Judges allowed to carry guns in Iran

TEHRAN, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The recent shooting of a judge outside his home has prompted officials to allow Iranian judges to carry guns and to use them if they feel threatened.

Mohammed Reza Aghazadeh sustained injuries to his eye when he was shot outside his home, the BBC reported Sunday.

He was said to be investigating cases of land and property corruption near Karaj, a town west of Tehran.

The incident came less than a month after another judge was killed by a gunman on a motorcycle in Tehran. Hassan Moghaddas had been involved in a number of high-profile political cases involving human rights or freedom of speech.

A third judge allegedly had acid thrown in his face in a town near the Iranian capital.

Iranian officials say no one has claimed responsibility for any of the attacks.