The spokesperson of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, issued the following statement today:

“The High Representative is deeply concerned to hear that Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti has recently died in custody. The EU expects the Iranian authorities to conduct a thorough enquiry into the case, in order to establish the exact circumstances of his death.

The EU remains deeply concerned by the Human Rights situation in Iran, and urges the Iranian authorities to halt the repression of bloggers and internet activists.

The High Representative calls on the Iranian authorities to ensure that Iranian citizens enjoy full respect and protection of the rights granted to them in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran has subscribed.”