A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry has accused Dutch authorities of making "irresponsible statements" regarding the case of Zahra Baharami, the Iranian-Dutch woman who was hanged in Iran on January 29 for drug smuggling, after an initial arrest on security charges.
"It is unfortunate that countries that claim to defend human rights and always try to appear civilized lend their support to judicial cases that concern crime, betrayal or drug smuggling," said Ramin Mehmanparast, spokesman for Iran’s judiciary, in a news report by ISNA.
He said countries such as the Netherlands that continue on such a path will become "countries brimmed with smugglers, criminals and traitors."
Uri Rosenthal, the Dutch foreign minister, broke off all diplomatic contacts with the Islamic Republic last week, describing Bahrami’s rushed execution as "savage" and "shocking."
Yesterday, the Dutch ambassador to Tehran was recalled to The Hague to protest the execution and recent unofficial reports that Bahrami had a "secret burial."
Iranian human rights websites have reported that Baharami’s remains were secretly buried in Semnan, and that Iranian authorities warned her family against notifying the Dutch embassy.
