The Swedish-Iranian scientist facing imminent execution by the Iran regime for allegedly spying for Israel has been granted a reprieve, according to his attorney.
Ahmadreza Djalali was not moved from Tehran’s Evin Prison to Rajai Shahr, according to his lawyer, as was previously reported and which usually signals execution.
At this point, it is not clear if the reprieve is just the result of international outcry and pressure or if his death penalty will be reevaluated.
Reports circulated that the regime would execute Djalali Wednesday following a conviction of espionage for Israel, which the government alleges is connected to the recent assassinations of several top nuclear scientists.
Djalali was arrested in Iran in 2016 on accusations of providing Israel with intelligence needed to assassinate Iranian nuclear scientists.
His friends believe he was forced to confess, according to a report by The Guardian.
Forced confessions are common practice for Iran’s government to bolster their cases against those in custody.
“I am not a political person, but all I can ask is that countries that have influence, maybe Austria and the U.S., will ask Iran to open his door and cancel his sentence. I hope the media will help me,” his wife, Vida Mehrannia said to The Guardian.
As a dual Swedish and Iranian citizen, Djalali’s execution would mark one of the first of its kind in Iran.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims Iran is arresting dual citizens as political leverage and is not providing dual citizens with due process.
HRW has been monitoring this practice since 2014.
