Iran’s Mizan news agency reported on Saturday that Alireza Akbari was hanged after he allegedly confessed and was found guilty of corruption and action against Iran’s internal and external security.
Mizan said prosecutors had evidence that Akbari had been involved in meetings with enemy intelligence officers in different countries and in communications with Britain’s MI6 spy service. According to the agency, he received more than 1.8 million euros from the United Kingdom for his actions.
Akbari joined the private sector after leaving his position at the Defense Ministry. Mizan claimed that his recruitment to spy for the UK began when he obtained a visa from the British embassy in Tehran, alleging that he established relations with MI6.
Mizan reported numerous alleged incidents that he said demonstrated Akbari’s collaboration with British intelligence, including meetings with officials in more than half a dozen countries, and that he had provided information on Iranian scientists.
He also noted that Akbari has received British citizenship and has opened an account at a British bank.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called the execution a “barbaric act” and said it “will not go unchallenged”. He later added that the UK has sanctioned Iran’s attorney general.
The official agency did not report when the execution took place.
