Increase in Death Penalty in Iran During Civil Unrest and Regional Conflict
Introduction
The Iranian judiciary has recently executed several people, including those convicted of political crimes and murder, following a period of domestic instability and international tension.
Main Body
The Iranian government recently confirmed the execution of three men—Mehdi Rasouli, Mohammad Reza Miri, and Ebrahim Dolatabadi—related to protests in Mashhad in January. The state claimed that Rasouli and Miri were agents for the Mossad who caused casualties among security forces, while Dolatabadi was described as a leader of the unrest. However, human rights organizations, such as Hengaw and HRANA, emphasized that these trials were not transparent and relied on confessions obtained through torture. They specifically argued that Dolatabadi was executed without enough evidence. At the same time, the state continued to use 'qisas' (retributive justice) for criminal cases. In Isfahan, four men were executed for murder. Furthermore, Sassan Azadvar Junaqani, a provincial karate champion, was executed on April 30. He was convicted of 'moharebeh' (enmity against God) and accused of working with the U.S. and Israel. Despite this, rights groups reported that he had limited access to legal help and was forced to confess. These executions are happening during a time of great instability. Protests began in December due to high inflation and the rising cost of living, leading to thousands of casualties by January. The Iranian government asserts that this unrest was organized by the U.S. and Israel. Consequently, the number of executions has increased since regional conflicts began on February 28. Data shows that Iran remains one of the countries with the highest number of executions in the world, with over 1,600 recorded last year.
Conclusion
The Iranian state continues to use the death penalty as a main tool to maintain internal security while facing regional conflicts and economic problems.
Learning
🧩 The 'Logic Bridge': Moving from Simple Sentences to Complex Connections
At the A2 level, you likely say: "The cost of living is high. People protested." To reach B2, you must stop using short, choppy sentences and start using Connectors of Cause and Effect. This allows you to explain why things happen in a sophisticated way.
⚡ The Power Shift
Look at these phrases from the text. They are the 'glue' that turns a basic story into a professional report:
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"Due to..." (A2: Because of)
- Example: "Protests began... due to high inflation."
- B2 Tip: Use this to introduce a reason quickly at the start or middle of a sentence.
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"Consequently..." (A2: So)
- Example: "Consequently, the number of executions has increased."
- B2 Tip: Use this at the start of a new sentence to show a direct result of the previous point. It sounds much more formal than "so."
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"Despite this..." (A2: But)
- Example: "Despite this, rights groups reported that he had limited access..."
- B2 Tip: Use this when the second fact surprises us or contradicts the first fact. It creates a 'contrast' that makes your English sound nuanced.
🛠️ Upgrade Your Vocabulary (The 'B2 Precision' List)
Instead of using generic words like 'said' or 'bad', the article uses High-Precision Verbs. Try to adopt these:
| A2 Word | B2 Upgrade | Context from Text |
|---|---|---|
| Said | Asserts | The government asserts that this unrest was organized... |
| Showed | Emphasized | Organizations emphasized that trials were not transparent... |
| Result | Casualties | ...caused casualties among security forces. |
💡 Pro Strategy: The 'Passive' Perspective
Notice how the text says: "confessions obtained through torture" instead of "they tortured people to get confessions."
Why? B2 speakers use the passive voice (or passive adjectives) to focus on the victim or the action, rather than the person doing it. This is essential for writing news, reports, or academic essays.