However, the Iranian government has been doing everything in its capacity to silence the protesters.

In the latest development in the country, a 23-year-old man was in what is the second execution linked to the recent anti-government protests.

Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was hanged early on Monday, December 12 in the city of Mashhad, Iran's judiciary said. Human rights groups have warned that protesters are being sentenced to death after sham trials with no due process.

Rahnavard was denied a lawyer of his choice for his trial. The lawyer he was given did not put up a defence.

His mother was not told of the execution until after his death according to reports.

His family members were then given the name of a cemetery and a plot number. When the family turned up at the cemetery, security agents were burying his body.

Iranian opposition activist collective 1500tasvir said in a tweet that the family were telephoned by an official at 07:00 local time and said: "We have killed your son and buried his body in Behesht-e Reza cemetery."