Group criticizes Iranian executions

TEHRAN, May 11 (UPI) -- Amnesty International accused Iran Tuesday of denying fair trials to five people who were executed "without any prior warning."

The five, four Kurdish political activists and an Iranian man, were hanged at Evin Prison in Tehran Sunday on charges of "moharebeh" or enmity against God, the organization reports.

Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International's director for the Middle East and North Africa, said three of the defendants were tortured and two were forced to confess under duress.

"They were then executed in violation of Iranian law, which requires authorities to notify prisoners' lawyers in advance of carrying out executions," Smart said.

He added the executions appear to be "a blatant attempt to intimidate members of the Kurdish minority and other critics and opponents of the government."

Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world, Amnesty International said.

So far this year, more than 80 executions have taken place.