Iranian pair face death penalty following 160 lashes over 'persistent alcohol consumption'

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Iranian pair face death penalty following 160 lashes over ‘persistent alcohol consumption’
London | June 26, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST

Two Iranians have been sentenced to death for persistent consumption of alcohol under the Iran’s Islamic Sharia law, which forbids the use, manufacturing and trading of all types of alcoholic drinks.

The two, who have not been named by the authorities, have each previously been lashed 160 times after twice being arrested for consuming alcohol. Being convicted for the third time makes them liable for the death penalty.

The head of the judiciary Seyed Hasan Shariati, based in Iran’s north-eastern province of Khorasan Razavi, told the semi-official Isna news agency that the supreme court had upheld their death sentences and that officials were preparing for their execution.

“Two people who committed the offence of consuming alcohol for the third time have been sentenced to be executed. The verdict has been confirmed by the Supreme Court and we are preparing to administer it,” The Guardian quoted Shariati, as saying.

Under Iranian Sharia law, certain crimes such as sodomy, rape, theft, fornication, apostasy and consumption of alcohol for the third time are considered to be “claims of God” and therefore have mandatory death sentences.

“We will show no mercy in finding, trying and punishing those breaking the law and we will punish them to the highest extent,” Shariati warned, referring crimes related to alcohol consumption.

Despite the ban, many people in Iran drink alcohol, usually a homemade liquor called araq, which contains 45% pure ethanol, which is usually mixed before consumption and can be dangerous because of the ethanol used in its distillation. (ANI)