Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel; Activists Say Confession Was Coerced

DUBAI — Iran executed a man it alleges spied for Israel on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, a case rights activists say involved torture and a forced confession.

Iranian authorities have long accused individuals of spying for foreign governments, and this execution follows such allegations in a case that drew condemnation from activists who said the defendant's televised confession was coerced. Human rights groups say the man was subjected to torture during detention and that the confession used to secure his conviction was false.

The Iranian judiciary has frequently cited espionage charges in cases involving suspected ties to Israel, sometimes releasing confessions on state media. Rights organizations and foreign governments have repeatedly criticized Iran's use of such confessions, saying they are often extracted under duress and that defendants lack meaningful access to independent legal counsel or impartial trials.

Independent verification of the details in the latest case was limited. Iran restricts foreign journalists' access to court proceedings and detention facilities, and international monitors are often barred from investigating allegations of torture and mistreatment. Activists and rights groups relied on accounts from family members, lawyers and dissident monitors to describe the conditions of detention and the alleged coercion.

The execution adds to a pattern cited by rights organizations of capital punishment in cases involving national security and espionage. International human rights groups have urged Tehran to halt executions tied to confessions obtained under questionable circumstances and to allow impartial, transparent judicial reviews.

Iran and Israel have long been adversaries, and Tehran frequently accuses opposition figures and detainees of cooperating with foreign intelligence services in cases that carry the death penalty. The Iranian government has defended its legal procedures in such matters, framing espionage prosecutions as necessary for national security.

The case will likely draw further scrutiny from international observers and rights organizations that monitor due process and the use of the death penalty. With limited independent access to Iran's legal proceedings, however, outside confirmation of the specific allegations about torture and coercion will remain difficult.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.