DUBAI: The French government expressed “shock” on Wednesday over a decision by Iran to execute a minor in blatant defiance of international accords on the treatment of underage detainees. Paris also expressed “strong concern” over reports of the arrest of prominent media figures. “France is deeply shocked by the hanging by Iran this morning of a 17-year-old youth, Alireza Molla-Soltani,” an official statement said here. “This execution of a minor, which furthermore took place in public, violates international commitments to which Iran has subscribed,” the French Foreign Ministry said, expressing particular concern over “the increase in the number of executions in Iran.” France said it is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances and in all parts of the world. Separately, France also expressed “strong concern” over the arrest of a number of cinema documentary figures on accusations of working for “BBC” television. “These arrests are a new illustration of the constant repression in Iran of journalists, cineastes and artists for freely exercising their professions,” the Foreign Ministry added. The French statement called for the immediate release of the media figures that were detained by Iranian security services. BM
