The Islamic Republic Executed Another Person on Charges of Connection with Israel

Government news agencies in Iran reported the execution of a prisoner on "security charges" in the early hours of Sunday, March 4. The Islamic Republic's media claimed without providing evidence that this individual was a "Mossad agent" (the Israeli intelligence agency) and that he intended to blow up the Ministry of Defense workshop complex in Isfahan on January 28 last year under the guidance of a Mossad officer. According to the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Hrana, channels close to Iranian government institutions also claimed that the executed person was responsible for last year's explosions. As of the time of writing this report, the Islamic Republic's media had not disclosed the identity of this person or the location of the execution. In December of this year, the Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, reported the execution of a person on charges of "connection with foreign services including Mossad" in Zahedan prison. This news agency did not mention the identity of the executed individual, stating: "This person, while being in contact with foreign services including Mossad, deliberately collected classified information and provided documents to foreign services, especially Mossad, with the participation of his associates." The execution of political activists and opponents of the Islamic Republic based on fabricated and baseless charges, including "collaboration with hostile governments," especially Israel, has a precedent. Among these cases are the recent executions of four Kurdish Iranian political prisoners named Pejman Fatehi, Mohammad Faramerzi, Vafa Azarbar, and Mohsen Mazloom, who were executed despite widespread international protests. These four were members of the Komala Party of Kurdistan, arrested last year in Urmia, and accused of "spying for Israel," an accusation strongly denied by the four themselves. Their lawyer also protested the "unfair trial process" regarding these charges. The execution of these individuals faced widespread international reactions and protests from activists and prominent figures opposing the Iranian government. Additionally, see: Continued reactions to the execution of 4 political prisoners; "lacking legal legitimacy" and "a declaration of war" against the people of Iran. In the latest report from "Freedom House" published last Thursday, the Iranian government was identified as one of the violators of freedom in the past year, and Iran continues to be recognized as a "non-free" country in terms of freedom index. Also see: Annual report from "Freedom House": The Islamic Republic is an "autocratic regime" and Iran is a "non-free" country. Lawyer Abbas Daris: The reason for my client's charge of Moharebeh was never proven, yet the death sentence was issued. Kurdistan Human Rights Network: Three prisoners accused of "spying for Israel" were tortured before their execution. Continued suicides of prisoners in Urmia prison; a political prisoner ended his life. Molavi Abdolhamid: Political killings and executions have not deterred the people from their demands. Hengaw: At least 32 prisoners have died in the prisons of the Islamic Republic in 2023. A death sentence was issued for another protester; Shahin Vossaf has been accused of "spying for Israel." Exclusive to Voice of America; Javid Rahman: The people of Iran have the courage to resist the Islamic Republic. The "Campaign Against Executions in Iran"; activists on social media are calling for an end to this 45-year-old rope. Monthly report from the Kurdistan Human Rights Network: 10 Kurdish prisoners were executed in one month.