Iran executes man for alleged spying for Israel, activists say he was tortured into false confession

Iran stated Wednesday (September 17, 2025) it executed a person it alleges spied for Israel, one thing disputed by activists who say he was tortured right into a false confession.

The judiciary’s Mizan information company recognized the executed man as Babak Shahbazi, who it claimed had gathered and bought delicate details about Iranian knowledge facilities and safety installations to Israeli handlers.

Activists, nonetheless, stated Shahbazi was detained over writing a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy providing his assist.

Iran has provided Russia with drones that Moscow has used to assault Ukraine. The group Iran Human Rights had warned Shahbazi could possibly be executed.

“Babak’s message to President Zelenskyy providing to assist in the battle in opposition to Russia was used for instance of espionage for Israel who they declare taught Babak to make use of Microsoft Word,” the group stated. Iran didn’t acknowledge that declare.

Activists had described Shahbazi as providing to struggle for Ukraine. Iran didn’t elaborate on the way it executed Shahbazi, although condemned prisoners usually are hanged.

Iran has hanged eight folks for espionage for the reason that 12-day battle with Israel, sparking fears from activists that the federal government might conduct a wave of executions.

Israel waged an air battle with Iran, killing some 1,100 folks, together with many navy commanders. Iran launched missile barrages focusing on Israel in response.

Iran carried out executions at “an alarming price” in 2024, with a minimum of 975 folks killed, in response to a U.N. report that additionally cited different human rights abuses, from boundaries to freedom of expression to the usage of torture and arbitrary detention.