"The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the execution in Iran of Iranian-British national Alireza Akbari and reiterates once again its firm opposition to the application of the death penalty under any circumstances".
This was stated by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a note on behalf of the Union.
"The execution of a European citizen is a frightening precedent that will be followed closely by the EU - he adds -. The death penalty violates the inalienable right to life enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights and is the cruellest punishment, inhumane and degrading".