Amir Mirza Hekmati faces death penalty "for cooperating with the hostile country (US) and spying for the CIA."
By REUTERSIranian accused of spying, Amir Mirza Hekmati 311(photo credit: Iranian state TV)
TEHRAN - Iran's judiciary said on Monday a death sentence had been passed for an Iranian-US citizen on charges of spying for the United States, the students news agency ISNA reported."A death sentence has been issued for Amir Mirza Hekmati for cooperating with the hostile government of America and spying for the CIA," ISNA quoted spokesman for the judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as saying.RELATED:'American awaits verdict after Iran spy trial'Iran presses pastor: Islam or deathThe spokesman confirmed earlier reports by the semi-official Fars news agency that a death sentence had been issued. "The court found him (Hekmati) Corrupt on Earth and Mohareb (waging war on God)," Fars said.Hekmati, a 28-year-old of Iranian descent, was arrested in December and Iran's Intelligence Ministry accused him of receiving training at US bases in neighboring Afghanistan and Iraq.Iran's judiciary said Hekmati admitted to having links with the CIA but said he had no intention of harming Iran.
