Tehran (Lamaane.net) – Iranian judiciary-linked media outlet Mizan News Agency reported on Wednesday, April 22, that Iranian authorities executed Mehdi Farid after he was convicted by Tehran's Revolutionary Court of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence service and transmitting what officials described as sensitive national security information.
The Iranian judiciary said Mehdi Farid, an employee of a civil defense unit within a sensitive organization, was executed following final approval by the Supreme Court and completion of legal procedures.
Authorities stated that Farid was found guilty of exploiting his official position to collect classified information and transfer it to Israeli intelligence services, according to Mizan News Agency.
The execution was carried out early Wednesday at an undisclosed location, according to the Norwegian-based human rights organization Hengaw, which monitors developments in Iran.
Hengaw said Farid had not been publicly acknowledged as detained prior to the announcement of his execution. "The execution was conducted in secrecy,” Hengaw stated, adding that he was arrested on June 1, 2024, and initially sentenced to 10 years in prison before the case was escalated to a death sentence by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Residents near judicial facilities in Tehran described heightened security presence during the early morning hours, though no official confirmation of the exact execution site was provided. "We saw increased security movement, but no details were shared with the public,” said a Tehran-based taxi driver, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A legal representative familiar with similar cases told Lamaane News Network that espionage trials in Iran often involve "classified evidence that is not disclosed to defense lawyers or the public,” complicating independent verification of charges.
Iranian officials alleged that Farid provided intelligence on organizational structures, facility layouts, security conditions, and identities of officials. State media has repeatedly linked similar cases to alleged Mossad infiltration efforts, though Israel rarely comments on such accusations.
Hengaw researcher Aram Rashidi said, "These cases reflect a broader pattern of escalating national security prosecutions.” A Tehran-based political analyst said, "The judiciary is sending a strong deterrent message amid heightened regional tensions.”
The case comes amid a series of recent executions in Iran involving individuals accused of cooperation with Israeli intelligence. Iranian authorities reportedly executed another man on Tuesday for alleged involvement in a Mossad-linked network, followed by two additional executions on Monday for similar charges.
Human rights organizations Iran Human Rights and Together Against the Death Penalty reported that at least 1,639 executions were carried out in Iran during 2025, marking the highest annual figure since 1989. The report indicated a 68 percent increase compared to 2024, with 48 women among those executed.
The latest execution underscores ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, as well as continued international scrutiny of Iran’s judicial practices, particularly in cases involving national security and espionage allegations.
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