EU Urges Iran To Revoke Death Sentence For German-Iranian Citizen

The European Union has condemned the Iranian judiciary's decision to confirm German-Iranian citizen Jamshid Sharmahd's death sentence.

In a statement on Friday, the EU urged the Islamic Republic to refrain from carrying out Sharmahd's death sentence, repeal it and ensure he receives the basic rights to which he is entitled under international law without delay.

“The death penalty violates the inalienable right to life enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment,” reads the statement.

Earlier this week, Iran’s judiciary approved the death sentence of Sharmahd, for alleged involvement in terrorism.

Masoud Setayeshi, the spokesman of the judiciary, announced the news of the high-profile case in a press conference on Wednesday.

The news of Sharmahd’s kidnapping in Dubai and transfer to Tehran by regime agents was first released in August 2020. He was accused of heading a pro-monarchist group, Kingdom Assembly of Iran, behind a deadly 2008 bombing and planning other alleged attacks across the country.

Based in Los Angeles, the little-known group seeks to restore the Iranian monarchy that was overthrown by the 1979 Islamic revolution. It also runs pro-Iranian opposition radio and television stations abroad.

Since his arrest, human rights organizations have warned of 67-year-old Sharmahd’s deteriorating health. Sharmahd, who also holds US residency, has been held in solitary confinement and was denied an independent attorney and fair legal procedures. In February, Iran's judiciary sentenced him to death.