Iran Executes Nuclear Scientist Accused of Spying for 'Great Satan' US
An Iranian nuclear scientist was executed by the Iranian government for allegedly spying for the United States. Shahram Amiri once revealed that he was kidnapped by the CIA; he has been in custody since 2010 in Iran.
Amiri connected with "Great Satan"
Hojjat al-Eslam Mehdi Mohseni-Ejehei, Iranian judicial spokesperson, said that Amiri was able to get his hands on top secret documents and has become connected to their most hated enemy, "Great Satan" or the United States. The spokesman reported Amiri's execution Sunday to news agency IRNA.
The Iranian High Court reviewed Amiri's case and came up with the conviction after deliberating for a long time. Mohseni-Ejehei said that the High Court paid extra care to review the case with espionage as the number one allegation for Amiri.
In Iran, treason is punishable to up to 10 years imprisonment or death. In the case of Amiri, lower courts have already provided their ruling and they have considered execution.
Amiri before he was executed
Amiri went to Saudi Arabia for a religious pilgrimage in 2009 and this was the time when he vanished. Tehran accused Washington of abducting Amiri but the U.S. has denied any involvement with his disappearance.
After a year, a video of Amiri was released showing a man who said that he was the scientist. The man denied that he was a defector and said that he hid from the CIA in Virginia. Still another video surfaced where Amiri is shown to be enjoying a free life in Arizona.
Amiri's return to Tehran
On July 14, 2010, Amiri returned to Tehran. He went through Iran's interest section at the Pakistani embassy in Washington. Again, Amiri was vocal about his claims of being kidnapped by CIA operatives.
Press TV interviewed Amir and he said that he suffered extreme psychological pressure which was worse than being kept in prison. U.S. officials on the other hand said that Amiri had voluntarily defected and gave information voluntarily.
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
Last year, Iran said that it was willing to follow a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action along with the P5+1 group of nations which include the U.S., U.K., France, China and Russia along with Germany. The agreement states that Iran would follow some important terms such as reduction of its uranium stores by 98 percent, remove its centrifuges in the next 15 years, reduce research activities and allow inspections and send spent fuel abroad.
In exchange with Iran following these terms, several sanctions against the country will be removed.
