Iran carried out the execution of Babak Shahbazi on Wednesday morning after convicting him of espionage and security cooperation with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. The execution took place following legal proceedings that included approval from the nation’s Supreme Court.

Authorities accused Shahbazi of providing sensitive information to operatives linked to Mossad. He had worked as a technician specializing in heating and cooling systems for data centers, including facilities linked to the country’s telecommunications sector.

Born in 1981, Shahbazi was a father of two children, aged 18 and 12. His case drew widespread attention because of the controversy surrounding his arrest, the charges placed against him, and the claims of forced confessions made during his detention.

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Shahbazi was detained in early 2024 after sending messages offering technical assistance to Ukraine during its conflict with Russia. This move was seen by the authorities as an act of defiance against the country’s support for Russia.

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Soon after his arrest, the accusations shifted from aiding Ukraine to claims that he had collaborated with Israeli operatives. Officials charged him with “espionage for Israel” and “corruption on earth,” which are both considered capital offenses in the country.

During his detention, Shahbazi was reportedly subjected to physical and psychological pressure to confess to working with Mossad. According to sources familiar with his case, he consistently refused to sign statements that were allegedly fabricated by the authorities. He was also placed in a cell with a prisoner linked to a violent militant group, raising concerns for his safety while in custody.

Legal experts and human rights monitors highlighted that the proceedings lacked transparency and fairness. They pointed to a pattern in which charges of espionage are often brought without substantial evidence and used to silence voices seen as opposing the government.

Shahbazi’s legal team sought multiple retrials to overturn his death sentence, but courts rejected these requests. Following the third rejection, he was moved to solitary confinement, a step that often signals an impending execution. Concerns grew rapidly after his transfer, with various groups warning that his life was in immediate danger.

Pattern of Harsh Sentences Raises Rights Concerns

Observers have noted that Shahbazi’s case fits into a broader pattern of prosecutions within the country where accusations of ties to Israel are used as grounds for harsh punishment. Espionage charges are often based on forced confessions or statements from other prisoners who may also be under pressure to cooperate.

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In Shahbazi’s case, authorities reportedly relied on a coerced statement from another prisoner who was later executed. That statement was said to have been made under the promise of financial rewards, raising further doubts about its credibility.

There were also claims that messages Shahbazi had sent to Ukraine were deliberately altered to appear as if they were directed to Israeli officials. This alleged falsification formed part of the evidence presented in court, despite repeated denials from his defense.

Rights groups described his trial as unfair and said he had been denied the chance for a final family visit, which is usually permitted before executions. Reports said he had been pressured to sign prewritten confessions in exchange for reducing his death sentence to a shorter prison term, but he refused.

Despite the absence of signed confessions, the court ruled against him, and the sentence was carried out at Ghezel Hesar prison, one of the largest detention facilities in the country. The prison is located around 20 kilometers northwest of Tehran and has previously been associated with high-profile executions.

The case gained further attention after a series of clashes between Iran and Israel earlier in the year. Authorities intensified their crackdown on suspected spies following the conflict, and multiple death sentences were handed out during this period. Shahbazi’s execution has become part of this wider wave of punitive measures that critics say are aimed at deterring dissent and instilling fear.