16/01/2023 (Agence Europe) – The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, condemned “in the strongest terms” the execution of British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari in Iran on Sunday 15 January. “The execution of a European citizen is an appalling precedent that will be followed closely by the EU”, he said in a statement on behalf of the EU. He called on Iran to refrain from further executions and to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of the death penalty, highlighting the EU’s strong opposition to it. The High Representative is due to discuss the situation in Iran with the European Parliament on Tuesday 17 January and the subject is also expected to be on the agenda for the Meeting of Foreign Ministers on Monday 23 January. New sanctions could be adopted on this occasion. (CG)