Iran on Wednesday announced the execution of a Kurdish militant accused of killing a policeman, who was condemned by human rights activists who described the convicted as a “political prisoner”, AFP reported.

“Arash Ahmadi, also known as Sarkot, a member of the Komal terrorist group, was executed this morning,” state television announced.

The 29-year-old man was accused of killing police officer Hassan Maleki in August 2018 in Rawansar, a city in the western province of Kermanshah.

Television showed footage that allegedly shows the confessions of the accused.

Such videos are often condemned by human rights groups, who claim that such confessions are often obtained under coercion and torture.

Human rights groups abroad said the detainee was arrested in early 2021 while trying to flee to Europe after being convicted of murder. He has always denied the allegations.

Arash Ahmadi was hanged in Kermanshah prison early Wednesday, according to separate statements by the Norwegian group for human rights in Iran (IHR), Hengaw, which advocates for the rights of Iranian Kurds, and the France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network.

According to these groups, the execution took place in secret.

They added that the activist was a member of the Kurdish Komal party, banned and labeled terrorist by Tehran, which demands autonomy for Kurdish-populated regions of Iran.

According to sources, he spent some time in Iraq, where Komala’s leadership is based, before returning to Iran. (photo: Dremstime)