Iran hangs seven more men in execution 'spree'

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran has executed seven more men in an execution ‘spree’, according to the human rights group. Three men were executed at Ghezel Hesar prison and four men were executed at Rajai Shahr Prison in the city of Karaj over drugs and rape charges, respectively.

Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online website confirmed the execution of three men. Iranian authorities accused the three men of becoming a member of a cocaine distribution cartel in Iran.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO slammed Iran for executing people. Human rights activists slammed Iran as a “hanging spree.”

The high number of execution in Iran has prompted international NGOs to condemn the country. Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, slammed Iran because it executed a "frighteningly" high number of people this year. He also urged the Iranian authorities to stop execution in the country.

Ravina Shamdasani, a Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, said that Iranian authorities executed most people on drug-related charges. Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam, a human rights advocate and the IHR director, called Iran a killing machine.

Recently, Iran hanged two men on charges of spreading blasphemy. The United States and Amnesty International condemned Iran and urged the government to stop executing people.

Iranian authorities also executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chaab for allegedly spreading terrorism. Iranian authorities accused Chaab of becoming a member of the Harakat al-Nidal separatist group. Sweden and the European Union (EU) condemned Iran for executing Chaab.

Sweden summoned Iran’s acting ambassador. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “The death penalty is an inhuman and irreversible punishment.”

The UN also said that 22 people from the Baluch minority were also executed in Iran in the last 15 days. According to the UN, more than ten people are put to death each week in Iran.