Iran summoned Saudi Arabia’s ambassador after the execution of six Iranian nationals convicted of drug trafficking. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong disapproval regarding the lack of prior notification and emphasized violations of international law. A legal delegation will visit Riyadh to address the situation amid ongoing concerns about capital punishment in Saudi Arabia.
Iran has officially summoned the Saudi ambassador in Tehran to express strong discontent over the execution of six Iranian nationals, who were reportedly convicted of drug trafficking. The Director General of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Karimi Shasati, conveyed that the ambassador received a formal diplomatic protest, underscoring the Iranian government’s disapproval of the deaths without advance notification to their embassy.
Shasati remarked that these executions, carried out by the Saudi authorities, contradict the evolving relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the realm of judicial cooperation. He highlighted the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ prolonged efforts to support these individuals and seek leniency in their sentences. Moreover, the Iranian official emphasized that executing these individuals without prior notice constitutes a breach of international legal protocols, specifically violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
A legal delegation from Iran is anticipated to travel to Riyadh to pursue this matter further. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that Saudi Arabia has employed capital punishment extensively, with significant numbers executed without disclosure or transparency regarding their trials. This alarming trend points to Saudi Arabia’s reputation as one of the world’s leading executioners, raising serious concerns among international human rights advocates.
The tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia has historical roots, often stemming from ideological differences and regional rivalries. The recent incident surrounding the execution of Iranian nationals highlights the fragile nature of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have oscillated between confrontation and attempts at dialogue. The international concern regarding capital punishment in Saudi Arabia compounds the bilateral tensions, as human rights organizations frequently criticize the kingdom’s lack of transparency and due process in judicial proceedings.
The Iranian government’s protest against the execution of its nationals in Saudi Arabia underscores the ongoing diplomatic strain and the complexities surrounding judicial cooperation between the two neighboring countries. As Iran seeks an explanation for the executions and plans to dispatch a legal delegation to Riyadh, the case calls attention to larger issues regarding human rights practices in Saudi Arabia, particularly concerning the use of capital punishment without adequate transparency.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
