Credited from: REUTERS
On September 29, Iran executed Bahman Choobiasl, identified as “one of the most important spies for Israel in Iran,” according to the judiciary's Mizan news agency. Choobiasl was accused of collaborating extensively with the Israeli intelligence service, particularly involving governmental data and telecommunications projects, as the ongoing conflict with Israel escalates tensions within Iran. His execution is the latest in a series of death penalties handed down by Iran, which has seen an uptick in such cases amid a perceived atmosphere of threats to national security, with at least 10 executed since June alone, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.
The executions come as Iran faces renewed sanctions imposed by the United Nations, further isolating the country amid rising domestic unrest and economic challenges. The Iranian government has characterized Choobiasl's actions as a significant threat, claiming he worked directly with Mossad to breach sensitive data systems within Iran. These developments follow a significant military confrontation with Israel in June, which reportedly resulted in extensive casualties, including over 1,100 people, and marked a period of intensified military engagement between the two nations. Reports indicate a troubling increase in executions—more than 1,000 this year alone, as documented by CBS News, TRT Global, and Al Jazeera.
Human rights activists have expressed grave concerns over the fairness of the trials leading to these executions, often alleging the use of torture to obtain confessions under duress. The case of Babak Shahbazi, another individual executed earlier in the month, exemplifies this issue, as activists argue he was coerced into a confession after advocating for foreign military support against Iran. The increasing trend of capital punishment in Iran has prompted international scrutiny, labeled by critics as a “return to industrial-scale executions,” particularly as the nation grapples with both external and internal pressures, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.