The European Union has called on Iran to halt the executions of two Kurdish journalists sentenced to death on charges of being "enemies of God."
The EU's Portuguese presidency Friday appealed to Iran to provide the journalists with a fair trial, in accordance with the Iranian constitution and international human rights law.
This week, Iran's judiciary confirmed that Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed "Hiva" Botimar had been sentenced to death.
The two journalists wrote for the magazine "Asou" before it was banned in 2005.
Today's statement also expressed deep concern about a series of recent public executions and death sentences handed out by Iran's Supreme Court.
The EU, which opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, said it is particularly troubled by the repression of Iranians who freely express their opinions, especially those in minority Arab and Kurd regions.
Iran has held two public executions of multiple people in the past two weeks. Seven criminals were hanged in Mashhad Wednesday after being convicted of charges of rape, kidnapping and robbery.
Some information for this report provided gy AFP.
