The German government says the former head of Iran's judiciary is receiving treatment at a hospital in Germany.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Rainer Breul said Monday that Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi has been at a hospital in Hannover for several weeks.

Breul said Shahroudi had sought treatment in Germany for a "serious illness" and that the request was granted after "credible health reasons" were given.

Shahroudi heads Iran's Expediency Council, which moderates disputes between Iran's parliament and a constitutional watchdog known as the Guardian Council. He headed Iran's judiciary for 10 years from 1999. Iran's judiciary has faced international criticism over its frequent implementation of the death penalty.

Shahroudi's presence is drawing criticism in Germany. The mass-circulation Bild daily's front-page headline Monday read: "Death judge in Iran, luxury patient in Germany."