Iranian authorities arrest father of executed protesters

Karami’s father, Mashallah Karami, was arrested Tuesday in a raid by security forces at his home ahead of Amini death anniversary

 TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian authorities have reportedly arrested the father of an executed protester as the death anniversary of another demonstrator approaches.

Mohammad Mehdi Karami was arrested and executed in December for his participation in the nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in September.

Karami’s father, Mashallah Karami, was arrested Tuesday in a raid by security forces at his home.

Karami family’s electronic devices were confiscated in the raid.

Mohammad Mehdi Karami and another protester, Mohammad Hosseini, were both sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in the death of a member of the paramilitary forces during an anti-government demonstration.

Karami and Hosseini had denied the charges against them and said they were tortured in prison.

In recent weeks, Iranian officials have expressed concern about a possible escalation of protests in the run-up to September 16, the anniversary of Amini’s death.

In addition to Karami’s father, several other civilian activists and protesters have been arrested or summoned in recent days.

At least 500 people have been killed since protests erupted following the death of Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman.

She was arrested while visiting Tehran for allegedly violating the country’s hijab law and died.

Authorities accused the West of inciting the protests and promised to crack down even harder on the demonstrations.