TEHRAN: The trial of a Swedish EU diplomat wrapped up in Tehran on Sunday, with Iranian prosecutors seeking the maximum penalty for the man accused of spying for Iran´s arch-foe, Israel.
The prosecutor said that 33-year-old Johan Floderus -- who works for the European Union diplomatic service -- was charged with “very extensive intelligence cooperation with the Zionist occupation regime”, meaning Israel, according to the judiciary´s Mizan Online website.
“Given the important nature and adverse effects of the accused´s actions, I demand the maximum penalty,” Mizan reported the prosecutor as saying.
Floderus was charged with “corruption on earth”, which is one of Iran´s most serious offences and carries a maximum penalty of death.
The Swedish national was arrested on April 17, 2022, at Tehran airport on his return to Iran from a trip with friends and has been on trial since December 2023.
No date has yet been set for the verdict.
Mizan published photos of Floderus in a prisoner´s uniform accompanied by his two lawyers in a near-empty Tehran courtroom. It said the court sessions have ended, but his lawyers have a week to submit their defence.