Brussels, 24/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 23 October, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that she was “appalled” by the execution of ten Iranians the previous day, who had been accused of infringements relating to drugs. Ashton said that she is “concerned” about information that they did not receive a fair trial and were subjected to torture during their detention. “This event only adds to the alarming execution rate in Iran, which has surpassed 300 executions since the beginning of the year. Most of the executions took place after summary trials, without the right to appeal and for offences which, according to international minimum standards, should not result in capital punishment”, Ashton said. She again called for a halt to pending executions and a moratorium on the death penalty. On 22 October the French foreign affairs minister condemned these executions, saying that Iran is the state which applies the death penalty most to its people. (CG/transl.fl)