A Dutch-Iranian woman, Zahra Bahrami, who has been sentenced to death in Iran, has been moved to a higher security ward.

Iranian news website Freedom Messenger says Zahra Bahrami has been transferred to what is known as the 'methadone ward' of the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.

The prisoners in this ward are convicted of serious crimes such as drug smuggling. They have less contact with the outside world. Human rights organisations say the guards here are more violent than elsewhere in the prison.

Ms Bahrami was arrested in December 2009 for allegedly participating in protests against the government.

She has been sentenced to death for the possession and sale of drugs. Authorities also accuse her of being a member of an armed opposition group.

(nc/ae)

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