In brief
On October 28, 2024, Iran’s judiciary confirmed the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a 69-year-old German-Iranian national, who had resided in the U.S. The execution follows his abduction by Iranian agents from Dubai in 2020 and his subsequent conviction for allegedly orchestrating a deadly terrorist bombing in Iran in 2008. Sharmahd and his family have vehemently denied the charges, describing the trial as an unjust sham.
Sharmahd was living in California at the time of his kidnapping and operated a website for the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, alternatively known as Tondar, which advocates for the overthrow of the Iranian government and the restoration of the monarchy. The group has claimed responsibility for violent acts against Iran in the past.His legal troubles had reached a tipping point earlier when a man identified as an Iranian agent accepted guilt for attempting to assassinate Sharmahd in the U.S. a decade ago, yet he managed to evade prosecution. The execution of Sharmahd, who held dual German and Iranian citizenship, has triggered significant outcry and concern globally, as it highlights the Iranian regime’s willingness to execute individuals with Western ties. In the previous year, Iran similarly executed two other dissidents with dual citizenship, showcasing an alarming trend regarding the treatment of critics living abroad.
