An Iranian-German prisoner that previously lived in the U.S. was executed in Iran this week.
On Monday, Iran executed Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German dual citizen kidnapped by Iranian security forces in Dubai in 2020, according to a statement from the country’s judiciary on Monday.
Sharmahd had been convicted on terrorism charges that his family has repeatedly contested.
Mizan, the Iranian judiciary’s news agency, reported that Sharmahd was executed on Monday morning.
Jamshid Sharmahd Allegations
Iran accused Sharmahd, a resident of Glendora, California, of orchestrating a 2008 mosque bombing that killed 14 people and injured more than 200. Authorities also claimed he planned additional attacks through the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, a fringe opposition group, and its militant wing, Tondar.
Iran further alleged that Sharmahd revealed “classified information” about Revolutionary Guard missile sites during a televised broadcast in 2017.
Announcing his execution, the Iranian judiciary said, “Without a doubt, the divine promise regarding the supporters of terrorism will be fulfilled, and this is a definite promise.”
A demonstrator holds a picture of Iranian-German Jamshid Sharmahd with the lettering “Save Sharmahd” and “German politics has to act” during a demonstration for his release in front of the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin on July 31, 2023. On Monday, Sharmahd was executed in Iran.
INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images
Sharmahd Kidnapping
In 2020, Sharmahd was in Dubai attempting to travel to India for a business deal related to his software company. He was seeking a connecting flight despite widespread travel disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sharmahd’s family last heard from him on July 28, 2020, though the details of his abduction remain unclear. Tracking data indicated that his phone moved south from Dubai to Al Ain on July 29, crossing into Oman and spending the night near an Islamic school in the border town of Al-Buraimi.
On July 30, tracking data placed Sharmahd’s phone in the Omani port city of Sohar, where the signal abruptly went dark. Two days later, Iran announced it had captured Sharmahd in what it described as a “complex operation.” The Intelligence Ministry released a photograph showing him blindfolded.
Responses to Sharmahd’s Death
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, journalist Yashar Ali wrote, “The Islamic Republic of Iran says it has executed Jamshid Sharmahd, a German citizen and US resident. Sharmahd’s daughter, @GazelleSharmahd, has been advocating for his release since he was kidnapped in Dubai and rendered back to Iran.”
“Sharmahd was 68 and targeted by the regime for his work opposing it,” the post added.
In another post, Ali said, “That they chose to execute him two days after Israel demolished some of its military installations in retaliation for the missile attack only leads me to wonder if they see this as part of their response to Israel, Germany, and the USA.”
Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran said on X: “Some deeply upsetting news: #Iran regime media is reporting that Jamshid Sharmahd, a German citizen who has lived in the U.S. for years, has been executed by the Islamic Republic. This sets a chilling precedent that the Islamic Republic can kidnap a Western national and then murder them. Shades of Tehran’s execution of Habib Chaab. There better be a decisive response from Berlin and Washington here.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
