11 March 2010 - 12H45  

Iran hangs two convicted drug traffickers: report
An official prepares for a public execution in Tehran in 2002. Iran has hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the Shiite shrine city of Qom.
An official prepares for a public execution in Tehran in 2002. Iran has hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the Shiite shrine city of Qom.

AFP - Iran has hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the Shiite shrine city of Qom, Iranian media reported on Thursday.

The Arman newspaper said the men, identified only as Hamid Kh. and Zeinolabedeen Gh., were executed on Wednesday.

Both had previously been involved in drug-related crime, the paper said without giving additional information.

The latest hangings bring to at least 29 the number of people executed in Iran so far this year, according to an AFP count based on news reports. Last year, at least 270 people were hanged in the Islamic republic.

Tehran says the death penalty is essential to maintain public security and applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are all punishable by death in Iran.

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