Amnesty warns of rising executions in Iran amid Israel conflict

Iran must halt planned executions and protect detainees accused of espionage from torture and ill-treatment, Amnesty International said Friday, warning of a surge in politically motivated death sentences following the escalation of hostilities with Israel.

Since June 13, Iranian authorities have arrested scores of people over alleged collaboration with Israel, executed one man, and publicly called for expedited trials and capital punishment. Amnesty said many detainees are at risk of torture, coerced confessions, and unfair trials.

“The authorities are weaponizing the death penalty to instill fear and assert control,” said Hussein Baoumi, Amnesty’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. He said using executions in cases that do not involve intentional killing, such as espionage, violates international law.

Iran’s Supreme Council of National Security has said that actions perceived as supporting Israel—including sharing information, promoting dissent, or even improving Israel’s image—could be charged as “corruption on earth” or “enmity against God,” both capital offenses under Iranian law.

Amnesty expressed concern for at least eight individuals already on death row for similar charges, including Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali. Others named include detainees held in prisons in Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Fars, and Alborz provinces. Amnesty said several of them were convicted in trials marred by forced confessions and torture.

The human rights group also criticized a bill recently fast-tracked by Iran’s parliament that would automatically make espionage punishable by death, removing prosecutorial requirements to prove broader acts of “corruption.”