Cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists
world1 day ago
Iran has executed British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported on Saturday, after sentencing him to death on charges of spying for Britain.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Friday that Iran must not follow through with the execution of Akbari, a former Iranian deputy defence minister.
Britain had described the death sentence as politically motivated and called for his immediate release.
"Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death on charges of corruption on earth and extensive action against the country’s internal and external security through espionage for the British government's intelligence service ... was executed,” Mizan said in a tweet.
It accused him of receiving 1,805,000 euros, 265,000 pounds, and $50,000 for spying.
In an audio recording broadcast by BBC Persian on Wednesday, Akbari said he had confessed to crimes he had not committed after extensive torture.
Iranian state media broadcast a video on Thursday that they said showed that Akbari played a role in the 2020 assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, killed in a 2020 attack outside Tehran which authorities blamed at the time on Israel.
In the video, Akbari did not confess to involvement in the assassination but said a British agent had asked for information about Fakhrizadeh.
Iran’s state media often airs purported confessions by suspects in politically charged cases.
Reuters could not establish the authenticity of the state media video and audio, or when or where they were recorded.
Ties between London and Tehran have deteriorated in recent months as efforts have stalled to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear pact, to which Britain is a party.
ALSO READ:
Cross-border shelling has killed at least 70 civilians, including children, rescue workers and journalists
world1 day ago
Northeastern University in Boston says the action was taken after some protesters resorted to virulent anti-Semitic slurs
world1 day ago
Alongside regional leaders, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the meetings
world1 day ago
The Argentinian's beauty got many looking for the 'fountain of youth': She can't be that old, Netizens say
world2 days ago
A plea moved in court stated that no one is permitted to wear the official state institution outfit
world2 days ago
The ruins in the middle of Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija province are a tourist draw, even as the region swelters in extreme heat
world3 days ago
Friday's polling will be held for 88 of the total 543 seats in the lower house or Lok Sabha of Parliament with 160 million people eligible to vote
world3 days ago
Kerala will decide the fate of 194 candidates as polling on all 20 parliamentary constituencies will be held in the second phase
world3 days ago