Monday, February 2, 2009

Iran hangs three murderers: reports

TEHRAN — Three Iranians convicted of murder have been hanged in the south of the country, local newspapers reported on Saturday.
One man convicted of killing two people and identified by only his first name Heshmat was hanged last week in prison in the town of Kazeroon, the government newspaper Iran said.
Two other men were executed on Wednesday in Adel-Abad prison in the southern town of Shiraz, the Etemad newspaper reported.
The latest hangings bring to at least 41 the number of executions in Iran so far this year. Iran executed at least 246 people last year, according to an AFP count.
Last year the Islamic republic stepped up its use of the death penalty in what it says is a bid to improve security in society.
Amnesty International says Iran carried out more death sentences in 2007 than any other country apart from China which executed 317 people.
Capital offences in Iran include murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery.
AFP