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Iran convicts man of spying for Germany

August 11, 2020

Iran says it has recently arrested five Iranians who it claims have been involved in espionage activities for other nations. Two have now been given prison sentences, one for spying for Germany.

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The Iranian flag flies over the city of Tehran
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/V. Salemi

Two of five Iranians arrested in Iran in recent months for spying for foreign nations have been convicted and handed prison sentences, a spokesman for the Iranian judiciary said on Tuesday.

Gholamhossein Esmaili said one of those sentenced had been "spying for [the Israeli spy agency] Mossad and Germany."

The second man had been working for British intelligence, he told state television.

Read more: Iran partners with China, as the West steps back

Series of convictions

The reported convictions come as relations between Iran and the West continue to deteriorate, partly as a result of the US decision to pull out of a landmark 2015 deal that envisaged lifting sanctions on the country in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran has expressed disappointment that the European Union and its member states, including Germany, have failed to maintain their support for Tehran after the US pullout.

Last month, the country said it had executed a former employee of its Defense Ministry who was convicted of spying on behalf of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Another former Defense Ministry staffer was reportedly hanged in June after making a confession in court.

Read more: US Ambassador Kelley Currie: 'Iranian regime is the greatest enemy of its people'

tj/dr (Reuters, AFP)