Netherlands recalls Ambassador from Iran

The Netherlands has recalled its Ambassador to Tehran for consultations following Iran's execution last week of a Dutch-Iranian woman on drug smuggling charges, officials said Monday, according to DPA.

Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, speaking in Amman on Monday, said the government was protesting the 'lack of respect' towards the family of Sahra Bahrami, a self-declared opponent of the Iranian government.

Iranian authorities reportedly buried the body of 46-year-old Bahrami in an undisclosed location some 400 kilometres from Tehran. Relatives, including Bahrami's daughter who lives in the Netherlands, could not attend the funeral.

According to the public prosecutor in Tehran, the woman was hanged on January 29 following conviction on charges of 'possession of 450 grams of cocaine and the sale of 150 grams of cocaine.'

The Dutch government froze diplomatic relations with Tehran following her execution and amid growing suspicion that was tortured to death. Rosenthal described the execution of Bahrami as a 'shameful act by a barbaric regime.'

Bahrami was arrested after taking part in protests in late 2009 against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The drug charges were brought by revolutionary court in January 2010. Bahrami was denied access to Dutch consular services in Iran, which argues that it does not recognize dual citizenship.