Iran sentences 400 people to jail terms of up to 10 years over protests

Courts in and around the Iranian capital have jailed 400 people on charges related to recent protests, for terms of up to 10 years.

Tehran is one of 31 provinces in the country, meaning the total number of jail sentences is likely to be several times higher. UN human rights experts estimate that more than 14,000 people have been arrested across the country since mid-September.

The movement was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian woman who was allegedly beaten into a coma by morality police for wearing her headscarf the wrong way. But it has since morphed into the biggest civil uprising for years, with Iranians expressing their rage over decades of oppression, misogyny in the name of religion, and international isolation.

Authorities have responded with force, firing at and beating protesters. The UN office of the high commissioner for human rights has said more than 300 people have been killed in the crackdown, including at least 40 children.

In an attempt to prevent the rallies from spreading, Iran has imposed internet blackouts. More recently, and to dissuade dissent further, it has publicised harsh sentences handed out by its courts, including 11 death sentences, two of which have been carried out.

On Monday, authorities hanged a 23-year-old man from a construction crane after a rushed and secretive trial. Majidreza Rahnavard was accused of killing two pro-regime militia fighters. He was executed in public, his hands and feet bound and a black bag put over his head.

Last Thursday, authorities hanged Mohsen Shekari, who had been convicted of injuring a security guard with a knife.