Jamshid Sharmahd was executed in Iran. Photo: Christophe Gatot / DPA
Iranian authorities on Monday executed Iranian-German dissident Jamshid Sharmad, who had been in prison since 2020, despite sharp criticism from the international community. According to the judicial portal Mizan Online, citing The Guardian and AFP, the execution took place after the final approval of the death sentence by the Iranian Supreme Court.
Jamshid Sharmah, a 60-year-old German of Iranian descent who also holds US citizenship, was charged in 2023 with “corruption on the ground” for his alleged involvement in a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 people. Iranian authorities accused him of leading the pro-monarchist group Tondar, which Iran considers a “terrorist organisation”. Mizan Online described Sharmah as a “criminal terrorist” who was protected by US and European intelligence agencies.
“Scandal”: Germany’s tough reaction
The execution of Jamshid Sharmah has caused a wave of outrage in Germany, where the authorities have expressed strong condemnation. In his post on the X platform (formerly Twitter), Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the execution a “scandal” and stressed that Sharmah “was not even given a chance to defend himself against the charges”. In a statement, German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock condemned Iran’s “inhuman regime” and warned that the execution of a German citizen “will have serious consequences”.
Opposition leaders also called for decisive action. The leader of the Christian Democrats of Germany (CDU), Friedrich Merz, called the execution a “heinous crime” and said that the policy of “quiet diplomacy” had failed. He stressed that “in the context of the state murder of a German citizen”, relations with Iran should be reviewed. “The Iranian ambassador must be expelled,” Merz said categorically.
Human rights issues against the backdrop of deteriorating relations with Iran
In 2020, Iranian intelligence announced the arrest of Sharmah, accusing him of involvement in a series of terrorist attacks and sabotage actions in Iran. Tehran does not recognise dual citizenship, which made it impossible for Germany and the United States to provide diplomatic protection to Sharmah.
The case was another high-profile event in Iran’s relations with the West, which accuses Tehran of repressing political opponents and abusing the justice system.
