Monitoring Desk
DUBAI: Iran has sentenced an ex-senior official to death after convicting him on charges of spying for the United Kingdom, local media reported on Wednesday.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Iran’s judiciary said that Ali Reza Akbari, former deputy defense minister was a “key spy” for UK intelligence. The News agency said Iranian intelligence discovered the spying by providing him false information.
Tasnim said that the former official of Iran had also spied on past nuclear talks between Western Power and Iran. Ali Reza Akbari had served as deputy defense minister during the Government of former President Mohammad Khatami.
The United Kingdom Urged Iran
The United Kingdom urged Iran to release Ali Reza Akbari on Wednesday. A British foreign office spokesperson said in a statement that they are supporting the family of Akbari and have repeatedly raised his case with the Iranian officials.
It added that their priority is securing Akbari’s immediate release and they have reiterated their request for urgent consular access. Alireza Akbari, who ran a think tank, has not been seen in public since 2019, when he was apparently captured.
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Officials have not released any details about his trial. Tasnim reported that the Supreme Court of Iran upheld his sentence and that he had access to an attorney.
Ali Reza Akbari had previously led the implementation of a 1988 cease-fire between Iraq and Iraq after their devastating eight years war, working closely with United Nations observers.
