Background and career
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. He was Deputy Minister of Defence from 1998 to 2003 under General Ali Shamkhani during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami.
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 allegations 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.
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