DAILY-FARSI-HE SOURCES

[58056] Iran executed Ehsan Afrashteh on charges of spying for the Mossad

Iranian authorities executed Ehsan Afrashteh this morning, a software engineer who was accused of spying for Israel and maintaining ties with the Mossad.

Execution in Iran on charges of espionage for Israel

On the morning of May 13, 2026, the Iranian judiciary, through the state news agency Mizan, announced the execution by hanging of Ehsan Afrashteh. Afrashteh, born in 1993 and an information technology expert, was arrested in early 2024 upon his return from Turkey.

The Authorities' Version

According to reports in media outlets affiliated with the regime, including آخرین خبر and Saberin News, Afrashteh operated under the codename "James." Officials claimed that he underwent training in Nepal, was fluent in English, French, and Hebrew, and transmitted over 300 messages to his handlers in the Mossad. It was further claimed that early on, he worked as a ride-sharing taxi driver to carry out intelligence missions.

Criticism by Human Rights Organizations

On the other hand, international bodies and human rights organizations, including DW Persian, present a different picture. According to their reports, based in part on data from the 'Center for Human Rights in Iran,' the conviction was based on "forced confessions under torture" and lacked solid evidence. According to these organizations, Afrashteh was held for a prolonged period in solitary confinement before being transferred to Evin Prison, and he denied all charges against him throughout the legal process.

The case highlights the ongoing intelligence tension between Tehran and Jerusalem, as the Iranian regime continues to use the death penalty as a central tool against those accused of collaborating with foreign intelligence services.