Iran tortures dad to death for using internet, executes karate champ in regime’s latest bloody crackdowns
Reports from Iran describe two recent cases that have intensified concerns about the government’s treatment of its citizens during the ongoing conflict.
Hesam Alaeddin, a 40-year-old father of two, is said to have died after being taken into custody for allegedly using Starlink to access the internet, which has been restricted since fighting between Iran and the United States began on Feb. 28. According to reports, security forces searched his home, discovered the device, and assaulted him there. He later died from his injuries.
News of his death was shared publicly by Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former monarch, who accused the government of killing Alaeddin under torture and criticized the country’s prolonged internet shutdown. Reports indicate Alaeddin had been detained within the previous two weeks. His body was reportedly withheld from his family until they agreed not to speak about the circumstances of his death. He was eventually buried under heavy security.
Starlink, a satellite-based internet system, allows users to connect online even in areas where access is restricted, making it a tool for bypassing government-imposed blackouts. Iranian authorities have long used internet shutdowns as a means of controlling information, and recent restrictions have been described as particularly severe amid the ongoing conflict. Observers say such measures limit both internal communication and the flow of information to the outside world.
In a separate case, Sassan Azadvar Joonqani, a 21-year-old karate athlete, was executed after being accused of cooperating with hostile forces and committing offenses against the state. Reports say he had been arrested on Jan. 8 after attending a protest. Authorities alleged he attacked a police vehicle, though his legal representation maintained there was no evidence supporting that claim.
According to reports, Joonqani was subjected to physical and psychological pressure while in custody and ultimately confessed before being sentenced to death. He was executed on Thursday.
Human rights organizations have reported a significant number of executions in Iran since the conflict began, with estimates suggesting at least 145 people have been put to death. Many of these executions have reportedly been carried out by hanging, sometimes in public settings, which critics say is intended to discourage dissent among the population.
Despite a ceasefire that began April 7, reports of arrests, harsh punishments, and executions have continued to emerge, raising ongoing concerns among international observers about the situation inside the country.
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