Karaj

Karaj is a city located northwest of Tehran, Iran. Recent news reports highlight it as a site of significant anti-government protests sparked by economic crisis and broader discontent. These protests have been met with a harsh response from Iranian authorities, including the use of lethal force against demonstrators. Karaj gained international attention due to the arrest of Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old protester, who was initially sentenced to death, marking the first such sentence connected to the recent unrest. While the judiciary initially denied the scheduled execution, Soltani's fate remains uncertain, raising concerns about the potential for capital punishment being used against protesters. The events in Karaj reflect the broader crackdown on dissent in Iran and the escalating tensions between the government and its citizens.