Iran must release protesters sentenced to death

After a series of mysterious explosions, renewed economic hardship and the toll of the coronavirus, the people of Iran face another sobering reality. On Tuesday, the Iranian Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of three men, all in their 20s, for taking part in last year's anti-government protests.

Due to be executed within days, Amirhossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi are accused of filming the demonstrations and providing footage to international news agencies. According to Amnesty, their trial was unfair and the men said they were “subjected to torture through beatings, electric shocks and being hung upside down”. Now they face death by hanging for spreading the truth and showing to the world the true face of the regime.

The three have done nothing to deserve such harsh punishment. They are among thousands of Iranians who took to the streets to demonstrate against a sudden hike in fuel prices last November. The movement soon turned political, with protesters demanding the fall of a regime that has repressed its people for the past 40 years.

Instead of hearing the plea of Iranians, who demanded a right to liberty and better living conditions, the regime killed and tortured its people. According to Reuters, 1,500 were killed in two weeks as Iranian authorities quashed dissenting voices across the country. They also temporarily cut off the internet to hide their crimes from the eyes of the world.

The brutality of the crackdown has failed to silence Iranians. Many on social media have spoken out against the executions. On Tuesday evening, a hashtag that translates as "don't execute" was a top trend on Twitter in Iran and at number eight worldwide. The phrase was used more than 1.5 million times before another internet blackout engulfed Iran in the late hours of the night.

The men on death row and others like them who have dared to stand up to a repressive regime should be hailed for their courage, not doomed. Iran must release the protesters and refrain from causing them more harm. Instead of investigating and punishing ordinary people simply because they asked for a decent life in their own country, authorities should hold accountable those who violated the basic rights of their citizens.

The men face death by hanging for spreading the truth and showing to the world the true face of the regime

The people of Iran have endured decades of oppression. Even as economic sanctions on Tehran, meant to deter the regime, have increased, authorities have refused to cease their hostile approach to the west and to their Arab neighbours. Since the 1980s Tehran has funded armed proxies throughout the Middle East, destabilising entire countries and promoting chaos abroad. This strategy has diverted much-needed funds that could have been utilised to develop the economy and robbed Iranians of job opportunities.

In demanding a better life, the three men have done nothing wrong and must be released. The injustice they face is a reminder that if the international community does not take action the Iranian regime will continue to act with impunity, within its own borders and beyond.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Price: From Dh117,059

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Know before you go

Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

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Tips to stay safe during hot weather

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km