Iran begins trial of dual national allegedly spying for Israel

Iran has opened the trial of a dual national holding European citizenship who is accused of cooperating with Israeli intelligence, as reported by Reuters via Tasnim news agency on December 8th.

The Alborz provincial attorney general stated that the individual, whose identity has not been made public, travelled to Iran roughly one month before the 12-day war in June. The person was taken into custody on the conflict’s fourth day by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who have played a central role in national security and counter-espionage operations.

Prosecutors say the arrest followed the discovery of “sophisticated spy and intelligence items and equipment” inside the defendant’s villa in Karaj. Authorities have alleged “intelligence cooperation and espionage in favour of the Zionist regime,” charges that carry some of the most severe penalties under Iranian law.

According to the Alborz provincial attorney general, the offenses being examined fall under the categories of “waging war against God” and “corruption on earth,” both of which are crimes that can be punishable by death.

The case unfolds against a broader backdrop in which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have detained numerous dual nationals and foreign citizens in recent years, primarily on accusations tied to espionage or threats to national security. Such detentions have seemingly increased following the attack on Iran by the US and Israel.

These detentions, such as the imprisonment of 2 French nationals by Iran,  have frequently prompted criticism from rights groups and several Western governments, which argue that such arrests are used to gain leverage in diplomatic and security-related negotiations.

Iranian officials, however, reject claims that the arrests of dual nationals are politically motivated. Tehran maintains that its security agencies act strictly on evidence of wrongdoing and do not pursue cases for strategic bargaining purposes.

The opacity surrounding the identity of the dual national accused, combined with the gravity of the charges, has added further tension to an already sensitive moment in Iran’s ongoing confrontation with Israel and its allies.

Reuters via Tasnim news agency, Maghrebi.org