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Death sentence for Iranian charged of espionage for Israel

Iran Materials 30 June 2008 11:35 (UTC +04:00)

An Iranian charged with espionage for Iran's arch- enemy Israel has been sentenced to death, Fars news agency reported Monday.

An unnamed official of the intelligence service told Fars that Ali Ashtari was sentenced to death by a revolutionary court for spying for the "Zionist regime."

Espionage convictions in Iran usually attract either the death sentence or heavy jail terms as, according to Islamic law, the convicts are "mohareb" (enemies of God).

The official said the sentence still had to be confirmed by the Supreme Court. Ashtari could also still appeal the verdict, reported dpa.

The last court sitting for Ashtari was held on Saturday when he replied to the charges. His lawyer was allowed to give a closing speech.

The revolutionary court, in charge of national security offences, had presented tools put at the disposal of the accused by the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad for the purpose of spying on Iran.

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