Journalism of Courage
Iran announced Wednesday that it executed a man accused of spying for Israel, a charge activists insist was based on a forced confession obtained under torture, AP reported.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency identified the executed man as Babak Shahbazi, alleging he collected and sold sensitive information on Iranian data centers and security sites to Israeli operatives. The group Iran Human Rights had warned Shahbazi could be executed.
Activists say Shahbazi was arrested after writing a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offering to assist Ukraine as it fights Russia. Tehran has supplied Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukraine.
The organization Iran Human Rights had earlier warned that Shahbazi’s life was at risk. “Babak’s message to President Zelenskyy offering to help in the war against Russia was used as an example of espionage for Israel — who they absurdly claimed taught Babak how to use Microsoft Word,” the group said. Iran made no mention of that allegation.
Shahbazi was described by activists as willing to fight on Ukraine’s behalf. Authorities did not detail the method of his execution, though death sentences in Iran are typically carried out by hanging.
Since the brief 12-day war with Israel, Iran has executed at least eight people on espionage charges, raising fears of a broader crackdown. That conflict saw Israeli airstrikes kill more than 1,100 people in Iran, including senior military figures, while Tehran retaliated with missile barrages.
(With inputs from AP)
