The report did not identify those who were hanged but said the executions were carried out in Zanjan's main prison.The latest hangings bring the number of executions in Iran to at least 129 in 2010 so far, according to an AFP count based on media reports. At least 270 people were hanged last year.
Iran says the death penalty is essential to maintain public security and is applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings.Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are all punishable by death in the Islamic republic.
Iran is one of the leading countries that carry out executions each year, along with China, Saudi Arabia and the United States
Published 10 October 2010, 14:42 IST