Commenting today, Minister for the Middle East Hugh Robertson said:

My thoughts go out to the families of the fourteen Iranian border guards who were killed on 25th October in the Sistan and Balochistan region of Iran. The UK deplores such incidents and hopes the perpetrators will be held to account.

It is also deeply regrettable that, on the following day, Iran executed sixteen convicted prisoners whose sentences were unrelated to these killings. I urge Iran to place a moratorium on the death penalty and ensure that all individuals are afforded the right to a fair trial.

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