Tehran, Iran Focus, 9 July - With the execution of 11 inmates in the northwestern city of Arbabil and western city of Qazin from July 6 thru July 8, the total number of executions following the election of Hassan Rouhani on June 14 has reached 75. One of victims was 15 at the time of his arrest. Six were women.

There were at least three en masse hangings, in groups of 21, 11 and six persons.

Observers say the dramatic rise in hangings, one every seven hours since Hassan Rowhani was elected, is designed to terrorise and intimidate the public. It remains to be seen whether Rowhani, dubbed as a "moderate" by some in the West, is inclined or even capable of halting these executions, which are politically motivated and carried out in violation of international standards.