The Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights (Codir) warned today against a culture of execution prevalent in the country.

Iran claims that making executions a public show deters offenders.

But Codir said such acts are an indication of medievalism perpetrated by the ruling clergy.

It added that the system allowing victims’ parents to be arbiters of life and death has been abused, with victims' families accepting money for acts of clemency.

“These are not the marks of a modern civil society,” said Codir assistant general secretary Jamshid Ahmadi.

“If Iran has aspirations to be a full member of the world community it must not only stop the execution of political prisoners but abolish the death sentence for all prisoners.”

Inside Iran, intelligence officials raided Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on Thursday, Amnesty reported.

Ministry officials with about 100 guards in riot gear entered the prison.

In a confrontation, at least 30 prisoners were injured.

Another 32 were taken to solitary confinement, including minority and labour rights activists.