Iran publicly executes man for ‘enmity against God’

Germany summons Iranian envoy over execution of dissident

German foreign minister calls for 'immediate end' to executions in Iran

Germany summoned the Iranian ambassador on Saturday to protest the public execution of a man convicted of "enmity against God", the foreign ministry said, calling for an "immediate end" to such executions.

The Islamic republic on Saturday hanged Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, in public in the city of Mashhad, just three weeks after he was charged with killing two members of the security forces during anti-government protests.

The foreign ministry in Berlin said it had summoned the Iranian ambassador to express "our deep dismay and condemnation" over the execution.

"We demand an immediate end to the executions in Iran. The Iranian government must respect the right to life and physical integrity of its citizens," Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in a statement.

She also urged Iran to release all political prisoners and to "end the violent crackdown on peaceful protests".

Rahnavard's execution is the second known execution in connection with the protests that have gripped Iran since the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, in September.

On December 8, Mohsen Shekari, 23, was executed after being convicted of blocking a road and attacking a member of the security forces with a knife.

Rights groups say that at least 18 people have been sentenced to death in connection with the protests, and that many others are at risk of execution.

The executions have drawn international condemnation, with the United Nations, the European Union and the United States all calling for an immediate end to the use of the death penalty in Iran.

The Iranian government has defended the executions, saying that they are necessary to deter further violence.