03/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Saturday 1 October, Iranian foreign affairs spokesman Bahram Qassemi criticised a statement by the European External Action Service (EEAS) on 30 September about the death sentence of human rights activist Narges Mohammadi (see EUROPE 11636). "The EU should avoid such unconventional remarks by gaining a more accurate understanding of judicial procedures in Iran", he said, describing the EU’s comments as "unconstructive". "Undoubtedly, those who issued the statement should be aware that the issue of human rights and its promotion will not be realised by issuing mere political statements", he added, saying that the issue of human rights should not be used as a "pretext for meddling in the internal affairs of other countries". (CG)