An Iranian court on Monday sentenced an Iranian Moslem man to death for allegedly spying for Israel. The Iranian FARS news agency reported that Ali Ashtari was accused of "jeopardizing Iranian security" and of receiving payment from the Mossad. Ashtari was sentenced to death.


The 45-year-old is a tradesman in electronic merchandise who supplied military, security and defense centers across the country with electronic devices. The Iranian television report claimed Ashtari "relayed sensitive information on military, defense and research centers" to Mossad intelligence officers. The material reportedly included information on Iran's Atomic Energy Organization. The official also said Ashtari, who was arrested in 2007, tried to "create a link" between Iranian experts and Israeli agents. The Fars news agency quoted Ashtari saying he had accepted a loan of 50,000 Euros from Israeli agents as he had been in financial straits.