14/01/2011 10:35
Iran hangs five convicted drug smugglers
Iran hanged on Thursday five people convicted of smuggling drugs, Reuters reported citing the official IRNA news agency.
They were executed inside a prison in the western city of Khoramabad, according to the report.
"They had procured and distributed narcotics and they were hanged after another court had confirmed their sentences," IRNA said.
Human rights groups criticize Iran for maintaining one of the highest execution rates in the world.
Murder, adultery, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and apostasy -- the renouncing of Islam -- are all punishable by death under Iran's Islamic law, practiced since the 1979 revolution. Earlier this month, Iran said it had executed eight convicted drug smugglers and four kidnappers.