Iran, Critical Of Execution Of Iran Nationals In S.Arabia, Says Will Follow Up Case

Tehran, June 14, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry designated legal counsel team to pursue execution of Iranian nationals in Saudi Arabia, it was announced on Wednesday. The Iranian team is to visit Saudi Arabia in the near future. An official at the foreign ministry told to IRNA that the Iranian delegation is to survey execution of several Iranian nationals for drug smuggling. "These people were deprived of their legitimate rights in contacting the Iranian embassy, non-access to solicitors and translators," he said. He echoed Iran’s strong protest over the issue. Saudi Arabia executed the Iranian nationals on the charge of drug smuggling to the kingdom in April this year. Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi had contacted Saudi foreign minister to seek drop of the charges against Iranian nationals. In telephone contacts Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal had promised not to carry out the verdict against Iranian nationals./end