The government of Iran has executed two men convicted of espionage, according to a report by Mizan News Agency on Monday.
The judiciary-affiliated outlet stated that the executions were carried out at dawn following rulings by a revolutionary court in Karaj, located close to the capital, Tehran.
Iranian authorities accused the men of spying for Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad. However, details regarding their arrest and the timeline of their trial and sentencing were not immediately made public.
The executions have once again drawn attention to Iran’s use of capital punishment, which has been widely criticised by human rights groups. Critics argue that the death penalty is often employed as a tool of political intimidation.
A Norway-based organisation, Iran Human Rights, recently reported that at least 1,639 people were executed in Iran last year—the highest figure recorded in 35 years.
