Iran executes Aqil Keshavarz, student detained during Iran–Israel war, on 'espionage' charges
Hengaw — Saturday, December 20, 2025
The Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out the execution of Aqil Keshavarz, a 27-year-old architecture student from Isfahan, who was arrested during the 12-day Iran–Israel war and sentenced to death on charges of “espionage for Israel.”
According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Keshavarz was executed in the early hours of Saturday, December 20, 2025, inside Urmia Central Prison.
Hengaw had earlier warned about the risk of execution. Keshavarz was transferred to solitary confinement, and his family was summoned to Urmia Prison for a final visit on Wednesday, December 17 — developments widely regarded as indicators of an impending execution.
The judiciary-affiliated outlet Mizan News Agency claimed that the charges against Keshavarz involved alleged communication and cooperation with Israel’s intelligence services, including “espionage for Israel,” “spying for Mossad,” and “photographing military and security facilities.” The report further alleged that he communicated with an individual using the username “Osher,” to whom he regularly transmitted information, and that he maintained separate contacts with both the Israeli military and Mossad.
According to the same report, the accusations included “photographing military and security sites,” “transmitting information via online platforms,” “carrying out more than 200 intelligence missions in several Iranian cities,” and “receiving financial support through cryptocurrency.”
Mizan also claimed that the execution was carried out “after the completion of all stages of criminal procedure.” This assertion comes amid escalating regional tensions, with officials in both Iran and Israel warning of the possibility of renewed confrontation. In this context, Hengaw assesses the execution as part of a broader policy of intimidation aimed at the public.
Keshavarz was sentenced to death in late summer by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court in Urmia, presided over by Judge Sajad Dousti.
He was arrested in June 2025 and held in a detention facility run by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Urmia, where, according to Hengaw’s information, he was subjected to severe pressure and torture to extract “forced confessions.” He was later transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran before ultimately being moved back to Urmia Central Prison.
Hengaw has previously warned that whenever tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel intensify, Iranian authorities deliberately accelerate executions of detainees accused of “espionage for Israel,” effectively using them as hostages amid political and military crises.
According to statistics recorded by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, with the execution of Aqil Keshavarz, at least 18 individuals have been executed in Iran since the beginning of 2025 on charges related to alleged cooperation with Israel. Sixteen of these executions have taken place since the outbreak of the Iran–Israel war.
