IRAN REPORTEDLY HANGED AROUND 80 AFGHANS OVER DRUG SMUGGLING

February 23, 2013: According to reports at least 80 Afghan civilians have been hanged by Iran over drugs and opium smuggling charges.
At least five individuals hanged by Iran were transferred to north-eastern Takhar province of Afghanistan on Saturday (February 23) and were buried in Kalafgan area, BBC reports.
A number of the close relatives of the executed individuals said around 80 Afghans were hanged by Iran during the past six months and the dead bodies of at least 50 individuals have been handed over to their families while the remaining individuals are kept in Iran.
Local residents of Kalafgan also claimed at last 700 Afghans have been arrested by Iran security forces and around 350 of the detainees are facing death penalty.
They also added that the detained Afghan individuals were used by drug smugglers were arrested by the Iranian security forces.
In the meantime Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai said Afghan foreign ministry is aware of the reports regarding the execution of Afghan civilians in Iran.
Mr. Mosazai further added that the foreign ministry of Afghanistan is following the reports through diplomatic approaches to find out if the reports are correct.
He said efforts have been put in place to find a diplomatic solution that should not compromise with the sovereignty of the Iranian judiciary institutions and on other hand the Afghan government should be able to defend Afghan citizens. (Sources: khaama.com, 23/02/2013)