Iranian Official Contradicts Tehran's Claim on Prisoner's Death

An Iranian official has alleged that Iranian-German prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd died before his scheduled execution, contradicting earlier claims by Tehran that he was executed on October 28. Asghar Jahangir's statement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Germany; Berlin decided to close Iranian consulates in response to Sharmahd's controversial death. Jahangir told the Quds newspaper that Sharmahd, 69, "passed away before implementation of the sentence."

Iran accused Sharmahd of orchestrating a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 and disclosed sensitive information on missile sites. His family, based in the US, and international bodies maintain the charges were false and his trial largely a charade. Sharmahd, a resident of California, was reportedly abducted in Dubai in 2020, with his last known communication dated July 28, 2020.

Germany's closure of consulates marks a rare diplomatic move intended to signal severe disapproval of Iran's actions. However, Iran, including reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, has criticized Germany and other Western nations. Pezeshkian questioned the West's stance, stating, "When someone, who has slaughtered dozens, is executed, they say you do not observe human rights." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)