Iran judiciary chief vows to accelerate trials for detained protesters

Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, declared on Wednesday that trials for protesters detained during nationwide demonstrations will be accelerated to ensure swift judicial action. During a visit to a detention facility, he emphasized the urgency of the process, stating, "If action is to be taken, it must be taken now," and warned that delays of "two or three months" would diminish its effect.

Rapid Prosecutions Amid Widespread Arrests

The call for expedited trials follows weeks of protests sparked by economic grievances, which Iranian authorities have blamed on foreign-backed "riots" and "terrorism." While official casualty and arrest figures have not been released, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates at least 2,500 fatalities and over 18,000 detentions since the unrest began. Mohseni-Ejei's directive signals an intent to move quickly from detention to prosecution, likely under national security charges.

International Condemnation and US Response

The judiciary chief's announcement came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged support for Iranian protesters, posting on his Truth Social platform, "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. Help is on its way." Tehran has consistently accused the United States and Israel of instigating the unrest, framing the protests as a foreign-backed plot rather than domestic dissent.

Legal and Human Rights Implications

Rights groups have raised alarms over the lack of due process, coerced confessions, and the potential for harsh sentences, including the death penalty, in such expedited trials. The push for rapid judicial proceedings is viewed as part of a broader effort to quell dissent through deterrence. With a near-total internet blackout ongoing for over 130 hours, independent monitoring of trial proceedings and detainee conditions remains severely limited.