Iran executes foreign national over January protests

Iran's judiciary said Thursday it executed Ghaem Hosseini, described as a foreign national, over involvement in an incident during January anti-government protests in which four police officers were killed.

The judiciary's Mizan Online website said Hosseini was hanged after the Supreme Court reviewed the case and upheld the sentence. It did not disclose his nationality.

Mizan Online said Hosseini was convicted of drawing a weapon, causing fear and terror, creating widespread insecurity, acting against people's physical integrity and national security, and seriously disrupting public order.

The judiciary report said the case related to an incident in central Isfahan province. Iran has hanged four others over the same case since July, it said.

The protests began over the high cost of living before growing into widespread anti-government demonstrations. Iranian authorities have reported more than 3,000 deaths.

On Sunday, Iran executed another man after convicting him of running over several police officers with his car during the protests.

Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, and Together Against the Death Penalty, based in Paris, said Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people last year, a record high since 1989. Amnesty International says Iran carries out the second highest number of executions after China.