Britain 'appalled' by Iran hangings
AFP
LONDON- Britain said Thursday it was "appalled" by the reported hanging of two men in Iran convicted of being Mohareb (enemies of God), the first executions of dissidents since post-election protests.
"I am appalled by reports that Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmani Pour were hanged this morning in Iran," said Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
"The trials and now these subsequent executions undermine Iran's claimed commitment to justice, human rights and democratic values."
Arash Rahmani Pour
Miliband praised the determination of protestors, saying they showed "the strength of desire for democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms amongst ordinary Iranians."
"These latest executions appear to be politically motivated and yet another attempt by the regime to silence dissent," he said.
"I call on the Iranian Government to meet the human rights obligations to which it is committed."
As well as convictions for being enemies of God, the pair were also charged with plotting to topple the Islamic regime, ISNA news agency said, quoting the Tehran prosecutor's office.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------