Iran Hangs An Alleged British Spy To Death.

Alireza Akbari, a former senior defense officer and dual citizen of the UK, was hanged by Iran on Saturday after being found guilty of espionage for the UK government, according to the court.

According to the judicial news outlet Mizan Online, Akbari was killed after being found guilty of “corruption on earth and undermining the country’s internal and exterior security through passing on information.”

The worth of the prisoner, the significance of his access, and the enemy’s confidence in him were shown by the British espionage service’s conduct in this instance, it said.

Britain has requested that Tehran put an end to an execution that its foreign minister, James Cleverly, described as being “politically motivated.”

The 61-year-old Akbari reportedly held important roles in the nation’s defense apparatus, according to official media on Thursday.

He held the positions of “deputy minister of defense for international relations” and “secretary of the Supreme National Security Council,” among other positions.

In addition, Akbari had “headed a section at the research center of the defence ministry” and served as “an adviser to the commander of the fleet.”

Akbari may be seen in a film released by Iranian media purportedly discussing his interactions with the British government.

Additionally, he claims that the British questioned him on the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in November 2020, which Tehran attributes to its longtime enemy Israel.

Veteran of the 1980–1988 Iran–Iraq War, Akbari was detained between March 2019 and March 2020, according to official media.

This week, Akbari became a “important spy” for Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, often known as MI6, according to Mizan, who cited a statement from Iran’s intelligence ministry. This was because of “the significance of his position,” according to Mizan.

The official government newspaper Iran released an interview with Akbari in February 2019, identifying him as a “former deputy defense minister” from Mohammad Khatami’s 1997–2005 administration.

Early in December, Iran hanged four persons who had allegedly collaborated with Israeli intelligence, according to Mizan.