Israel’s government paves the way for early elections

News blog about the war in the Middle East

Israel’s government paves the way for early elections

The Israeli government is seeking early elections. Israel and the Emirates deepen their relationship. All developments in the news blog.

Another man has been executed in Iran in connection with the mass protests in January. As the Misan news agency, which is linked to the judiciary, reported, the death sentence against Mohammad Abbasi was carried out. Iran’s judiciary had accused him of stabbing a police officer during unrest in January. According to Misan, the incident occurred in Melard, a suburb west of the capital Tehran. The Supreme Court confirmed the verdict.

According to the human rights network HRANA, the death sentence was carried out in the early hours of the morning. In addition, Abbasi’s 25-year-old daughter is imprisoned in the notorious Ewin Prison. The network further reported, citing a newspaper report, that a lawyer was prevented from accessing the defendants.

Human rights groups have been criticizing the rigorous use of the death penalty in Iran for years and accusing the authorities of using executions as a means of intimidation. According to the Norway-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights, at least 1,639 people were executed last year, more than in 35 years.

Israel’s ruling coalition has filed a motion to dissolve parliament, paving the way for early elections. “The 25th Knesset will be dissolved before the end of its term,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party on Wednesday. According to Israeli media reports, the bill could be put to a vote on May 20.

Iranian Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi’s health has deteriorated significantly, according to her foundation. Recent findings showed clear progression of her vascular disease, it said.

Mohammadi’s medical team also announced that a central part of her nervous system, which is responsible for regulating blood pressure, had been functionally damaged. The 54-year-old is currently in a cardiology ward for further treatment. The foundation also said its medical team stressed that Mohammadi was unable to withstand further stress in prison. The Nobel Prize winner was transferred on Sunday from the city of Sanjan, where she is imprisoned, to a hospital in Tehran.