Tehran: Iran has hanged a journalist in 2017 for airing demonstrations in the country. Journalist Ruhulla Zam’s online work helped air the protests in 2017 about the economic situation. Iran’s state TV and state-run news agency Irna said Zam was hanged on Saturday morning. Zam was sentenced to death by a court in June. He was convicted of “corruption on earth” (fuss). This charge is often used in espionage cases or in cases of trying to overthrow the Iranian government.
A channel created on Zam’s website and messaging app ‘Telegram’ disseminated information about the timing of the demonstrations and also gave information about the authorities which posed a direct challenge to the Shiite doctrine of Iran. Demonstrations began in late 2017 which were the largest in Iran since the 2009 ‘Green Movement’ demonstration.
