Mehdi Farid Executed on Charges of Espionage Under the Title of Passive Defense Official Confirmation from the Judiciary Denial from the Passive Defense Organization
On the morning of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, state media reported the execution of "Mehdi Farid," described as an official of Passive Defense in one of the sensitive organizations of the country, who was executed on charges of "espionage for Israel." Simultaneously, the Passive Defense Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement calling any "membership, responsibility, or position of Mehdi Farid" within the structure of this organization incorrect and denied it.
According to the claim of Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the Judiciary, "Mehdi Farid," son of Aman-Allah, the "head of the management section of the Passive Defense Committee of one of the sensitive organizations of the country," was executed on the morning of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, on charges of "espionage and cooperation with Mossad," after the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. This media outlet wrote that he established contact through cyberspace and, given the access he possessed, was quickly approved by a Mossad officer and spoke of his connection with Mossad during the proceedings of the case.
Following the publication of this news in Mizan, the Passive Defense Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement, reported by media outlets including "Asr-e Iran," denying any "membership, responsibility, or position of Mehdi Farid" within the structure of this organization and labeled it as incorrect.
On November 11, 2025, Hrana News Agency reported the transfer of "Mehdi Farid" from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj and wrote regarding his case and death sentence; Mehdi Farid was born in Arak and is approximately 54 years old. He was arrested in the winter of 2023 and was initially transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison and subsequently to Evin Prison. This security prisoner was an employee of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and was sentenced to death on charges of cooperation with Israel.
Regarding the manner of the death sentence issuance against him, Hrana noted: The court of first instance had initially sentenced him to 10 years of imprisonment and restitution of property, but this sentence was changed to death following an objection by the prosecutor and he was sentenced to death by the Tehran Provincial Court of Appeal on charges of cooperation with Israel. He objected to the issued verdict in October 2025, and his case was in the judicial appeal stage.
Furthermore, Hrana quoted a source close to his family stating that Mr. Farid rejected any intentional cooperation and emphasized that he had placed the matter at the disposal of the relevant authorities for legal investigation.
Although some journalists point to his execution in Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, state and official media have so far made no reference to the location of the execution. Additionally, it is unclear whether he had access to a lawyer during the judicial proceedings, and whether his execution was carried out secretly without the knowledge of his lawyer and family, and whether his body has been delivered to the family or not.
