Iran hangs Iranian-Dutch woman for drug smuggling
Iran hanged on Saturday, Iranian Zahra Bahrami Dutch woman for the sale and possession of drugs, which has rejected repeated calls from the Netherlands who had inquired about his case.
Bahrami execution is the latest in a series of decorations made by the Islamic Republic in January. His execution, the total number of people hanged in Iran so far this year to 66, according to media reports.
"A drug dealer named Zahra Bahrami, Ali's daughter, was hanged on Saturday morning after being found guilty of the sale and possession of drugs," said the Tehran prosecutor's office.
Bahrami, has 46 years of Iranian origin naturalized Dutch, was arrested in December 2009 after participating in a demonstration against the government, while visiting relatives in the Islamic republic.
The prosecutor confirmed on Saturday he had been arrested for "crimes against national security."
But later his alleged drug trafficking, the bureau said Bahrami had spent his Dutch connections smuggle drugs into Iran.
"The prisoner, a member of the international drug gang that smuggled cocaine in Iran to use its contacts with the Dutch and twice was transported and distributed cocaine within the country," he said.
During a search of his home, authorities found 450 grams of cocaine and 420 grams of opium, the prosecutor's office, adding that the investigation revealed that it had sold 150 grams of cocaine in Iran.
"The revolutionary court condemned to death for possession of 450 grams of cocaine and participate in the sale of 150 grams of cocaine," he said.
Netherlands had requested information on the case Bahrami and accused the Iranian authorities to deny access to the Dutch embassy detained because they do not recognize the dual nationality.
"I can not confirm (the execution). Iranian media announced the news, we have not yet been contacted by the Iranian authorities," Bengt van Loosdrecht, the Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman.
Dutch Foreign Minister on January 5, Uri Rosenthal expressed his "deep concern" about Bahrami, and said he had "asked the Iranian authorities to provide immediate clarification" on him anyway.
"We insist on information, the ability to provide consular assistance, and a course of justice," Rosenthal said in a statement at the time.
Dutch broadcaster Radio Nederland, citing Najebpour Bahrami Banafsheh daughter had reported earlier this month that Bahrami is awaiting trial in a case of a second capital, where he was accused of being part of an armed opposition group.
Bahrami executions brought the total number of people hanged so far this year in the Islamic republic in the 66th
There was an increase in executions by hanging in Iran this year, including convicted drug traffickers.
A wave of murders has been criticized by Catherine Ashton, the European leader and advisor to the diplomatic negotiations between world powers and Iran over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.
"The European Union is deeply concerned about the use of the death penalty in Iran. Executions take place at an alarming rate," she said Thursday.
Ashton statement came after Iran's state media on Thursday by hanging in 1910 of drug traffickers.
"The abhorrent practices, such as public executions and the suspension is hanging still be used, contrary to Iran? International obligations," added Ashton, reiterated the EU's overall opposition to capital punishment.
With China, Saudi Arabia and the United States, Iran has one of the greatest number of executions each year, adultery, murder, drug trafficking and all other major crimes the death penalty.