Across Asia: Iran

Judge blasts executions

Iran's top judge said yesterday he would not succumb to political pressure from hardliners to carry out more executions against anti-government protesters, saying any such decision would be based on the law.

Iran hanged two people last week in connection with unrest that erupted after last year's disputed June presidential vote. The hangings were condemned by human rights groups and the West, which Iran accuses of backing the opposition.

"These demands (by hardliners) are political in nature and are against the law and Sharia," Sadeq Larijani was quoted as saying on the judiciary's official website Dadsara.

(China Daily 02/02/2010 page11)