The Iranian government sought “to solicit forgiveness from the victim’s first-degree families. Unfortunately, the campaign which was launched by Western media and politicians definitely” ruined the atmosphere of soliciting forgiveness, Larijani said in an interview with CNN.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 20th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group in Geneva, Switzerland.

Larijani added that the judgment of the Western countries regarding Reyhaneh Jabbari’s case was “definitely not fair,” true or well-founded, arguing that the procedure of her trial took seven years with “numerous judges” presiding over her hearing.

“We are not in a position to say that she was right or not. All of these issues have been raised in the court by herself, by her lawyers. It was heard over seven years.... It was not an overnight decision by the court,” he added.

Jabbari was convicted of murdering a man in a criminal case seven years ago. She was hanged in the early hours of October 24 after being found guilty of killing Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi in July 2007.

Larijani’s remarks come after officials from some Western countries, including the United States and Britain, condemned Jabbari’s execution.

Under Islamic law, a convicted murderer is put to death if the victim's family demands execution but the convict’s life can be spared provided that the victim's family pardons him/her.