Iran Hangs 22 People for Drug Trafficking

In a mass state executions Iran has announced hanging 22 people for drug trafficking. The hangings took place in two different jails in Tehran and Rajai Shahr. This was announced by the state owned newspaper which said "Subsequent to the trials of 22 big-time traffickers, the Islamic Revolutionary Court found them guilty based on the existing evidence and handed down execution sentences."

Despite worldwide criticism for the death penalty, Iran has stuck to it. They say that all the punishments amounting to death penalty are part of their Islamic justice system. Besides drug trafficking other crimes which can lead to death penalty are rape, murder, adultery, armed robbery, drug trafficking and apostasy, the renouncing of Islam.

Iran stands at the top of the world when it comes to the execution of the death penalty per capita rate. However, China is number one in the total number of death penalities being executed, while Iran is second.

Iran is used as a route by the drug traffickers to smuggle drugs from the bordering Afghanistan to other countries particularly Western countries. Iran says that it has lost more than 3500 security troops in their war against the drug traffickers since 1979.