Iran Executes MEK Members for Attacks, Filming Actions

Iran executed two members of the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK), Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani-Eslamloo, after convicting them of targeting civilian infrastructure in Tehran with homemade projectiles and manufacturing launchers and mortars in a safe house. The judiciary stated that the men filmed their attacks for MEK-linked media, allegedly seeking to disrupt national security. They were charged with 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), armed rebellion, and destruction of public property, with their death sentences upheld by Iran's Supreme Court. The MEK, formerly active against the Shah's regime and US targets in the 1970s, has operated from exile since the Iranian Revolution and was listed as a terrorist group by the US and EU until 2012. Human rights organizations note that Iran has the second highest execution rate in the world after China. It remains unclear if the attacks were connected to recent hostilities between Iran and Israel, though Iran continues to accuse opposition groups of supporting foreign adversaries.