Death toll of Iran's protests rises to 2,003

DUBAI – The US-based HRANA rights group said on Tuesday it had verified the deaths of 2,003 people during Iran's protests, including 1,850 protesters, 135 government-affiliated individuals, nine people aged under 18, and nine non-protester civilians. 

Iranian authorities said on Tuesday they will press charges punishable by death against some individuals arrested during recent demonstrations, prosecutors, as concern grew that one man arrested during the protests already risks imminent execution.

The office of the Tehran prosecutor said in a statement quoted by state television that an unspecified number would be charged with "moharebeh", or "waging war against God", a sharia law term which is a capital offence in Iran and used widely in the past in death penalty cases.

"A number of rioters whose charges are consistent with moharebeh will soon be sent to court," it said.

Rights groups have said hundreds, and potentially even higher numbers, have been killed in the protests.