Germany concerned over ‘show trials’ of protesters in Iran

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Wednesday expressed concerns over reports of trials of anti-government protesters in Iran.

"Of course, we know of the reports on these trials. Of course, these are largely show trials and of course, we also condemn these trials," Christian Wagner told media representatives in Berlin.

"We have repeatedly condemned the repression of the regime there against its own people," he added.

Asked about calls by Amnesty International for western observers to attend those trials, Wagner said it was "extremely difficult" to have access to those court cases.

Earlier this month, Amnesty International said the Iranian government was seeking the death penalty for at least 21 people in “sham trials” designed to intimidate those who take part in anti-government protests.

In a statement on Wednesday, Amnesty added that trials are to deter other people to join the pro-freedom movement.

“The Iranian authorities must immediately quash all death sentences, refrain from seeking the imposition of the death penalty and drop all charges against those arrested in connection with their peaceful participation in protests, said Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, its abhorrent nature further compounded by fundamentally flawed criminal trials devoid of transparency or independence,” she added.

Iran has been roiled by deadly protests since mid-September after the death of a 22-year-old Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code.

At least 448 people have been killed by security forces since protests erupted two months ago, according to Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO. More than 15,000 people have been arrested during the protests, human rights activists say.