IRAN. SEVEN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN VOLATILE REGION

February 15, 2006: an Iranian court sentenced seven individuals to death for allegedly playing a role in twin bombings in the south-western city of Ahwaz that occurred in January, the state-run daily Iran reported.
The report quoted Iran’s Minister of Justice Jamal Karimi-Rad as saying that a number of other individuals also received prison sentences.
Some 45 people had been arrested in connection with the bombings.
At least eight people died and dozens were injured when two bombs exploded at a bank and a government building in the oil-rich city on January 24.
A string of senior Iranian officials have accused Britain of being behind the bombings.
Ahwaz, the capital of the Arab-dominated province of Khuzestan, has been the scene of unremitting anti-government protests since the start of 2005. Iran has pointed the finger at Britain as the primary instigator of anti-government violence in Khuzestan. (Sources: Iran focus, 15/02/2006)