Iran hangs adulterer, kidnapper in public

TEHRAN: Iran has publicly hanged a man convicted of repeated kidnapping and adultery in the southern province of Kerman, Fars news agency reported on Sunday.   

The man identified as Mohammad Reza Rafie, nicknamed Mohammad Khan, was hanged early Sunday morning watched by a cheering crowd in a downtown square.   

The execution brings to at least 128 the number of people executed in Iran this year, according to an AFP tally based on press and witness reports.   

Amnesty International has said there were 94 executions in Iran in 2005.   

Capital offences in the Islamic republic include murder, rape, armed robbery, apostasy, blasphemy, serious drug trafficking, repeated sodomy, adultery or prostitution, treason and espionage.