Iran reform may spare 5,000 from death row

Iran’s parliament has voted to end the death penalty for certain drug violations in a move that could prevent some 5,000 convicted smugglers from being executed.

ISNA, the semi-official news agency, said a majority of MPS voted yesterday to amend the law so that only drug kingpins, armed dealers and those convicted of smuggling more than 50kg (110lb) of opium or 2kg of heroin would face the death penalty.

Lesser violations would be punishable by up to 30 years in prison.