University of Essex-based UN Special Rapporteur Dr Ahmed Shaheed has condemned the execution in Iran of political prisoner Gholamreza Khosravi Savadjani, and called again on the country to halt its use of the death penalty.

In a statement released by the United Nations, Dr Shaheed, a Visiting Professor at the Essex Human Rights Centre, said: “This is not only contrary to international human rights standards but also Iran’s domestic law.”

Dr Ahmed Shaheed

Mr Khosravi - who was arrested in 2008 and initially sentenced to six years in prison for alleged espionage - was tried again in 2011 and sentenced to death for allegedly sharing information and providing financial assistance to a London-based television station.

Dr Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, said: “It is beyond comprehension that Mr Khosravi was tried twice for the same acts and with the same evidence.”

He was one of four UN Special Rapporteurs to speak out against the execution.

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