Individual Sentenced to Death in Urmia On Charges of “Espionage”

The judiciary’s news agency, Mizan, has reported that a citizen in Urmia has been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “espionage for Israel.” Just a day earlier, the judiciary spokesperson announced that three others in Urmia had also been sentenced to death in a separate case on similar charges.

According to the judiciary’s media center, the accused had been under investigation for alleged “espionage for Israel and collaboration with the Mossad intelligence agency.” Following an indictment, the case was submitted to the Revolutionary Court in Urmia, where the defendant ultimately received a preliminary death sentence. The report did not disclose the identity of the accused.

In the separate case, the judiciary spokesperson claimed that, beyond “espionage,” the three other individuals were allegedly involved in “transferring assassination equipment” intended for a senior Iranian nuclear program official, under the cover of alcohol smuggling.

Although espionage charges are not classified as human rights violations, such accusations are often met with skepticism due to Iran’s history of leveraging espionage allegations against political dissidents, especially in cases where legal proceedings and case details remain opaque.

Iran Sentences Three to Death on Alleged Espionage and Assassination Equipment Charges

According to Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, three individuals have been sentenced to death on charges of “espionage.”

Judiciary Spokesperson Asghar Jahangir reported that eight individuals were initially arrested in West Azerbaijan Province in connection with the case. Out of these, three were brought to trial and sentenced to death on espionage charges.

Jahangir further alleged that these individuals used alcohol smuggling as a cover to transport “assassination equipment” meant for Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, the former Deputy Defense Minister and a senior figure in Iran’s nuclear program. Fakhrizadeh was killed on November 27, 2020, in an attack involving a car explosion and gunfire exchange between his security team and assailants.

The defendants’ case is currently under appeal, and Jahangir indicated that a separate case is also underway regarding other individuals allegedly linked to Fakhrizadeh’s assassination. However, he provided no additional details.

Though espionage prosecution is generally outside the scope of human rights concerns, Iran’s history of leveraging such charges as political tools often raises skepticism about the legitimacy of these accusations.

Austrian National Sentenced to Seven Years and Six Months

In a statement, the Austrian foreign ministry revealed that Iran’s judicial officials sentenced an Austrian national to seven-and-a-half years in prison “, with two years of probation being waived in the case of good behavior.” This individual was arrested last October.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an Austrian man was sentenced to seven years and six months for alleged spying.

In reaction, Vienna summoned the Iranian ambassador to express its strenuous objection to this conviction.

This statement mentioned “espionage” as the charge against this Austrian convict. “Two years of this sentence” may be “waived in the case of good behavior,” the ministry added.

Earlier, in October 2022, the Austrian foreign ministry disclosed the arrest of an Austrian man in Iran and asked Iranian authorities for an explanation. At the time, Iranian authorities asserted that this arrest was not related to the concurrent nationwide protests.

 

13 People Arrested for Allegedly Espionage

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 13 people accused of “espionage” in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Golestan and West Azerbaijan Provinces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan Online News Agency, 13 individuals were arrested for allegedly “espionage.”

The Ministry of intelligence claimed that in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Golestan and West Azerbaijan Provinces, 23 individuals working for Mossad (the intelligence agency of Israel) were detected, of which 13 people residing inside the country were apprehended before they could take any action. The Ministry claimed that the “head of this spy network” has been identified as “Sirus,” residing in one of the European Countries. This report did not disclose the detainees’ identities.

Although the prosecution of individuals for espionage is not considered a violation of human rights, there are concerns about the validity of these allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by Iran’s regime in order to suppress its political dissidents and due to the ambiguities in legal proceedings and the lack of transparency about such legal cases.

Three European Nationals Charged with Espionage

The spokesperson of Iran’s judiciary announced that three detained foreign nationals, two French and one Belgian, have been indicted on allegedly “espionage, assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan, two French nationals and one Belgian have been charged with “espionage, assembly and collusion against national security.”

This judicial official did not reveal these individuals’ identities.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

 Five Individuals Arrested for Espionage 

The Intelligence Protection Organization of Iranian Police announced the arrest of five individuals for espionage.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan News, five individuals were arrested and accused of espionage for the “association with the national intelligence agency of Israel.”

Without revealing the identities of these individuals and providing further details, the above-mentioned agency announced: “These individuals were gathering information from sensitive areas. More than gathering information, they were committing arson, writing anti-regime slogans on walls and were training for sabotage and armed operations.”

There are serious concerns about the validity of espionage allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by the Iranian intelligence officials, which is aimed at suppressing its opponents. Such claims are often ambiguous in legal proceedings due to the lack of transparency and their political nature.

Two European Nationals Arrested in Iran

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of two European nationals for alleged espionage and “association with foreign intelligence services.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Ensaf News, this claim was released in a statement by the public relations office of The Ministry of Intelligence. 

Without revealing the identities and nationalities of those arrested, the Ministry of Intelligence claimed: “These two European individuals, who had entered the country with the purpose of taking advantage of the people’s will to cause unrest, chaos, and social disorder, were detected and apprehended by security forces.”

The statement also claimed that the two individuals are related to ” foreign intelligence services” and were in contact with the Coordination Council of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association. 

Earlier also, on May 6, 2022, Iran’s regime arrested a Swedish tourist who was visiting Iran through a tour agency.

Eight Citizens Accused of Espionage in Detention in Urmia Prison 

Eight citizens, who were arrested and accused of espionage, have been detained since November 2021. On March 11, 2022, all these detainees but one were relocated to Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, eight citizens identified as Kamran Henareh, Vafa Henareh, Ashkan Othmannejad, Fakhredin Doodkanloo, Aran Omari, Rahman Parhazoo, Hasan Omarpour, Amir Moshtagh have been detained on the charge of espionage. Vafa Henareh is still held at a detention center and the rest are jailed in Urmia Prison. All these individuals have been indicted for espionage.

Although the prosecution of individuals for espionage is not considered a violation of human rights, there are concerns about the validity of these allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by Iran’s regime in order to suppress its political dissidents and due to the ambiguities in legal proceedings and the lack of transparency about such legal cases.