Premier Romano Prodi defended Italy’s opposition to the death penalty after Rome’s criticism of Iran’s recent mass executions escalated into a diplomatic fight.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman called Rome’s protests an interference in Tehran’s internal affairs. However Prodi insisted “Italy has a right to express its opposition to these executions.”  The Italian Italian Foreign ministry expressed “strong worry”.

“Iran is a country that abuses the death penalty and denies basic rights. It is a right and a duty to raise our voice,” Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Gianni Vernetti told Corriere della Sera daily.

Source: Dow Jones,  August 6, 2007