Sweden summons Iranian ambassador over dual national sentence The Iranian-Swedish national was arrested during Iran’s June war with Israel for allegedly spying on Israel’s behalf. Iran
Analysis Militant merger in Iran’s Baluchistan signals new threat to Tehran The group’s outreach to broader ethnic communities reflects a strategic bid for wider legitimacy and a role in the wider struggle against the Islamic Republic. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Culture World Cup: Iran fumes over LGBTQ+ themes as Jordan qualifies for first time Morocco is hoping to build on its historic run in 2022, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others in the region similarly vying to build on recent successes. Iran
Feature A year since Assad’s fall, Aleppo trial tests Syria’s transitional justice Syria recently launched its first open trial on the deadly sectarian violence in March, but questions about judicial independence and political influence make the upcoming hearings a major test of accountability in post-Assad Syria as the first anniversary of Assad’s fall approaches. By Alessandra Bajec
Egypt clears police officers of Giulio Regeni murder Italian authorities charged four Egyptian police personnel and gave them until today to present evidence in their defense. Egypt
UN condemns Trump's pardon of contractors involved in killing of Iraqis A UN Human Rights Office expert said that the pardon of the men involved in the 2007 Nisour Square massacre undermines the obligation of states to hold war criminals accountable. Iraq
Biden’s national security adviser criticizes Saudi Arabia for jailing women’s rights activist Jake Sullivan called the sentencing of activist Loujain al-Hathloul "troubling." Saudi Arabia
Erdogan blasts European court's ruling on jailed Kurdish leader The European Court of Human Rights said the imprisonment of Selahattin Demirtas had violated his basic rights. Turkey
Europe human rights court calls on Turkey to release Demirtas Europe’s top human rights court ruled Wednesday for the "immediate release" of Selahattin Demirtas, former co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), who has been imprisoned for more than four years in Turkey on terror-related charges. Turkey
Turkish court extends detention of philanthropist Osman Kavala Kavala is charged with espionage and "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order” in connection with the failed 2016 coup. Turkey
Iran to execute man arrested as teenager, Amnesty says Mohammad Hassan Rezaiee, who was arrested at the age of 16, has spent more than a decade on death row. Iran
Saudi Arabia seeking 20-year sentence for jailed women’s activist Loujain al-Hathloul's sister said the state prosecutor is seeking the maximum sentence in a trial rights groups say is grossly unfair. Saudi Arabia
Migrants allege abuse, degrading conditions in Saudi deportation center A new report from Human Rights Watch describes squalid conditions at a facility detaining mostly Ethiopian migrants in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s Rouhani dismisses outcry over journalist’s execution Iran hanged journalist and blogger Ruhollah Zam on Saturday after a court found him guilty of "corruption on earth." Iran
Egypt's Sisi readies for chillier reception in Washington Experts say mixed signals on the part of President Sisi suggest nervousness about the incoming Biden administration. Egypt
Amnesty blasts Airbnb for settlement listings as company goes public The London-based rights group called on Airbnb to unlist around 200 rental properties in the West Bank. Israel
