Tehran - Iran's hardline judiciary has partially backed off in a dispute with reformers over public hangings and floggings, curbing the power of judges to order such punishments at will.
"The judiciary chief has transferred (the authority) to carry out public punishments to the police," the deputy head of the judiciary, Mr Hadi Marvi, said yesterday.
Hardline judges were ordering public lashings at will and having them implemented by hardline militiamen.