Iranian ambassador summoned in wake of executions

FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen condemned the hangings and suggested that Iran could be on the receiving end of EU sanctions in the near future

The government has condemned Iran’s execution of Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hossein over the weekend.

In response, the foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has summoned Iran’s ambassador to Denmark today to express his concern at the hangings.

“The situation is grave in Iran and many emotions are evoked, including the immense respect for the courage displayed by those who heroically stand up against a beastly regime,” said Rasmussen, according to Kristeligt Dagblad.

“That should inspire our support, but also anger that a regime can be so malevolent.”

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Sanctions in play
Rasmussen went on to say that Denmark and the EU could end up sanctioning Iran as a result of the hardline approach the country is using to crack down on protesters. 

Karami and Hossein are the latest executions carried out by the Iranian regime in response to the widespread protests held following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while detained by authorities in September.

The pair – who are not the first protesters to be executed – were convicted of killing a paramilitary force member following trials that the UN has described as unfair.

The Iranian envoy in the Netherlands has also been summoned following the executions this weekend.