Iran has sentenced writer Mehdi Bahman to death after he granted an interview to Channel 13, an Israeli medium, earlier in 2022.
Mr Bahman was sentenced to death after the Iran Revolutionary Court found him guilty of espionage, having criticised the Islamic regime in Tehran and the brutal imposition of Islamic law.
He also called for the normalisation of the relationship between Israel and Iran.
Although there were no confirmations from state officials or media, several opposition-affiliated media reported the arrest and the subsequent sentencing.
According to Iran International, Mr Bahman was an author and talented illustrator who promoted religious harmony and tolerance.
Most recently, he collaborated with the dissident Shia cleric Masoumi Tehrani to create works of art that included symbols from different religions and gave them to leaders of Iran’s minority Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian, Sunni Islam, Mandaean Sabian, and Baha’i faiths.
