“The execution was an insensitive and cowardly act carried out by a barbaric regime that has no respect for the human rights of its people,” Sunak said. Relations between Iran and the United Kingdom have deteriorated significantly in recent times, not least because Iran has not released Akbari, despite numerous British requests.
Secretary of State James Cleverly calls carrying out the death penalty a “barbaric act”. Both Sunak and Cleverly say this cannot go unpunished.
Involved in murder
According to Iran, Akbari was involved in, among other things, the murder of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020. Akbari was arrested by Iran in 2019 when he returned to the country at the invitation of a senior official, allegedly for a nuclear consultation. He is said to have answered British questions about Fakhrizadeh prior to his arrest.
Iranian authorities say Akbari admitted to spying, but the former politician said he did so after being tortured.
Deputy Minister
Akbari served as Iran’s deputy minister of defense from 1997 to 2005. He was one of the diplomats involved in drafting the deal to end the Iran-Iraq war in 1988.
Polish scientist Maciej Walczak was released from Iran on Saturday, the Polish foreign ministry said. “This release has been one of the most important diplomatic goals for Poland this year.” Walczak was arrested in July for taking samples from the ground in an area he was not allowed to stay.