Iranian regime has forced the pace of mass executions since the beginning of the year. 10 people were executed by hanging this morning in Kerec prison close to Tehran.

There has been a massive increase in executions in Iran where the economic and social crisis have been deepening. State television reported this morning that 10 people stated to be convicted of drug trafficking were executed by hanging this morning in Kerec prison close to Tehran. The identities of executed weren’t informed.

Since the beginning of January, according to the records of ANF, at least 60 people were executed by hanging in Iran. Among these, there are also political prisoners. With China, Saudi Arabia and the United States, Iran takes place among the countries in the world that have experienced the most executions. Executions have showed an increase especially since Mahmud Ahmedinejad’s becoming President.

Rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery can result with death penalties in Iran. However, the Iranian regime uses execution most of the time to suppress social responses, to get revenge and to give political message. Many prisoners were sentenced to death without a fair trial, after only a few minute-lasting trials.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil