Iran has executed eight convicted drug smugglers and four kidnappers in the past week, state media reported on Saturday.
The country is frequently criticized by human rights groups for maintaining one of the highest execution rates in the world.
The drug smugglers were executed in the central city of Qom. Mostafa Barzegar Ganji, a judiciary official from the city, told the official Irna news agency 16 other narcotics traffickers were also awaiting hanging there.
“They will soon be hanged if the authorities do not forgive them,” he said.
