美国国家公共电台 NPR--What Iran's execution of a prisoner linked to recent protests means for demonstrators

What Iran's execution of a prisoner linked to recent protests means for demonstrators

Transcript¹

This week, Iran executed a man linked to nationwide protests that have been going on for months after what human rights groups call a "sham² trial." Will it cause anti-regime protesters to back down?

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Iran held its first execution linked to nationwide anti-government protests there. Mohsen Shekari was hanged yesterday following what rights groups called a trial without due process. He was accused of this vague crime we've discussed on this program - waging war against God and allegedly attacking a member of the Iranian paramilitary forces. Let's discuss this now with Negar Mortazavi, who is a journalist and host of "The Iran Podcast." Welcome back.

NEGAR MORTAZAVI: Thanks for having me, Steve.

INSKEEP: Are you surprised that the government went ahead with this execution?

MORTAZAVI: Unfortunately, I don't think anyone who has been following their playbook is surprised. I was surprised at the speed of it - almost two months - very quickly, the way they got this through. And even though he was trying to appeal and denied the charges, they went ahead and basically executed him. But this seemed to be coming, and it's consistent with the comments and the, basically, tone that we've been hearing from Iranian officials. And also, with the bloody³ and violent repression⁴ that we're seeing on the streets from security forces, it all goes back into the playbook of them wanting to be rigid⁵, show no flexibility⁶ and crush these protests at every cost.

INSKEEP: Does this look like the first of many executions?

MORTAZAVI: It's hard to say how many. But so far, at least six have been handed the death penalty, and there's fear from human rights organizations that there could be as many as 20. I don't know at what speed they would do this. I think they're sort of testing the public opinion. They're also trying to send a message to instill fear that this is what's going to happen to you if you continue. But I think it could also backfire. This could generate even more anger and have more protesters on the streets, so they're - I think the state is also watching that very carefully.

INSKEEP: Well, let's let's continue to watch that ourselves as well. It's very early, but based on what you were able to gather from outside the country, how are people seeming to respond to news of this execution in Iran?

MORTAZAVI: I see a lot of outrage⁷ on social media, even from demographics that are not seen as completely opposed or dissident to the government - some who have been more sort of internal, more reformist or moderate voices that are speaking up against this. A prominent Sunni clergy⁸, Molavi Abdolhamid, has spoken out against it. The leader of the Green Movement, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who is on house arrest, has spoken against it. And basically, the tone is, first of all, this charge does not correspond to what he was accused of, and also that these kind of executions are not going to stop. The protesters are just going to generate more anger and more protests, as we've seen in the past - over 400 protesters killed. And every funeral seems to be turning into a new protest, with - bringing new people on the streets.

INSKEEP: Oh, let's talk briefly⁹ about new protests. I'm thinking about the news of this execution spreading to families of the thousands of people currently detained for their role in the protests. There must be any number of people across the country for whom this would be a very, very personal piece of news.

MORTAZAVI: Definitely. So it's not only the ones who have been already handed the death penalty. It's also the ones who are on the - basically waiting for their charges. And, as we know, thousands - over 15,000 protesters have been arrested. And the past has also shown - for example, in 2019, many of them were handed harsh sentences. So even if it's not the death penalty, it could be something very harsh - long prison sentences and such, and so the families are watching this with horror and fear.

INSKEEP: 2019 - an earlier round of protests. Negar Mortazavi, it's always a pleasure talking with you. Thank you so much.

MORTAZAVI: Thanks for having me, Steve.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 sham   

n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的)

参考例句：

• They cunningly played the game of sham peace.他们狡滑地玩弄假和平的把戏。
• His love was a mere sham.他的爱情是虚假的。

3 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

4 repression   

n.镇压，抑制，抑压

参考例句：

• The repression of your true feelings is harmful to your health.压抑你的真实感情有害健康。
• This touched off a new storm against violent repression.这引起了反对暴力镇压的新风暴。

5 rigid   

adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的

参考例句：

• She became as rigid as adamant.她变得如顽石般的固执。
• The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out.考试很严，几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。

6 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

7 outrage   

n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒

参考例句：

• When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
• We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。

8 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

9 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。