Iran hangs 16 “rebels” in revenge for an attack by an unspecified armed group on the country’s border with Pakistan that left 14 border guards dead.
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The attack took place near the Iranian town of Saravan, in south eastย Iran on Saturday. State television said the armed group had crossed theย border from Pakistan and ambushed the guards, before fleeing back outย of the country.
Hours later 16 rebels were executed, local judicial official Mohammad Marzieh was quoted as saying.
Theย report provided few other details of the hangings. It did not mention aย trial, suggesting the prisoners may already have been convicted andย sentenced to death, and their executions moved up after the ambush.
Stateย news agency IRNA said Iranian authorities are now investigating if theย attack was by drug smugglers, who operate in the mountainous area, or anย opposition group.
More than 100 people have been executed in Iranย this year, according to Amnesty International. Death sentences are mostย commonly handed out for drugs offences.
