UN rights chief says Iran executed at least 56 people since March

GENEVA, Aug 5 (Reuters) - At least 56 people have been executed in Iran on national security-related charges since March 19, including 27 in cases linked to protests at the start of the year, United Nations human rights chief Volker Tuerk said on Wednesday. "I am alarmed by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, and that capital punishment continues to be used to instilfear among the population and suppress dissent," Tuerk said in a statement.