Iran sentences 3 suspects to death over financial crimes

Special courts in Iran set up to deal with financial crimes have sentenced three suspects to death over corruption, the official IRNA news agency reported Sunday.

According to the deputy chief of judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi, said the three were among 35 suspects recently brought to trial, IRNA reported.

Ejehi said the rest were sentenced to prison terms of up to 20 years.

The sentences can be appealed.

The special courts were established recently as part of the government's campaign against corruption.

Since America's pullout from the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, Iran's economy has plunged into a downward spiral with the national currency, the rial, hitting record lows.

Meanwhile, trading in foreign currency and gold coins has increased. In July, Iran arrested a man who had two tons of gold coins.

Separately, Sunday, Ejehi was quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency as threatening anyone who forces truckers to go on strike or others who in any way disrupt transportation with "harsh punishment."