London: Data released by Iran Human Rights shows that the Iranian government has hanged more than 500 people this year.

The growth in performance, more than 50% from the 333 recorded in 2021, represents a sharp turnaround after years of decline. The numbers are likely to rise given the harsh government retaliation for the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

Yesterday, five more death sentences were handed down to protesters for the killing of a security personnel, bringing the total number of death sentences as a result of the protests to 11.

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Meanwhile, nine people have been charged with involvement in the murder of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020. Fakhrizadeh's death has been attributed to Israel's Mossad security service.

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Ibrahim Raisi, the recently elected president and a former prosecutor, was a key player in the murderous rampage of the 1980s that led to the execution of thousands of opposition supporters.

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His election last year is seen as a reflection of the growing power of hardliners in Iranian politics, as well as an increase in the number of executions.