In protest against death sentences... European countries summon Iran's ambassadors

ARK News… The Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium, on Monday, announced that they would summon Tehran's ambassadors, in response to the Iranian authorities' execution of two men linked to the protests taking place in the country.

The Iranian judiciary, on Saturday, announced the execution of two men on charges of killing a security officer during the protests that began on September 16, 2022, after the death of Mahsa Amini in a “morality” police prison in Tehran.

"Like other European countries, we will recall Iran's ambassador," Belgian Foreign Minister Hajja Lahbib tweeted, saying she was "distraught" by the executions.

"New sanctions are being considered by the European Union," she added.

For his part, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loki Rasmussen announced that his country would summon the Iranian ambassador to express its "outrage" after the execution of two men in Iran in connection with the demonstrations.

"We are summoning the Iranian ambassador to a meeting at the Foreign Ministry to send the strongest possible signal that the abuses committed against his people outrage us," Rasmussen said.

"The situation in Iran is very serious. It arouses different feelings, including great respect for some people who are showing great heroism in opposing a brutal regime," the Danish minister said.

On the other hand, the Dutch Foreign Minister, Wopke Hoekstra, said, "I will summon the Iranian ambassador to stress our grave concern, and I call on the member states of the European Union to do the same."

He indicated on Twitter, that "a fourth package of sanctions against Iran is being prepared before the meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council," scheduled for January 23.

At the same time, he stressed "the need for a stronger response from the European Union."

Washington condemned in the strongest terms the execution of the two men, and the US State Department spokesman, Ned Price, considered that the executions "are an essential component of the regime's strategy to suppress the demonstrations."

This comes, while the Iranian judiciary announced on Monday the issuance of other death sentences against three people for their involvement in killing members of the security forces in the center of the country.

Hundreds were killed, including dozens of members of the security forces, during the protests, which included raising slogans against the Iranian authorities.

Thousands were also arrested on the sidelines of the movements, which Iranian officials consider a large part of as "riots" behind which the "enemies" of the Islamic Republic stand.

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