Norway condemns execution in Iran

Norway condemns the execution of 21-year-old Iranian Behnoud Shojaee, who was sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was a minor. Yesterday, the Iranian Chargé d’affaires was called in to a meeting at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Norway raised the issue of the deterioration of the human rights situation in Iran. 

In connection with this meeting, State Secretary Gry Larsen commented: “We are deeply concerned about the deterioration of the human rights situation in Iran.

“Norway protested against the execution of Mr Shojaee. In addition, we took up the planned execution of Safar Angoti, who is also sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was a minor.” 

Last week, Norway aligned itself with a statement from the EU condemning the death sentences for Mr Shojaee and Mr Angoti, both of whom were sentenced for crimes committed as minors. The EU encouraged the Iranian authorities to commute the sentences against the two men. Despite strong international pressure on the Iranian authorities, Mr Shojaee was executed on Sunday 11 October. 

”We also expressed our concern about the situation of Ms Kobra Babaei, who is condemned to death by stoning. In this connection we once again urged the Iranian authorities to prohibit the use of this penalty,” Ms Larsen added.