EU slams Alabama for nitrogen gas execution

The EU on Friday said it "deeply regrets" the execution of a convicted murderer in the US state of Alabama by nitrogen gas, the first time the method has been used in the country.

"According to leading experts, this method is a particularly cruel and unusual punishment," a European Union spokesman said in a statement.

The 27-nation EU has a blanket opposition to the death penalty and regular criticized executions carried out around the globe.