The report said Baghlani began the killing spree at the port city of Abadan in 2004, and that he said during his trial that he carried out the murders out of hatred for women. – File Photo

TEHRAN: Iran hanged on Saturday a serial killer convicted of murdering 16 women and girls over a four-year period, Fars news agency reported.

Farid Baghlani was executed in a prison of the southwestern city of Ahvaz, the report said, adding families of the victims celebrated by handing out sweets to people in the detention facility.

The report said Baghlani began the killing spree at the port city of Abadan in 2004, and that he said during his trial that he carried out the murders out of hatred for women.

The latest hanging brings the number of executions in Iran to at least 144 so far this year, according to an AFP count based on media reports. At least 270 people were executed in 2009.

Iran is one of the leading countries that carry out the death penalty each year, along with China, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Islamic republic says the death penalty is essential to maintain public security and is applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings.

Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are all punishable by death in Iran. – AFP