Rouhani Orders Harsh Punishment for Acid Attackers

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ordered his three ministries to step up their efforts to find the culprits behind the recent acid attacks in the Central city of Isfahan.

News ID: 60812

Date: 25 October 2014 - 13:00

Rouhani tasked the ministries of the interior, intelligence and justice on Thursday with launching an investigation into the acid attacks after he was briefed about the tragic assaults against young women in Isfahan.

The Iranian president, meantime, condemned the "inhuman acts" and expressed sympathy with the victims of the attacks.

On Monday, Iran's Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei vowed that the criminals who have staged the recent acid attacks on a number of women in Isfahan will soon be given a harsh punishment.

"One of the unpleasant and criminal acts last week was the acid attacks in Isfahan and the case with this violent action should be pursued by relevant officials and serious and tough action should be adopted for identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators," Ejei told reporters in his weekly press conference in Tehran.

He underlined that the suspects, if convicted, should be handed harsh sentences as a message to other potential vigilantes.

"The perpetrators of such acts should given such a punishment that it would preempt and intimidate other potential criminals from taking such actions," Ejei stressed.

Meantime, the judiciary spokesman rejected some media reports claiming that the women have been attacked for "not respecting hijab (Islamic code of dressing)".

A string of acid attacks against at least four women in the Isfahan last week prompted public outcry. According to Iranian law, suspects, if convicted, could face the death penalty.

The state news agency reported on Sunday that Iranian authorities have arrested four people suspected of throwing acid on women.

The report did not reveal the identities of the suspects or their possible motives.

Source: Fars