Iran Hits Back at West for Criticism of Executions
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman rejected as interference the expression of concern by certain Western officials and by a UN commissioner about the execution of terrorists in Iran.
Iran has always adopted a firm stance on the fight against the foreign-backed terrorist groups in the region, Bahram Qassemi said on Friday night, as he slammed the West’s meddling in Iran’s internal affairs by questioning the recent execution of a number of terrorists.
On Wednesday, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry released some details on the so-called Toheed and Jihad Takfiri terrorist group, 102 of whose members and supporters have been arrested, killed in exchange of fire or sentenced to death for a litany of terrorist activities.
Afterwards, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein deplored the executions, calling them “injustice.” European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini also expressed her concern over the executions.
Reacting to the “meddlesome” Westerners, the Iranian spokesman underscored that Iran, itself a victim of terrorism, spares no effort to ensure security of its people.
He also deplored criticism of death penalty in Iran without considering the committed crimes, saying the information provided by the Judiciary sources reveal that the executed criminals were attempting to establish a Takfiri terrorist group, kill innocent people including Sunni Muslim clerics, obtain military-style rifles, make improvised explosive devices and carry out bombing attacks in some Iranian cities.
Qassemi finally recommended the West to focus on concerted action for tackling Takfiri terrorism and Daesh (ISIL), instead of adopting double standards on terrorism.