The country’s ruling Islamist government has declared participants in ongoing anti-government protests across Iran as “Mohareb,” or “enemies of Allah.” Tehran has also threatened to execute active protesters on this charge.
A statement issued by the office of Iranian Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad on Saturday (date specified) said that under Article 186 of the constitution, those who take an armed stand against the Islamic Republic will be declared ‘Mohareb’. Under this article, the only punishment for ‘enemies of Allah’ is the death penalty.
The main reason behind the protests that have been going on across Iran for almost two weeks is the economic crisis. Due to long-term devaluation, the Iranian rial has become one of the weakest currencies in the world. Currently, about 994,000 Iranian rials are being traded against one US dollar. As a result, the common people have been suffering greatly due to severe inflation and rising cost of living.
The movement, which began with a strike by businessmen in the capital Tehran on December 28, quickly spread to 31 provinces of the country. The protests, which have intensified day by day, have brought the entire country to a virtual standstill.
The government has deployed security forces in several cities, including the capital, and cut off internet and mobile communications to quell the protests. On Saturday, the army and Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) were deployed alongside police and security forces. Several protesters were reported killed in clashes.