Wed May 28 06:40:00 UTC 2025: **Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel Amid International Condemnation**
**Tehran, Iran** – Pedram Madani, an Iranian man accused of spying for Israel, was executed on Wednesday, May 28th, according to a report by Mizan News Agency, the official news outlet of the Iranian judiciary. The execution has drawn condemnation from international human rights organizations, who had warned of the imminent threat to Madani’s life.
Mizan reported that Madani was arrested in 2020 and charged with espionage and illegally obtaining funds through foreign currency transactions in Europe and digital currencies. The report alleged that Madani, who frequently traveled to Germany prior to his arrest, attempted to pass classified information, including the locations of infrastructure facilities, to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad through secure channels.
News of Madani’s transfer from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison in recent days sparked fears of his imminent execution. His mother released a video expressing deep concern and calling for a review of his case, citing a lack of transparency regarding his situation. Prominent Iranian figures, including writer and Islamic scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, had also called for a halt to his execution.
Olivier Vandecasteele, a French citizen previously imprisoned in Iran, expressed deep concern about the possible execution of his former cellmate, calling on the international community to intervene. European Parliament member Hannah Neumann also urged an immediate halt to the execution, citing concerns about due process and judicial independence in Madani’s case.
The execution comes a day after Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report highlighting a surge in executions in Iran and the imminent risk faced by several political prisoners, including the 41-year-old Madani. HRW described the relentless wave of executions in Iran as “horrific” and called on the international community to pressure Iranian authorities to halt them.
According to HRW, Iran executed 113 people in the first 25 days of May alone, bringing the total number of executions in the country this year to 478. The organization reported a 75% increase in executions in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. HRW warns that if the trend continues, over 1,000 people, including ethnic minorities, political dissidents, and individuals convicted of drug-related offenses, could face execution by the end of the year. The report also highlights the disproportionate impact on women and marginalized communities.
HRW also expressed concern over the imminent execution of Mehdi Hassani, 48, and Behrouz Ehsani Islamloo, 69, who are being held in Ghezel Hesar Prison on vague charges of “corruption on earth” linked to alleged affiliation with the Mojahedin-e Khalq organization, armed rebellion, and enmity against God.
Human rights organizations have consistently condemned executions in Iran and called for an immediate end to the practice. Since January 2024, prisoners sentenced to death in Iran have launched a campaign called “No to Executions Tuesdays,” staging weekly hunger strikes to protest the surge in executions and to draw international attention.
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