Iran hangs two men for blasphemy as executions rise amid unrest

Deaths take number of prisoners executed to at least 203 since start of this year, says human rights group

Iran hanged two men convicted of blasphemy, authorities said, carrying out rare death sentences for the crime as the number of executions surges across the Islamic Republic after months of unrest.

Iran remains one of the world's top executioners, having put to death at least 203 prisoners since the start of this year, according to the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights. But executions for blasphemy remain rare, as in previous cases the sentences have been reduced by authorities.