Iranian TV Airs 'Confession' Of Protestor Majid-Reza Rahnavard, Executed On December 12 For 'Rebellion Against God'

On December 13, 2022, one day after 23-year-old Iranian protester Majid-Reza Rahnavard was executed by the Iranian regime for "rebellion against God" and for purportedly killing two Basij members, Iran's Channel 3 aired a video of Rahnavard "confessing" to his crimes. In the video, Rahnavard said that he was "the target of the enemy" and that he deserves being sentenced to death three times over.

According to human rights organizations and Iranian activists and dissidents, Rahnavard was denied access to legal representation throughout his interrogation and legal proceedings, had been tortured, and had given his confession under coercion. His trial was held on November 28, and he was hanged on December 12.

To learn more about the Iranian regime's execution of anti-regime protesters following the killing of Jina (Mahsa) Amini, see MEMRI TV Clips Nos. 9986, 9981, 9980.

Majid-Reza Rahnavard: "I was the target of the enemy. The enemy arrow hit the target, which was me. Unfortunately, my own arrow hit my brother [from the Basij]. If I were my own judge – and if I had to deliver a just sentence – I would have to be executed three times."