(dpa) - A young Iranian has been sentenced to death for repeated alcohol consumption although the verdict was likely to be revised, the ISNA news agency reported Tuesday.
According to Islamic law, consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran and offenders would be punished with cash fines or lashes for the first two offences, but a third consecutive offence should be legally punished by death.
The 22-year-old man, who had already been arrested three times for drinking and disturbing the peace in public, was once again found drunk on the street in Tehran and had to be re-arrested by police.
The man's lawyer told ISNA that as his client regretted his renewed offence, the sentence might be revised.
Despite the strict ban, alcoholic beverages can be obtained easily on the black market throughout the country at high prices.