Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German dual national imprisoned in Iran, was executed on Monday, October 28, according to Mizan News Agency, a judiciary-affiliated media outlet. Sharmahd, who was charged with “corruption on earth through the design and orchestration of terrorist activities,” was sentenced to death by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court in February 2023.
Sharmahd was reportedly abducted by Iranian intelligence agents while in the United Arab Emirates and subsequently transferred to Iran. Throughout his detention, Sharmahd was denied basic rights, including access to an attorney of his choice, as well as regular contact with family members via visitation or phone calls.
The execution marks an escalation in strained relations between Iran and Germany. Germany has previously condemned the detention of Sharmahd, raising concerns over what it deemed violations of due process and the right to a fair trial. Additionally, diplomatic tensions heightened as German authorities cracked down on Iranian government-linked centers in Germany, which they accused of involvement in state-sponsored activities.
Allegations of Extortion by Court-Appointed Attorney
Sharmahd’s court-appointed lawyer reportedly demanded $250,000 from Sharmahd’s family to review his case, an action described by his daughters as an “unconventional request.” After the family refused to pay this sum, the court-appointed attorney allegedly told them he would merely be present at the trial without actively defending Sharmahd.
Sharmahd’s family sought to have their privately retained lawyer represent him in court, but Iranian judicial authorities refused to allow this attorney’s participation.
According to Sharmahd’s family, he endured prolonged torture while in custody, which included conditions that deprived him of the ability to distinguish between day and night.
Mizan News Agency did not disclose the location of Sharmahd’s execution, instead publishing only a brief statement acknowledging his death.
