Iranian State Executes German-Iranian Jamshid Sharmahd
Convicted in 2023, Executed on Monday
Iranian state media has confirmed that Jamshid Sharmahd, a 69-year-old person with both Iranian and German nationality, was executed on Monday following his conviction in 2023. He was sentenced to death by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court and had been in detention since his alleged involvement in a deadly 2008 attack on a mosque in the Iranian city of Shiraz, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people.
Background and Allegations
Sharmahd was accused of being in contact with FBI and CIA officers, as well as Israeli Mossad agents. He was also accused of serving as the "ringleader" of the Tondar group, an armed wing of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran that seeks to restore Iran’s monarchy. He had been residing in California when he is believed to have been kidnapped in Dubai and subsequently detained in Iran.
Campaign for Justice
Sharmahd’s daughter, Gazelle, has been an outspoken advocate for her father’s case. Gazelle fought tirelessly, pleading for Berlin and other European countries to intervene and prevent his execution. German authorities, along with other international bodies, had called for the death sentence to be lifted. "I don’t think words can change a terrorist regime," Gazelle said soon after her father’s conviction. "This is a regime that kidnaps people like my Dad from outside of Iran, takes them over there. … This terrorist regime will not respond to any kind of talks or diplomacy."
Execution Confirmation
Iranian state news outlets and the legal news site Mizan reported that the execution took place on Monday morning in full accordance with the legal sentence. The highest court in Iran had upheld Sharmahd’s death sentence last October.
Reactions from German Officials
Germany has strongly condemned the execution, with both German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeling it a "murder" and expressing shock. Baerbock stated:
"Jamshid Sharmahd has been kidnapped from Dubai to Iran, held for years without a fair trial and has now been killed. We made it clear to Tehran time after time that executing a German national would have serious consequences."
Olaf Scholz echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Sharmahd was denied the opportunity to defend himself in court and that Germany has done everything possible to assist him.
Rights Observers and Opposition
Amnesty International, along with various German opposition leaders, have criticized the legal proceedings as unjust. Rights NGO Amnesty International accused Iran of conducting a "grossly unfair" trial. Sharmahd was reportedly denied access to an independent lawyer and was allegedly forced to make false confessions under state pressure.
Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz has called the execution a "heinous crime" and a "mockery" of international legal standards. Merz has urged the German government to expel the Iranian ambassador and take tougher measures against Iran.
critic of Iran’s detainment practices
All of these incidents and allegations serve as examples of the larger debate surrounding Iran’s treatment of dual nationals and the resolution of criminal justice issues in a highly charged political environment.
Call to Action
This tragic episode underscores the necessity for continued vigilance and international cooperation in promoting fairness and justice. Issues such as the extradition of citizens and the legal proceedings in countries facing international criticism are delicately complex, with political and moral implications. The international community must continue to engage, advocate, and ensure that extradition of nationals is done fairly and justly.
To learn more, explore the links provided for detailed reports and official statements on the case.