An Iranian man convicted of murdering a jeweller was hanged on Sunday in the western city of Kermanshah, the state-run television website reported. The report did not identify the culprit but said he had been found guilty of killing a jeweller and stealing the victims gold some two years ago.
The latest hanging brings to 52 the number of people executed in Iran since the beginning of the year. Iran executed 246 people in 2008, according to an AFP count. The Islamic republic has stepped up its use of the death penalty since last year in what it says is a bid to improve security in society. Amnesty International says Iran carried out more death sentences in 2007 than any other country apart from China, which executed 317 people.