The Government of Spain has strongly condemned the execution in Iran yesterday of the British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari, who had been accused of espionage and of working for MI6, the UK intelligence service, and has decided to summon the Iranian ambassador to Spain to express its rejection.
As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation in a statement, the Spanish government calls «once again» on the Iranian authorities to «put an end» to executions and death sentences, while «reiterating its position against this punishment, in all countries of the world and in all circumstances».
Akbari’s trial was reportedly conducted in the presence of his lawyer and the death sentence was passed on the basis of «substantiated evidence,» Mehr news agency reported.
The sentence «was carried out on the charge of corruption in the land and extensive action against the internal and external security of the country through espionage for the intelligence apparatus of the British government,» the official news portal of the Iranian judiciary, Mizan, reported.
Considered by Tehran as one of the «most important agents» of MI6 and a «master of espionage», Akbari was deputy defense minister during the mandate of former Iranian president Mohammad Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005).
UNITED KINGDOM, «APPALLED» BY A «BARBARIC REGIME».
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has unequivocally condemned Akbari’s execution in a strong response on his Twitter account: «I am appalled by the execution of British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari in Iran,» he said.
«This is a callous and cowardly act, carried out by a barbaric regime that has no respect for the Human Rights of its own people. My thoughts are with Alireza’s friends and family,» he added.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Wednesday that the decision to execute Akbari was «a politically motivated act by a barbaric regime that has a total disregard for human life.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
