Iran to execute British-Iranian national Akbari

Iran to execute British-Iranian national Akbari

Iranian state media reported that Alireza Akbari, a British-Iranian dual national, who had been sentenced to death in Iran, has been executed. Prior to the execution, Mr. Akbari’s family was asked to visit him in prison for a “final visit,” and his wife mentioned that he had been transferred to solitary confinement.

Mr. Akbari, a former deputy Iranian defense minister, was arrested in 2019 on charges of spying for the UK, allegations that he vehemently denied. The UK government had made efforts to prevent the execution and called for his immediate release.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed strong opposition to the execution, branding it a “politically motivated act” by an inhumane regime that shows little regard for human life. Cleverly had previously issued a warning to Iran not to proceed with the execution.

Iran had released a video of Mr. Akbari earlier in the week, where he appeared to make coerced confessions. In a previous audio message to BBC Persian, Mr. Akbari had asserted that he was forced to confess to crimes he did not commit, highlighting allegations of torture during his detention.

CREDIT: BBC