Trial of Johan Floodros, Swedish Citizen in Iran Begins; Charge: Intelligence Cooperation with Israel

Domestic media report the first session of the court addressing the 'charges' against Johan Floodros, a Swedish citizen, accused of intelligence cooperation with Israel. According to this report, the prosecutor accused Floodros of corruption on earth and extensive actions against national security. The prosecutor claimed that Floodros had been active against the Islamic Republic of Iran under the guise of 'subversive projects' centered around American, Israeli, and European institutions. The prosecutor also stated that Floodros had networked with elements of the European Union and representatives associated with the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization. Among the activities of Floodros mentioned by the prosecutor were: collecting information on human rights issues in Iran, women's rights, the latest status of opponents of the Islamic Republic, Iran's military activities, the status of sanctions, enrichment status, and nuclear issues; presence in Iran as part of a European Commission delegation while cooperating with European and Israeli intelligence agencies in Iran; attending and speaking at a research conference on migration focusing on tracking challenges and outlining solutions. At the end of this session, the prosecutor requested the death penalty for Floodros. Johan Floodros was arrested on April 17, 2022, while on a recreational trip to Iran with friends, on charges of 'espionage.' Floodros's family stated that he was arrested at the airport upon his return 'without any valid reason or legal process.' Human Rights Watch, on December 8, issued a statement marking the 600th day of detention of this Swedish employee of the European Union's diplomatic service by the Islamic Republic, calling for his immediate release. According to this organization, while 'the Swedish government and the European Union were quietly working behind the scenes for Floodros's release, his case was not initially made public. However, the family of this Swedish citizen broke the silence in September and called for increased efforts to free their son.' Human rights groups and Western governments say the Islamic Republic is trying to gain concessions from other countries through the detention of individuals on security charges, which are, in fact, baseless. The Iranian government denies the political nature of these arrests. Relations between Stockholm and Tehran have soured since 2019 when Sweden arrested Hamid Nouri for his role in the mass execution and torture of political prisoners in the 1980s. After several court sessions, Nouri was sentenced to life imprisonment last year. The Islamic Republic also executed Habib Chab, a Swedish-Iranian citizen, on May 5 this year, on charges of 'leading an Arab separatist group.' Sweden announced the start of the trial of one of its citizens in Iran; Johan Floodros has been imprisoned in Iran for a year and a half. Discussions between the foreign ministers of Germany and the Islamic Republic regarding the fate of Germans imprisoned in Iran. Human Rights Watch: Global efforts for the immediate release of Johan Floodros should be increased. Laleh Bazargan to VOA: We do not forgive Hamid Nouri; determination of the date of the final verdict. The case of Johan Floodros, the imprisoned Swedish diplomat, has been sent to court. Amnesty International has called for the release of Johan Floodros, the Swedish diplomat of the European Union, in Iran.