Pakistan hangs two gang-rapists

Two men who were convicted of raping two women in Pakistan's southern Punjab province have been hanged for their crimes.

Two higher courts had rejected appeals and a mercy petition was dismissed by President Pervez Musharraf.

The men, named as Aqil and Nazim, were executed in Bahawalpur prison.

Gang-rape is punishable by death. Unlike murder cases, those found guilty cannot be pardoned by relatives of the victim.

Charges dropped

An official at Bahawalpur prison said four men were accused of gang-raping two women in a village nearly seven years ago.

Charges against one of the accused were dropped because he was a minor. The fourth died in prison.

The Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court had upheld the ruling of the trial court and the president rejected a final clemency appeal.