Iran executes four linked to alleged Israeli bomb plot
In a decisive move on Monday, Iran carried out the execution of four individuals, as confirmed by Iranian state media. The Supreme Court’s rejection of appeals preceded the execution, which was linked to an alleged Israeli intelligence operation.
The quartet faced charges of planning a bomb attack orchestrated by Israel’s Mossad agency, with accusations of illegally entering Iran from Iraq’s northern Kurdish region. The intended target was a factory in the central city of Isfahan, producing equipment for the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics. Iranian intelligence successfully thwarted the operation planned for the summer of 2022.
The Iranian judiciary’s website, Mizan Online, reported, “The death sentence of four members of a group affiliated with the Zionist spy organization… was carried out this morning.” The execution highlights the longstanding hostility between Iran and Israel, currently exacerbated by tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. Israel alleges Iran’s support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, while Iran accuses Israel of carrying out targeted killings of Iranian officials and scientists, allegations Tel Aviv neither confirms nor denies.
Iran’s frequent executions have drawn international attention, ranking second globally after China, according to Amnesty. In late December, three men and one woman were executed for alleged Mossad links. Last week, Mohammed Ghobadlou, convicted for his involvement in antigovernment protests in late 2022, was executed, raising concerns about unfair trial proceedings and due process violations. The United Nations’ human rights agency expressed alarm at the surge in executions, urging Iran to halt what they referred to as a “horrific wave of executions.”
Volker Turk, the UN human rights chief, characterized Iran’s execution record as “abominable,” citing an average of more than 10 people hanged weekly. The experts from the UN called for adherence to international human rights law and fair trial standards, emphasizing the need for Iran to address concerns regarding the rise in executions, which reached at least 834 in 2023, including individuals associated with nationwide protests.
