Dutch-Iranian woman Zahra Bahrami has been found guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced to death by a court in Tehran.

Her daughter, Banafsheh Najebpour, speaking to Radio Netherlands Worldwide from Iran, confirmed the news. She said the court delivered its ruling on Sunday but the defence lawyer had not been allowed to break the news earlier.

Ms Bahrami was born in Iran but later moved to the Netherlands, becoming a Dutch citizen. She returned to Iran in December 2009 to visit relatives. She is reported to have been arrested after taking part in anti-government demonstrations.

Ms Bahrami has allegedly been kept in isolation for months and beaten regularly. Her case gained publicity when it was announced on a human rights website run by Iranians. The Dutch authorities only discovered her identity six months later, only then confirming her nationality.

The ministry of Foreign Affairs repeatedly called on the authorities in Tehran to give her a fair trial. The embassy tried to provide consular assistance, but Iran refused to recognise her Dutch nationality.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide