Esmail Fekri Executed on Charges of Espionage

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, June 16, the Judiciary’s media center announced the execution of Esmail Fekri, a prisoner convicted of spying for Israel.

According to the state-affiliated Mizan News Agency, the execution was carried out at dawn on June 16, 2025. The Judiciary’s media outlet claimed that “after identifying a spy network linked to Israel in December 2023, Esmail Fekri was arrested on charges of intelligence cooperation and espionage for Israel, under the charges of ‘enmity against God’ (Moharebeh) and ‘spreading corruption on earth’ (efsad fel-arz).” Following the issuance of an indictment, court sessions were held with the presence of the defendant and his lawyer. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to death. The sentence was later upheld by the Supreme Court after a review of the appeal. The execution was carried out following legal procedures.

Esmail Fekri, who had been sentenced to death on charges of “espionage,” was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj in late February 2025.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Esmail Fekri and Mohsen Langarneshin Transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison; One Sentenced to Death

HRANA News Agency – Esmail Fekri, a prisoner sentenced to death on espionage charges, and Mohsen Langarneshin, another prisoner facing similar accusations, were transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on February 15.

Both prisoners are currently being held in the quarantine section of Unit Three at Ghezel Hesar. Fekri has been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court, while Langarneshin has been ordered to pay financial restitution and a monetary fine for the same charge.

A source close to the prisoners told HRANA:
“It is possible that Mohsen Langarneshin has additional sentences that have not yet been publicly disclosed.”

Before their transfer, the two detainees were held in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

Details regarding their cases and backgrounds remain unclear. HRANA will provide updates as more information becomes available.

While espionage-related offenses are not inherently considered human rights violations, Iran has a longstanding pattern of using such allegations to target political opponents. The lack of transparency in these cases, particularly regarding evidence, legal proceedings, and access to defense rights, raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the charges.

Prisoners accused of espionage in Iran often face severe restrictions and are deprived of fundamental rights. Past cases have revealed denial of legal representation, closed-door trials, and disproportionately harsh sentences imposed without due process.