Iranian authorities have carried out the execution of a man found guilty of working as a spy for Israel, the latest in a sharp rise of such sentences that has drawn condemnation from international human rights observers.
Details of the Espionage Case
The Iranian judiciary confirmed that Ali Ardestani was hanged on Wednesday, January 7. According to the Mizan News Agency, which is linked to the judiciary, Ardestani was convicted of sharing sensitive information with Israel's Mossad intelligence service. The reports state he provided images and photographs of specific locations, along with intelligence on potential targets, and received payment in cryptocurrency for his services.
A Pattern of Executions and International Condemnation
This execution marks at least the twelfth such case since the intense 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June. That war caused significant damage to Iranian nuclear and ballistic facilities and saw the deaths of senior military officials in strikes blamed on intelligence operations.
Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the execution. Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam, director of the Norway-based Iran Human Rights, stated the sentence had no legal legitimacy. "The death sentence against Ardestani, like many other executions in Iran, was issued without a fair trial and based on forced confessions," he said.
Amiry Moghaddam highlighted that this was the first execution for espionage since nationwide protests over the high cost of living erupted in Iran on December 28. He argued that the government's aim with such executions, especially during protests, is to spread fear among the public.
Broader Context of Executions in Iran
Iran is considered the world's second-most prolific executioner after China. Rights groups estimate that at least 1,500 people were executed in the country in the last year alone.
Since the June war, Iranian officials have promised swift trials for anyone accused of collaborating with Israel. Tehran, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist, has long accused it of sabotage attacks on its nuclear program and assassinating Iranian scientists.
However, rights groups continue to raise alarms that these charges may lead to the execution of innocent people while genuine foreign intelligence agents escape capture. Mossad has not publicly commented on this specific case.
