An Iranian-Swedish dual national was accused of masterminding a 2018 attack on a military parade that killed at least 25 people.
Iran has executed Farajollah Cha’ab
Cha’ab was a leader of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz, an Arab separatist group responsible for conducting oil pipeline bombings and other attacks in Iran’s oil-rich Khuzestan province. The group claimed responsibility for the 2018 attack. Cha’ab’s execution comes amidst tensions with the West over Iran’s nuclear program and after the Swedish court sentenced an Iranian to life in prison last year for his involvement in the 1988 mass executions in Iran.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom condemned Cha’ab’s execution and called the death penalty an “inhumane and irrevocable punishment”.
The execution was also condemned by Finland and Norway, who strongly oppose the death penalty
Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency confirmed Cha’ab’s execution by hanging in a lengthy statement. It identified him as the leader of the militant group and alleged that he had ties to Swedish, Israeli, and U.S. intelligence services. It accused his group of killing or wounding 450 people over the years, including multiple attacks on government offices and other sites.
Iran has used prisoners as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West, and at least one more prisoner with Western ties faces possible execution. Iran is one of the world’s top executioners.
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