Belarus Executes Two Men Due to Metro Bombing; EU, Human Rights Groups Slam Savage Shootings

The Guardian (British) website reports today (March 18, 2012) that the European Union (EU) and several human rights groups have strongly condemned the execution of two young men in Belarus, following their conviction for a deadly attack on the Minsk metro last April that killed 15 people.

Vladislav Kovalyov and Dmitry Konovalov -- both 26 -- were put to death late last night. In Belarus, execution is performed by a gunshot to the back of the head.

Belarus president, Alexander Lukashenko -- described as "Europe's last dictator" by former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice -- had rejected pleas for clemency from the EU.

Thorbjorn Jaglan -- secretary general of the Council of Europe -- said, "Belarus is the only country in Europe which still executes people."