Iran has executed a former British-Iranian leader on espionage charges. As the justice portal Misan announced, Alireza Akbari was killed on Saturday. Iran had sentenced him to death in an espionage trial for leaking secrets. Akbari, his wife and brother had vehemently denied the allegations in recent days. Britain called Akbari’s execution a “cowardly act by a barbaric regime”.
Akbari, arrested in 2019, was a former Defense Ministry employee of British-Iranian nationality. He had been convicted by the Supreme Court of leaking state secrets.
confession under severe torture
According to Misan, he worked for the British Secret Service. According to the report, Akbari allowed himself to be corrupted for 1.8 million euros and collected $ 50,000 (46,150 euros) for leaking secrets. In a recording broadcast by the BBC on Wednesday, Akbari said he confessed to crimes he did not commit after being severely tortured. It is not known exactly where Akbari was executed. According to the state news agency FARS, he was hanged.
British threaten Iran with consequences
Britain threatened Iran with consequences after the execution. “I am shocked by the execution in Iran of British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Twitter. “This was a ruthless and cowardly act by a barbaric regime that does not respect the human rights of its own people.” British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted: “This barbaric act must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It will not go unchallenged.” Cleverly had previously criticized the planned execution as “politically motivated” and called for the man’s immediate release.
Following protests in London against Akbari’s execution, the Foreign Office in Tehran summoned the British ambassador. This has been announced by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The British interference and statements regarding the ex-politician executed for espionage are pointless as Iranian law does not recognize dual citizenship in the country. Instead of supporting a spy, the British government should provide an explanation for “unconventional contacts” with Iranian officials and endangering Iran’s national security, the ministry said.
“Stop barbaric actions immediately”
Austria condemned Akbari’s execution. “Another horrific execution in #Iran. We strongly condemn the execution of British-Iranian dual national Alireza Akbari and call on Iran to immediately stop such barbaric acts,” the Foreign Ministry in Vienna said on Twitter. Germany and France also condemned the execution.
Between 1997 and 2002, Akbari served as deputy defense minister in Iran. The minister at the time was Ali Shamkhani, now secretary of the Security Council, the country’s main decision-making body. Between 2014 and 2015, Akbari accompanied the Iranian delegation to the nuclear negotiations in Vienna as a military adviser. According to the Iranian security authorities, he would have passed classified information to the British secret service in both positions.
Internal power struggle in Tehran?
According to reports, the case could also point to an internal power struggle in Tehran. As a senior politician in the Defense Ministry, Akbari has maintained close ties with politicians seeking mediation and reconciliation following the recent spate of protests, British online media outlet amwaj.media reported.
Meanwhile, the Polish government announced that its citizen Maciej Walczak had been released from prison and returned to his homeland. According to an Iranian TV report, the Revolutionary Guards arrested several foreigners last July for breaking the law, such as taking soil samples in prohibited areas.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
