Fifth hearing of Habib Asyoud's trial; charges leading to execution
The fifth trial session of Habib Farajollah Chaab, known as Habib Asyoud, the former leader of the "Harakat al-Nidal" group, was held on Sunday, March 26, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.
Habib Asyoud's trial began on January 19, and he is accused of charges that, under Iranian law, could lead to the issuance and execution of a death sentence.
In this session, the continuation of Habib Asyoud's indictment was read, and the prosecutor's representative once again raised charges against him of "corruption on earth" and "planning and carrying out terrorist operations" in Khuzestan, including "organizing a deadly attack on the armed forces parade in Ahvaz."
Recruiting, organizing, and training "separatist" individuals to join the "Harakat al-Nidal" group, forming and promoting a "Takfiri sect" in Khuzestan, and collaborating with the "PJAK" and "Jaish al-Adl" groups are other charges brought against Habib Asyoud in the fifth court session.
Amin Waziri, the prosecutor's representative, claimed in this court session that Habib Asyoud had confessed to having connections with the Saudi intelligence service with the aim of "disintegrating Iran."
In previous court hearings, the prosecutor's representative had accused Habib Asyoud of "connections with the CIA and Mossad."
Amin Waziri said that the defendant accepted all the charges and confessed to them.
The prosecutor's representative emphasizes Habib Asyoud's confessions, even though a number of political prisoners have previously said that their confessions were obtained under pressure and mental and physical torture.
Habib Asyoud, 48, a Swedish citizen, was kidnapped by Islamic Republic security agents during his trip to Türkiye in October 2020 and transferred to Iran.
In recent years, Iranian security agencies have kidnapped a number of political activists and opponents of the Islamic Republic from neighboring countries and transferred them to Iran, including the kidnapping and detention of Ruhollah Zam and Jamshid Sharmehed.
Source: Voice of America
