In some senses those trends have not been improving. I mentioned earlier about the execution of a person who made a donation to a news organization, so that was clearly a political prisoner being executed. There are other instances in which my information has indicated that cultural activists may also be facing the death penalty or may have been executed. Of course, Iran and I disagree on the facts in some cases, but the concern is that unless free and fair trials are guaranteed, the possibility that genuine political activists may face the death penalty exists. I have not seen any easing of the situation with regard to the treatment of political detainees in the country.
On October 30th, 2014. See this statement in context.