IRAN

Six of 11 people due to be hanged simultaneously in Iran were executed, state radio reported. Three of the condemned men were forgiven by the victims´ families, and thereby spared, while the radio said the hanging of the remaining two had been put off till later. The Supreme Court recently confirmed sentences on the men, mostly aged between 20 and 30. Their names were not revealed. All were found guilty of at least one murder. It is the first time for several years that such a large number of people have been hanged on the same day in Iran. The executions were in accordance with Iran´s Islamic law of qesas – or the principle of justice that takes an eye for an eye in retribution – in force since the 1979 Islamic revolution here. The families of the victims can, however, offer their pardons in exchange for "dieh" (blood money), or simply to "please God". Iran has carried out at least six executions so far this year.