The Execution of Alireza Akbari

Question

The execution of Alireza Akbari is a barbaric act, a gross attempt to silence protest movements. The regime's actions are state-sanctioned killings designed to strike fear into the hearts of ordinary Iranian people. Mr Akbari returned from the UK to advise on the nuclear deal but was executed instead. When will the Government proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and take action to protect British Iranians threatened by the regime?

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The thoughts of the entire Committee are with Mr Akbari’s family. From hostage taking to terrorist plots, assassinations, nuclear extortion and destabilisation of the middle east and Europe, Iran is a terrorist state and it has weaponised human life. This is the first murder of a dual national since the 1980s. It is a clear escalation. I make four asks. First, the House is clear that we need to proscribe the IRGC. Can the Foreign Secretary confirm that he recognises that that is a policy decision, not a legal one? Secondly, we need to close down the IRGC’s operating centres within the UK, such as the one in Maida Vale. These are centres for spreading hostile influence within the UK. Can the Secretary of State also confirm that he will consider reactive sanctions to help the ordinary Iranians for whom no one else will stand up? After every state murder, we should impose sanctions to show we will give their voice some support. Finally, can he reassure me that he is confident of the safety of our staff in Tehran?

Question

The SNP utterly condemns the execution of Alireza Akbari in the strongest possible terms, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Once again, this execution highlights the serious injustice and failings of the Iranian judicial system. The Foreign Secretary’s decision to sanction Iran’s prosecutor is welcome, but as we have been calling for many times, I urge the Foreign Secretary again to go further and to take forward the formal proscription of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. What are the Government doing to make it a reality? Does the Secretary of State know just how many dual UK-Iranian nationals are detained in Iran?

Question

It is a terrible day when we see the execution of a British subject. Some broadcast media have said that the decision by the Iranian regime to execute this individual came as a response to the repeated calls for proscription of the IRGC in a debate last week. Contrary to that, broadcast media not only showed an interview with his family, but also broadcast his comments about his torture by this vile regime. Does that show the Secretary of State, as it does me, the power of the media broadcast? Will he ensure that the funding of BBC Persian radio will continue to ensure that the people of Iran can hear the truth and one day oversee the downfall of this vile regime?

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Mr Akbari was my constituent and I offer my sympathies to his family here and abroad. His daughter asked me to raise a further distressing matter with the Foreign Secretary. The regime refuses to release Mr Akbari’s body or to allow burial in the place chosen by him, and has made threats to destroy his body unless the family co-operate with its instructions. Will the Foreign Secretary meet me and the family in the UK and do what the Government can to ensure that in death, if not in life, Mr Akbari is treated with dignity and respect?

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My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke eloquently about the brutal hostility that the regime in Tehran is visiting not only on its own citizens, but Ukraine through its support for Russia, on neighbouring countries in the middle east, and, of course, on a UK passport holder through his execution. Does that not now mean that we should proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and review the UK’s involvement in the Iran nuclear agreement?

Question

Mr Akbari’s judicial murder is particularly poignant for us because he was a dual national, but all the murders committed by the Iranian Government over the last few days and weeks prove that they give a new meaning to the term 'criminal justice system'—more criminal than justice. I worry, however, that the Secretary of State is always reluctant to talk about further sanctions. Government Ministers invented the rule that they are not allowed to talk about them at the Dispatch Box because it is a bit inconvenient for them, but is it not time that we had a proper parliamentary process for determining some sanctions?

Question

The execution of Alireza Akbari was a hideous act. It is clear that the Iranian regime will stop at nothing in its desire to repress its people, whether that is through the arrest, torture or indeed murder of innocent citizens, many of whom are women. Many colleagues across the House have called for the IRGC to be proscribed, and I would like to add my name to that list. I would also urge the Foreign Secretary to continue working with our allies to try to get a global consensus on the issue.

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The execution of Alireza Akbari is horrendous. While the Foreign Secretary is considering proscription and sanctions, what consideration have the Government given to auditing assets of those sanctioned, particularly family members resident in the UK?

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I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement, express sympathy to Mr Akbari’s family, remind that Iran carries out second highest number of executions worldwide and recommend reading Hansard report from last Thursday's debate.

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Send condolences to Mr Akbari’s family, question the use of death penalty and practices of torture, solitary confinement. Calls for UK Government to work with international bodies to investigate allegations of crimes under international law.

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Southampton has a significant Anglo-Iranian community who want proscription of the IRGC and more from Government to ensure their safety.

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Thank Foreign Secretary for statement, but regime does such things because it can. Questions view on joint comprehensive plan of action process.

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My hon. Friend highlights threats against journalists working for Iran International whose HQ is under permanent armed police guard.

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Heart goes out to family and friends of Mr Akbari, calls for proscription of IRGC.

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Will discuss execution of Mr Akbari on visit to Washington this week and seek to co-ordinate strongest response.

Question

Vile Iranian regime operating through proxies in UK, concern raised about Maida Vale Islamic community centre where counter-protests occur.

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary believe that it is helpful for Members of Parliament to adopt individual people on death row in Iran to publicise their cases and put maximum pressure on the regime?

Question

Why is the Secretary of State delaying proscribing the regime in Iran and will he lead a discussion in the UN to end state-authorised death across the world?

Question

Does the Foreign Secretary have concerns that ending talks on the nuclear deal could see Iran speed up uranium enrichment or pull out of the treaty altogether?