Italy condemns Iran's execution of British-Iranian national over spying

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Iran's execution of a British-Iranian national on Saturday on charges of espionage for the British intelligence agency MI6.

“The Italian Government strongly condemns the horrendous execution of Alireza #Akbari,” Tajani wrote on Twitter.

“We express solidarity to the family and the UK. We call on #Iran to stop this barbaric spiral of violence against peaceful and legitimate protesters,” added Tajani, who is also the deputy prime minister.

Akbari, a former deputy defense minister, was executed early Saturday, days after being sentenced to death by the country's judiciary.

Iran's judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency said Akbari was executed on charges of "corruption on earth" and "extensive action against the country's internal and external security."

The former official, who served in the Cabinet of former President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), was accused of spying for MI6 on issues related to the country's defense affairs, sanctions, nuclear talks and regional issues.

He was described as "one of the most important infiltrators of MI6 in the sensitive and strategic centers of the country" who allegedly played a role in the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November 2020.

Akbari’s execution is likely to escalate tensions between Iran and the West, according to observers, amid reports that the EU is mulling a new round of sanctions against Tehran.