Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel, Activists Allege Torture and False Confession

Tehran:  Iran has executed a man it claimed was a spy for Israel, marking the ninth person to be hanged for espionage since the country's 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States in June. The execution, reported by the state news agency on Wednesday, comes as Iranian authorities continue a push to root out those they allege collaborated with Israel during the recent conflict.

The executed man was identified as Babak Shahbazi, who, according to state media, had gathered and sold sensitive information about Iranian data centers and security installations to Israeli handlers. The report stated that Shahbazi worked as a contractor designing and installing industrial cooling devices for companies linked to Iranian telecommunications, military, and security institutions. His lawyer had requested an appeal to the Supreme Court, which was rejected. 

However, human rights activists have vehemently disputed the state’s claims, asserting that Shahbazi was tortured into making a false confession. The Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights had previously warned of his potential execution. According to them, Shahbazi was originally detained for writing a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offering his help in the war against Russia. Iran has been a key supplier of drones to Russia for its attacks on Ukraine, a policy that has drawn internal criticism.

"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 claim taught Babak to use Microsoft Word," the group stated, as reported by The Associated Press. Iran has not acknowledged this specific claim. Activists had described Shahbazi as offering to fight for Ukraine.

State media reported that Shahbazi had worked alongside Esmaeil Fekri, another convict who was executed in June on similar charges of spying for Israel since early 2022.

The method of Shahbazi's execution was not elaborated upon by Iran, but condemned prisoners in the country are typically hanged.

Wednesday's execution has amplified fears among activists of a potential wave of executions as Iran pursues swift trials for individuals suspected of collaborating with Israel in the aftermath of the June conflict. That 12-day period saw Israel launch extensive air attacks targeting Iran's top generals, nuclear scientists, and residential areas, to which Iran retaliated with missile and drone barrages. The United States also conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Israel's behalf during the conflict.

Entangled in a decades-long shadow war with Israel, Iran has frequently put to death individuals accused of having ties with Israel's Mossad intelligence service and facilitating its operations within the country. This latest execution underscores the heightened tensions and the government's resolve to enforce its security measures in the wake of the full-blown June conflict.

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