Iran executed on Monday 23-year old Majid Rahnavard in the city of Mashhad, the second public execution of a protestor in less than two . 

Various Iranian websites ran photos of Rahnavard's execution, accused by the authorities of stabbing two Basij members with a knife on Nov. 17. He also allegedly stabbed four other individuals that day. According to Iranian authorities, Rahnavard had left Mashhad immediately and was apprehended when he tried to flee the country, the authorities said. During Rahnavard’s confession, which human rights workers say was obtained under duress, he expressed regret for his actions and said he realizes that the protests were a mistake. 

Rahnavard is the second protestor to be executed as a result of the protests. The first, Mohsen Shekari, was hanged last week. Shekari’s execution surprised many Iranians, because even what he was accused of did not seem to warrant such punishment. 

Nearly 500 people have been killed since the beginning of protests that erupted on Sept. 16 following the death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini who was arrested by Iran's so-called morality police. There have been thousands of arrests with over a dozen sentenced to death so far.