Amnesty slams Iran over death penalty

Iran has sharply stepped up its use of public executions, according to Amnesty International.

More than a dozen men, including juveniles, have been hanged in public since the start of the year, the group says.

Its latest report on global human rights makes for grim reading when it comes to the Islamic Republic.

Amnesty says Iran acknowledged 252 executions last year but there were credible reports of more than 300 others.

Floggings and an increased number of amputations were carried out, it claims, also condemning arrests targeting opposition activists.

Murder, adultery, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and renouncing Islam are all punishable by death under Iran’s Islamic law.

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