Jan 12, 2023
Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that on Tuesday, January 10th, the Islamic regime’s judiciary issued death sentences for at least 22 individuals, all among the protesters in the recent uprising.
The head of public relations of the Islamic Republic Supreme Court announced that Mohammad Boroughani’s execution order is temporarily suspended. While this is good news, public concerns are now even more increased about Mohammad Ghobadlou’s situation. Boroughani (19) and Ghobadlou (22) were both on the verge of execution and reportedly had been transferred to solitary confinement earlier this week for execution of their sentences. Currently, they are both out of solitary confinement.
Economy and Energy in Crisis
The World Bank announced a decrease in global economic growth due to high inflation rates, high-interest rates, lower investment rates, and issues from Russia’s war on Ukraine. According to this report, the anticipation for Iran’s GDP growth in 2023 is 2.2 and in 2024 is 1.9. In 2021 Iran’s GDP growth was 4.7.
The government of Ebrahim Raisi finally submitted the next [Persian] year's budget bill to the parliament with a delay of one month. Reports indicate a significant budget deficit. The official salary increase for the new Persian Year has been announced to be 20%, while the official inflation rate is over 40%.
With the beginning of winter, Iran has faced a serious crisis in gas supply in such a way that many factories have been forced to close or reduce their operations. Schools and offices have also been closed several times so far, and the government's petroleum ministry also urged people to conserve more on gas consumption.
It is worth mentioning that Iran has the second largest natural gas reserves in the world, holding more than 17% of global discovered gas fields.
Soraya Riahi Rad, poet, announced on her Instagram page that the court of Katayoun Riahi, the Iranian actress, was held on Wednesday, January 11. She said that while the cinema artists were informed about this issue, her trial was held in complete media silence. She added: "She was taken out of the court in an ambulance under the most severe threats and pressure."
Katayoun Riahi was one of the first artists who took off her hijab during the recent uprising in Iran and publicly announced her support.
She was arrested on November 20 and was released on bail after 9 days. She is accused of assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against the country's security and propaganda against the regime.