Iran executes man convicted of running over police during January protests

Iran has executed Shahram Sadeghi, who was convicted of deliberately driving his car into police officers during anti-government protests in the city of Karaj in January. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the execution on Sunday.

Sadeghi was accused of hitting seven police officers in Karaj on January 8, with one officer reportedly remaining in a coma for three months. The Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Sadeghi to death and ordered the confiscation of his assets, labeling his actions an "operational action" in favor of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups under Iran's espionage law. The Supreme Court upheld the sentence, which was carried out early Sunday, according to the judiciary.

In response to Iran's executions of protesters, the EU and 26 other countries issued a joint statement condemning the actions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the statement, which urged Iran to heed its people, take steps to respect human rights, immediately cease using the death penalty, and release those arbitrarily detained.

The executions and the international condemnation highlight the ongoing crackdown on dissent in Iran following the January protests.