Sweden condemns execution of its citizen in Iran

A Swedish citizen has been executed in Iran, the Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, said on Wednesday. She summoned Iran’s ambassador in Stockholm in response and strongly condemned the decision.

The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained in Iran in June last year. Sweden had repeatedly raised his case with Iranian authorities and called for an explanation as well as respect for his rights.

The minister said Sweden, together with the European Union, regards the death penalty as inhumane, cruel and irreversible. She also stated that the legal proceedings leading to the execution failed to meet basic standards of a fair trial.

Neither Sweden’s foreign ministry nor the Iranian embassy in Stockholm immediately commented further on the case.

(reuters, lud)