EU condemns Iran's execution of British-Iranian national over spying

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL (AA) – The EU on Sunday condemned in" the strongest terms" the execution of Iranian-British national Alireza Akbari.

The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement that the execution "of a European citizen is an appalling precedent that will be followed closely," expressing full solidarity with the UK.

"The European Union calls on Iran to refrain from any future executions and to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment," Borrell said, calling the death penalty "an ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment."

Akbari, Iran's former deputy defense minister, was executed early Saturday, days after being sentenced to death by the country's judiciary.

Iran's judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency said Akbari was executed on charges of "corruption on earth" and "extensive action against the country's internal and external security."

The former official, who served in the Cabinet of former President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), was accused of spying for the British intelligence agency MI6 on issues related to Iran's defense affairs, sanctions, nuclear talks, and regional issues.

He was described as "one of the most important infiltrators of MI6 in the sensitive and strategic centers of the country" who allegedly played a role in the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020.

Akbari's execution is likely to escalate tensions between Iran and the West, according to observers, amid reports that the EU is mulling a new round of sanctions against Tehran.