Iran executes accused British spy by hanging

Iran executed former top defence official and dual British national, Alireza Akbari, who was accused of spying for United Kingdom intelligence, the judiciary reported.

Alireza Akbari, who was sentenced to death after being found guilty of "corruption on earth and for harming the country's internal and external security by passing on intelligence," had been executed, the judicial news agency Mizan reported.

Akbari was executed after being sentenced to death for “corruption on earth and harming the country’s internal and external security by passing on intelligence”, the judicial news agency Mizan Online reported.

“The actions of the British spy service in this case have shown the value of the convict, the importance of his access and the enemy’s trust in him,” it added.

Britain had demanded that Tehran halt what foreign minister James Cleverly has called a “politically motivated” execution.

State media had reported that 61-year-old Akbari had held high positions in the country’s defence establishment.

His posts included “deputy minister of defence for foreign affairs” and a position in the “secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council.”

Akbari had also been an “advisor to the commander of the navy” as well as “heading a division at the defence ministry’s research centre”.

Mizan, citing a statement from Iran’s intelligence ministry, had said earlier this week that Akbari became a “key spy” for Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, more commonly known as MI6, due to “the importance of his position”.