Commenting on reports that four men have been given the death sentence in Iran for embezzlement, Foreign Office Minister Africa Alistair Burt said:

I condemn the recent death sentences, confirmed on 8 April by Iran’s Supreme Court, against four individuals charged with embezzlement. The UK is firmly opposed to the use of the death penalty in any circumstances. While corruption and financial crime are not insignificant offences, international law stipulates that the death penalty should only be used for the “most serious crimes”. I call upon Iran to commute the sentences of Mahafarid Amir-Khosravi, Behdad Behzadi, Iraj Shojai and Saeed Kiani Rezazadeh in line with its international human rights obligations.

Further Information

Read about the UK government’s work persuading other countries to abolish the death penalty

Visit the UK for Iranians website pages