Iran executes dual British citizenship for espionage

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has criticized Iran’s execution of a British-Iranian citizen. He condemned it as murder “by a barbaric regime that does not respect the human rights of its own people.”

Earlier on Saturday, Iran announced the execution of Ali Reza Akbari, a former deputy defense minister, days after he was sentenced to death on charges of spying for Britain.

I was stunned by the execution of British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari in Iran. Sunak said on Twitter.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also issued a statement following the execution, saying it would not go “unchallenged”.

This barbaric act deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The Iranian regime has once again demonstrated its blatant disregard for human life through this politically motivated act.

We will summon the Iranian charge d’affairs to make clear our disgust at Iran’s actions. “Our thoughts are with the Akbari family,” he said shortly before the senior Iranian diplomat was summoned to Britain.

According to Iran’s Mizan news agency, Akbari carried out corruption charges and “widespread actions against the country’s internal and external security”.

In an audio recording purportedly from Akbari and broadcast by BBC Persian on Wednesday, he said he confessed to crimes he did not commit after extensive torture.

The United States condemns the execution of Iran

On Saturday, the US ambassador to London said that the United States condemns the execution of the British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari, describing his execution as “appalling”.

“The execution of British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari in Iran is appalling and disgusting,” Ambassador Jane Hartley said on Twitter. The United States joins the United Kingdom in condemning this barbaric act. My thoughts are with Alireza’s family.”

Germany calls Iran’s execution “another inhumane act”

The German Foreign Ministry expressed its solidarity with the United Kingdom, describing Tehran’s execution as “another inhumane act”.

“The execution of Alireza Akbari is yet another inhuman act by the Iranian regime,” the office said on Twitter. “We stand with our British friends and will continue to closely coordinate our actions against the regime and our support for the Iranian people.”

French President Macron: Iran’s recent execution is heinous and barbaric

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that the execution of British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari was a heinous and barbaric act.

Macron said he stood in solidarity with Britain, which condemned the execution and defied British and American calls for the release of Akbari, 61, after he was sentenced to death on charges of spying for Britain.