Iranian authorities executed a 29-year-old postgraduate student from a prestigious Tehran university on Monday, following his conviction on espionage charges that rights groups have denounced as fabricated.
Execution Details
Erfan Shakourzadeh, 29, was hanged after being found guilty of collaborating with the CIA and Mossad, according to the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan Online website. The execution took place at dawn in Ghezel Hesar prison, located outside Tehran, after he was abruptly transferred from the capital's Evin prison earlier this month.
Background of the Victim
Shakourzadeh was a student at Tehran’s prestigious Iran University of Science and Technology. He had previously earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tabriz and was pursuing a master's degree in aerospace engineering at the time of his arrest. Norway-based rights groups Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Hengaw described him as an “elite student.”
Claims of Torture and False Confessions
IHR stated that Shakourzadeh was held in solitary confinement, subjected to torture, and forced to give false confessions. Hengaw reported that he endured nine months of severe physical and psychological torture in solitary confinement to extract these confessions. In a message published by both groups, Shakourzadeh rejected the accusations as baseless, claiming he was forced into false confessions due to torture. He urged, “Do not let another innocent life be lost in silence and without public attention.”
Official Accusations
Mizan Online alleged that Shakourzadeh had been working on satellite technology and provided sensitive information to foreign intelligence agencies about his workplace, access level, duties, and other details. The judiciary indicated that his “confessions” would be broadcast on state television Monday evening.
Broader Context
Shakourzadeh is the fifth person executed on espionage charges since the war began in late February. Since then, authorities have also executed 13 men charged over January protests, one more over 2022 demonstrations, and 10 accused of links to banned opposition groups, according to IHR. Rights groups have repeatedly accused Iran of using capital punishment to spread fear during times of international and domestic tension.
Iran's Execution Record
Iran is the world’s most prolific executioner after China, according to rights groups. Last year, it hanged at least 1,639 people, and IHR has recorded at least 190 executions so far in 2026.
