Iran carried out the death penalty on an individual found guilty of collaborating with Israeli intelligence agencies
In recent times, Iran has witnessed a surge in the use of capital punishment, a trend that has raised serious concerns among international bodies such as the United Nations (UN) and Amnesty International. The execution of two individuals, Rouzbeh Vadi and Mehdi Askarazadeh, reportedly took place on Wednesday, adding to the growing number of executions in the country.
Although specific details about Vadi and Askarazadeh's cases are scant due to the secretive nature of these trials, their executions appear to be part of Iran's broader crackdown on political dissent and alleged espionage. The Iranian authorities have been accused of using charges such as “enmity against God,” “corruption on Earth,” and espionage to silence political dissent and minority rights activists, with trials often involving severe procedural violations, including lack of fair trial guarantees and confessions under duress.
The surge in executions in the first half of 2025 saw at least 612 people put to death, more than double the number from the previous year, with a significant portion related to political offenses and espionage accusations. The government uses espionage charges to intimidate and suppress potential unrest following recent conflicts.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Iran to impose an immediate moratorium on the death penalty, condemning the “disturbing escalation” and highlighting the flawed judicial processes. Amnesty International, on the other hand, has condemned secret executions of political dissidents, calling for an immediate halt to planned executions and an official moratorium aiming at abolishing the death penalty in Iran. The organisation highlights the use of torture, fabricated charges, and the absence of due process in these cases.
It is unclear whether Vadi and Askarazadeh faced espionage or dissent-related charges, but given the current legal environment in Iran and the international criticism, it is likely that they faced similar accusations. The execution of Mehdi Askarazadeh, however, was not related to espionage or collaboration with foreign intelligence.
The high number of executions in Iran has been a topic of debate, with 975 death sentences carried out in 2024, the highest number since 2015. The international community continues to express concern about the human rights situation in Iran and calls for adherence to international human rights standards.
- The surge in executions in Iran, particularly those related to political offenses and espionage accusations, has become a significant topic of discussion in the realms of general news and politics, with international bodies such as the United Nations (UN), Amnesty International, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urging Iran to impose an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and adhere to international human rights standards.
- The escalating number of executions in Iran, which includes the cases of individuals like Rouzbeh Vadi and Mehdi Askarazadeh, has raised serious concerns about crime and justice in the country, with the international community condemning secret executions of political dissidents, the use of fabricated charges, and the absence of due process in these trials.
