29.01.2010

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on Iran

"On 28 January 2010, the Iranian authorities announced the execution of two people, Mr Mohammed Reza Alizamani and Mr Arash Rahmani, whom they described as "members of the monarchist opposition". Both men were sentenced to death in mass trials that followed the presidential election on 12 June 2009.

The European Union strongly condemns these two executions and expresses its profound concern at the death sencentes imposed on persons tried in these mass trials.

The European Union opposes the death penalty, whatever the circumstances.

It calls on the Iranian authoritiesd to suspend the sentences passed and to declare a moratoriun on all forms of capital punishment."