Alireza Akbari
Iranian politician (1961–2023) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alireza Akbari (Persian: علیرضا اکبری; 21 October 1961 – c. 14 January 2023) was an Iranian politician, a senior Islamic revolutionary guard officer with Iranian and British citizenship.[1][2][3][4] He was Deputy Minister of Defence from 1998 to 2003 under General Ali Shamkhani during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami.[5]
Alireza Akbari | |
---|---|
Deputy Minister of Defence | |
In office February 2000 – 24 August 2005 | |
President | Mohammad Khatami |
Minister | Ali Shamkhani |
Personal details | |
Born | (1961-10-21)21 October 1961 Shiraz, Iran |
Died | 14 January 2023(2023-01-14) (aged 61) Tehran, Iran |
Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
Citizenship | Iran United Kingdom |
Akbari was first arrested in Iran in 2009, accused of spying for Britain.[6][7][8] Akbari was arrested again in 2019 while travelling from the United Kingdom to Iran, and sentenced to death for charges including accused of spying for Britain,[9][1][10] Mofsed-e-filarz (translating to "corruption on Earth"),[11] stemming from accusations that Akbari committed espionage on behalf of the United Kingdom's intelligence agency, MI6.[9][12][13] Akbari and his family denied Iran's espionage charges.[14]
On 14 January 2023, the Iranian Judiciary announced that Akbari had been executed by hanging after having been convicted of spying.[15][16] Akbari's execution was met with controversy and condemnation, particularly from British political figures.[11]