Iran hangs 20 Sunni Muslim prisoners over “armed attacks”August 5, 2016 - 11:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran has hanged up to 20 Sunni Muslim prisoners it says were involved in armed attacks, BBC News reports. State media said the group was executed on Tuesday, August 4 and was responsible for killing women and children between 2009 and 2011. Iran, which is predominantly Shia, executed at least 977 people last year, according to Amnesty International. Rights groups have criticised the latest executions, saying the trials were unfair. The US-based group, International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, said one of the men hanged, Shahram Ahmadi, claimed that the entire case against him was built on a forced confession. None of the men's families were allowed to visit them before they were hanged, the organisation said. Prosecutor-general Mohammad Javad Montazeri told Iranian television the men came from Kurdish areas and belonged to the extremist Tawhid and Jihad group. Last year, Amnesty International said there had been a huge spike in the number of people executed in Iran, adding that courts were often "completely lacking in independence and impartiality". The organisation said Iran was the second most prolific executioner in the world last year, after China, which executed more than 1,000 people. After Iran, Pakistan executed 326 people, and Saudi Arabia 158 people, Amnesty International said. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |