Iran hangs 3 convicted rapists

Iran has hanged three men convicted of rape in the northeastern city of Qoochan, Khorasan newspaper reported on Wednesday. The report did not identify the men sent to the gallows but added that they were executed in a prison there on Tuesday. The latest hangings bring to 167 the number of executions reported in Iran so far this year, according to an AFP tally based on media and official reports. Iranian media reported 179 hangings last year but international human rights groups say the actual number was much higher, ranking the Islamic republic second only to China in the number of people it executed. Tehran says the death penalty is essential to maintain law and order, and applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are among the crimes punishable by death in Iran.