Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 30 September 2026: Ayoub Mohammad Nabil, an Iraqi national held in Rasht Central Prison, has been sentenced to death on charges of espionage for Saudi Arabia.
According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, Ayoub Mohammad Nabil, a 28-year-old Iraqi national from Haditha, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) through espionage for Saudi-backed proxy groups. He is held in Rasht (Lakan) Central Prison.
Ayoub was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Fuman County on 26 August 2025. Prior to his arrest, he was working as a caretaker for a private villa, having entered Iran legally on a passport and living without any security-related issues.
An informed source told IHRNGO: “Following his arrest, Ayoub was detained for approximately five months at the Intelligence Detention Centre in Rasht, where he was subjected to severe psychological torture. He has denied all allegations of ties to or cooperation with Saudi Arabia or affiliated groups, stating that these heavy charges were fabricated solely because he is a devout Sunni Muslim who wore a beard and taught Quran lessons to local children and teenagers inside his guard room.”
“He was convicted despite the complete absence of evidence linking him to political activities or Sunni Wahhabi groups,” the source added.
At least fifteen people have been executed for espionage charges in 2026. Thirteen were accused of espionage for Israel and the United States, and two Iraqi nationals were accused of espionage for an unknown Arab country.