Protests Against Execution of Panahi in Iran Banned in İstanbul, Ankara

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The demonstrations, which were to be held in front of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General of Iran in Istanbul against the capital punishment of Kurdish activist Ramin Hossein Panahi, were prevented by the police today (September 3).

The group, among whom were also the MPs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), wanted to make a statement condemning the execution of Panahi in front of the foreign representatives of Iran in Ankara and Istanbul, which was prevented by the police.

The family of Panahi, who has been given death penalty in Iran on charges of "enmity against Allah" and "membership of an armed organization" and whose sentence was previously reprieved, has stated that Panahi will be executed on September 6.

According to the figures shared by the Amnesty International, 507 people were executed in Iran in 2017.

Kerestecioğlu: This attack is an approval of death penalty

While the MPs and Ankara Provincial Organization of the HDP were prevented from placing a black wreath and reading out a statement in front of the Iranian Embassy in the capital city of Ankara, three of the people who gathered in front of the Consulate General of Iran in Istanbul have been taken into custody.

Speaking about the intervention of the police, the HDP Ankara MP Filiz Kerestecioğlu has said, "As you have seen, we have experienced the confirmation of the oppression and fascism. It is also a approval and confirmation of death penalty."

Message by Panahi: I am a civilian activist

Panahi's family has also shared a video message on social media, where Panahi has said,

"I would like to extend my thanks to my people and the ones supporting me. I am an activist in favor of the freedom of the people of Kurdistan. I would like to thank the people of both Kurdistan and Iran for their support.

"I deny the charges brought against me once again. I am not a terrorist. I am a civilian activist. I have been struggling for the freedom of the people of Iran and especially the freedom of the people of Kurdistan." (AS/SD)