Two men hanged in Iran

AFP: Two Iranian men were hanged in prison on Monday in Yasooj, southwestern Iran, for murdering three people in a fight, Hambastegi daily reported Wednesday. Hatam Jarideh Kish, 38, and Ali Fath Hemati, 50, were convicted of killing two men and a woman in a village in Kohkilouyeh and
Boyerahmad provinces in summer 1997, the report said. AFP

TEHRAN – Two Iranian men were hanged in prison on Monday in Yasooj, southwestern Iran, for murdering three people in a fight, Hambastegi daily reported Wednesday.

Hatam Jarideh Kish, 38, and Ali Fath Hemati, 50, were convicted of killing two men and a woman in a village in Kohkilouyeh and Boyerahmad provinces in summer 1997, the report said.

Since the start of the year, Iran has executed 11 people, according to AFP witnesses and reports in the Iranian press.

Based on press reports, AFP recorded 97 death penalties in 2004.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International reported at least 159 people were executed in Iran — the highest rate in the world after China.

Murder, armed attacks, rape, apostasy and drug trafficking of more than five kilograms (11 pounds) are punishable by death in Iran.