Iran Executes Babak Shahbazi Amid Espionage Allegations, Activists Denounce Torture and Unfair Trial

 

Iran announced on Wednesday that it had carried out the execution of Babak Shahbazi, accusing him of spying for Israel. Human rights activists, however, argued that Shahbazi was subjected to torture and forced confessions before being sentenced.

 

According to the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, Shahbazi was a political prisoner held at Qezel Hesar Prison. He was convicted by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Salavati, on charges of “espionage for Israel” and “acting against national security.” The ruling was quickly upheld by the Supreme Court, an unusually fast confirmation.

 

The judiciary’s news outlet, Mizan, alleged that Shahbazi had collected and sold sensitive information about Iranian data centers and security facilities to Israeli agents. Activists, however, rejected the official narrative, stating that Shahbazi was initially arrested for writing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offering his assistance. Iran has supplied drones to Russia, which have been used in attacks on Ukraine.

 

Iran Human Rights said that Shahbazi’s message to Zelenskyy was misused by authorities as evidence of espionage. The group also noted claims that Iranian officials accused Israel of teaching Shahbazi basic computer skills, including how to use Microsoft Word.

 

Prior to his execution, Shahbazi had been placed in solitary confinement after his appeal for a retrial was denied for the third time. The Center for Human Rights in Iran had earlier expressed serious concerns that his execution was imminent. His daughter, Yasmin Shahbazi, also posted online, saying her father’s transfer to solitary confinement suggested preparations for his death sentence. She added that if her father was killed, the family would consider it an honor that he died innocent at the hands of what she called “murderers.”