A former Iranian deputy defense minister with dual British citizenship has been executed, according to Iranian media. The death sentence had sparked international condemnation.
Iran has executed a former Iranian deputy defense minister with dual British-Iranian nationality after convicting him of spying for the UK, the country's judiciary news agency, Mizan, reported on Saturday.
"Ali Reza Akbari, who was sentenced to death on charges of corruption on earth and extensive action against the country's internal and external security through espionage for the British government's intelligence service ... was executed," Mizan said.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on Twitter that he was "appalled by the execution" of Akbari.
"This was a callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime with no respect for the human rights of their own people. My thoughts are with Alireza’s friends and family," he added.
Iran has one of the highest rates of execution in the world, with those sentenced to death being killed by hanging.
What were the accusations against Akbari?
Iranian authorities claim that Akbari had worked for the UK's MI-6 intelligence agency and had held "extensive meetings with enemy intelligence officers in various countries over a long period of time," according to Mizan.
Iran said that Akbari had been involved in the 2020 killing of the country's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. They also broadcast a video of Akbari confessing that he had been asked by a British agent about Fakhrizadeh.
But no evidence for the claims has been given. The BBC's Persian service broadcast an audio clip of Akbari on Wednesday in which he said he had confessed to crimes that he had not committed after being tortured.
Iranians who have dual citizenship, especially with the UK or US, are frequently arrested under espionage charges.
Iran's domestic problems
Both the UK and US have condemned the conviction as politically motivated.
"The charges against Ali Reza Akbari and his sentencing to execution were politically motivated. His execution would be unconscionable," US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
"We are greatly disturbed by the reports that Mr. Akbari was drugged, tortured while in custody, interrogated for thousands of hours, and forced to make false confessions.''
Tehran has blamed interference from foreign countries for the recent monthslong protests that have shaken the Islamic Republic and undermined the institution of rule by religious clerics.
It also comes at a low point for relations between Iran and the West following the breakdown of the Iran nuclear deal, the selection of hardline conservative Ebrahim Raisi as president, and Iran's role in supplying Russia with drones that have been used to attack Ukraine.
Second publication courtesy of Deutsche Welle. Original-Text: dw.com