Ex-Deputy Defense Minister executed in Iran

Iran has executed a former senior defense official after pleading guilty to spying for Britain. This was reported by the country's state media on Wednesday.

Ali Reza Akbari was the deputy defense minister until 2001, Iran's judiciary said, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Although he was originally a "key spy" for British intelligence, Iranian intelligence unmasked his espionage by providing him with false intelligence.

Read more :  Mukhar Turagatir in the procession of worshipers in Ijtema

Tasnim said he spied on past nuclear talks between Iran and Western powers. Akbari served as Deputy Defense Minister under President Mohammad Khatami. Akbari, known as a reformist, pressed the Iranian government to improve relations with the West. Britain, on the other hand, has called for Akbari's immediate release and not to carry out the death sentence.

"This is a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that shows complete disregard for human life," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said in a speech. Akbari ran a private think tank. After his arrest in 2019, he has not been seen in public.

Read more :  A.League remains in power depending on the police-officials: Fakhrul

Authorities have not released any details about his trial. Those charged with espionage and other crimes related to national security typically end in secret. Occupy groups say they cannot choose their personal lawyers and are not allowed to see the evidence against them. Tasnim also said the court upheld her sentence and only has access to a lawyer. However, there is no word on when his execution will be effective.

Earlier, Akbari led the implementation of the 1988 ceasefire, after a devastating eight-year war between Iran and Iraq. He also worked closely with United Nations observers.