Afghan Groups Protest Iran Executions

Officials prepare the noose for the execution in Iran.

Rights groups and Afghan religious scholars have demonstrated against the executions of Afghan nationals by Iran.

Afghan activists and tribal elders also participated in the April 21 rally in the eastern Khost Province calling on the Afghan government to help citizens in foreign countries.

The group claimed the executions of Afghans in Iran were "politically motivated."

The rally took place after RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reported on April 20 that as many as six Afghans were executed in Iran on April 18 after being convicted of narcotics trafficking.

Officials in Kabul have responded to that report saying the number of Afghans executed was four and that Afghanistan's government contacted Iranian authorities as soon as news broke about the executions.

Speakers at the rally said Afghans detained in Iran are routinely denied access to a lawyer, or allowed to defend themselves in trials in Iran.