Reports: Iran uses war as cover for increased executions

Article excerpt

Human rights groups report that Iran has accelerated executions during the ongoing regional conflict, using the turmoil as cover to intensify capital punishment while suppressing dissent. Iran already executes more people per capita than nearly any other nation; activists say the wartime environment provides a convenient pretext for further killings. The reports suggest authorities are capitalizing on reduced international scrutiny and domestic attention diverted by military operations to carry out additional death sentences, including cases involving political prisoners and those convicted of security-related charges.