Iranian nuclear scientist executed for giving 'vital information to the enemy'

Iran has confirmed the execution of nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri who was charged with espionage.

Judicial spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told a news conference on Sunday that a primary court had found the scientist guilty of espionage.

Mohseni indicated that: “Through his connection with the United States, Amiri gave vital information about the country to the enemy”.

The lower court’s thus handed Amiri a death sentence for his crime, a verdict Mohseni told the press, was upheld by the country’s supreme court.

Amiri, a university researcher, worked for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. He disappeared in 2009 during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and later surfaced in the United States.

Having appeared in the United States, the Iranian nuclear scientist said he had been kidnapped and put under “intense psychological pressure to reveal sensitive information”.

US officials at the time however denied his claim of kidnapping saying Amiri had defected and also provided “useful information” to the US.

Amiri however returned to a hero’s welcome to Iran in July 2010 and was later arrested. He was tried and convicted of spying for Washington.

The judicial spokesperson’s confirmation comes a day after Amiri’s mother said this body had been handed over with rope marks around his neck.