Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel amid ongoing conflict: Reports

Indian Express

23-06-2025

Iran executed a man on Sunday convicted of working with Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, as per Iranian Tasnim news agency. The executed individual, Majid Mosayebi, was accused of attempting to pass on 'sensitive information' to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service.
AFP cited the Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online news platform, reporting that Mosayebi was hanged after completing all legal proceedings, including a final ruling by Iran's Supreme Court. The judiciary said:
'Majid Mosayebi… was hanged this morning after going through the full process of criminal procedure and after his sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court.'
The details of Mosayebi's arrest, including when he was taken into custody, have not been disclosed.
Since June 13—the date Israel launched its campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure—authorities in Iran have announced a flurry of arrests allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence operations.
On Saturday, police in Iran's Qom province said they had arrested 22 individuals with suspected ties to Israeli spy networks, reported AFP. The semi-official Fars news agency quoted a police intelligence official as saying:
'Twenty-two people were identified and arrested on charges of being linked to the Zionist regime's spy services, disturbing public opinion, and supporting the criminal regime.'
Further arrests were made Sunday in Kermanshah, a western province of Iran. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir confirmed that three individuals were detained for alleged espionage. Notably, one of the detainees is believed to hold citizenship from a European country.
Jahangir said, as quoted by Mizan:
'These arrests were made possible thanks to the rapid presence of the population and their assistance to the intelligence services, law enforcement agencies, and judicial officers.'
In response to the growing number of espionage-related cases, Jahangir also announced that special judicial branches would be set up within provincial prosecutors' offices and courts to handle such cases under 'extraordinary' procedures.
Iran frequently announces arrests of individuals it claims are spies working for Israel or other foreign powers, reported AFP, although it rarely provides supporting evidence. The country has executed numerous individuals over the years for alleged collaboration with Mossad.
According to human rights organisations such as Amnesty International, Iran is the world's second-highest executor of capital punishment after China.
(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)