The Islamic Republic has sentenced four to death for judicial authorities “collaborating with Israeli intelligence services and committing kidnappings.”
Iran’s Mizan News Agency, which is affiliated with the Justice Ministry, said Wednesday that the four people arrested in June were “destroying private and public property and obtaining false confessions.”
The Islamic Republic has long accused its arch-nemesis Israel of conducting covert operations in its country. However, it does not provide evidence to substantiate the claims against those sentenced to death. The Iranian judiciary has never conducted such trials with transparency, and it is not clear whether such trials have actually taken place.
Over the years, the Islamic Republic has often accused Israel and the West of having spies in the country, while due process is not being followed during political and security trials.
Now, the identity of the defendant has been released, claiming that “this rogue network under the guidance of the Israeli intelligence service” had committed the crime.
Israel is believed to have been behind the assassinations and sabotage of Iran’s nuclear facilities, but no one has ever been brought to justice in these cases.
On Wednesday, three others were sentenced to five to 10 years in prison for crimes including acting against national security and possessing illegal weapons.
The international community and human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concern over the Islamic Republic’s detentions, fake trials, and death sentences for people.
