Alireza Akbari
Alireza Akbari (Persian: علیرضا اکبری; 21 October 1961 – c. 14 January 2023) was an Iranian politician, a senior Islamic revolutionary guard officer with Iranian and British citizenship, as well as an MI6 informant. He was Deputy Minister of Defence from 1998 to 2003 under General Ali Shamkhani during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami.
Alireza Akbari | |
|---|---|
Akbari in 2007 | |
| Deputy Minister of Defence | |
| In office February 2000 – 24 August 2005 | |
| President | Mohammad Khatami |
| Minister | Ali Shamkhani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 October 1961 Shiraz, Iran |
| Died | 14 January 2023 (aged 61) Tehran, Iran |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Citizenship | Iran United Kingdom |
Akbari was first arrested in Iran in 2009, accused of spying for Britain. Akbari was arrested again in 2019 while travelling from the United Kingdom to Iran, and sentenced to death for charges including accused of spying for Britain, Mofsed-e-filarz (translating to "corruption on Earth"), stemming from accusations that Akbari committed espionage on behalf of the United Kingdom's intelligence agency, MI6. Akbari and his family denied Iran's espionage charges.
On 14 January 2023, the Iranian Judiciary announced that Akbari had been executed by hanging after having been convicted of spying. Akbari's execution was met with controversy and condemnation, particularly from British political figures.