Militant Separatist Executed In Iran By Najmeh Bozorgmehr In Tehran, The Financial Times

Jundullah wants autonomy for the country's ethnic Baluchi minority. Iran accuses the US and Israeli intelligence services of supplying this group with weapons and money.

A senior commander of the largest armed opposition group within Iran's borders was hanged yesterday for his involvement in bomb attacks and the killing of government officials.

Abdolhamid Rigi, a senior member of Jundullah, a militant group responsible for many attacks, was executed in prison in the south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan.

He is the younger brother of Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of Jundullah who was arrested in February.

Jundullah wants autonomy for the country's ethnic Baluchi minority. Iran accuses the US and Israeli intelligence services of supplying this group with weapons and money.

Abdolhamid Rigi was arrested two years ago for allegedly smuggling drugs and killing at least 20 Iranians. But the regime had declined to sentence him for fear of stirring more violence by Jundullah and retaliation by his brother.

Persians form just over half of Iran's 73m population. Areas inhabited by ethnic minorities are underdeveloped - an unspoken government policy to undermine separatists.
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