Iran executes dissident journo

Iran has executed a once-exiled journalist over his online work that helped inspire nationwide economic protests in 2017, authorities have said. Iranian state media said Ruhollah Zam was hanged early on Saturday morning. In June, a court sentenced Zam to death, saying he had been convicted of "corruption on Earth" – a charge often used in cases involving espionage or attempts to overthrow Iran's government. Iranian officials have accused the United States as well as Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia and government opponents living in exile of stoking the unrest, which began in late 2017 as regional protests over economic hardship spread nationwide. Zam, who was captured in 2019 after years in exile, has been accused of being in direct contact with foreign agents.

Source: Reuters

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