The Netherlands’ decision to break diplomatic contact with Iran over the execution of Zahra Bahrami amounts to interference in Iran internal affairs, a foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Ramin Mehmanparast admitted during a press conference that a number of Western countries have voiced objections to Bahrami’s execution, which was carried out January 29. But he dismissed their view that Iran had acted against a citizen of the Netherlands.
“We have emphasized several times that we have no Iranian-Dutch citizenship,” Mehmanparast said. “You might try to create a false keyword, but according to our constitution dual citizenship is not recognized.”
He maintained that the judiciary is independent and cannot be swayed by international pressures.
“This individual entered Iran with her Iranian passport, and we do not recognize dual citizenship in any form,” he added.
Mehmanparast contended that Bahrami’s case had gone through all the proper legal procedures and that she had received a fair trial with a competent defence, following her confession to drug charges.
Bahrami was arrested in the Ashura Day protests of December 2009 and executed for drug-related crimes, which she ultimately denied.
Iranian prsecutor’s office announced that she belonged to “an international drug ring with connections in the Netherlands.”
Dutch foreign minister Uri Rosenthal condemned the execution. He summoned the Iranian ambassador in the Hague to announce the Netherlands would cut diplomatic relations with Iran for Bahrami’s treatment.
Bahrami’s daughter denied the drug charges, telling the Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that they had been fabricated to deflect international attention to the political charges.
The daughter also claimed that her mother had confessed to the drug charges under torture.
According to official statistics Iran executed 79 people in the past month, a surge that has prompted international outrage.
In response, Mehmanparast said, “Over 80 percent of the executions are for drug-related charges. This is a problem facing many countries, and all countries are suffering its consequences.”
