Rishi Sunak calls Iran's 'barbaric' execution of 'insensitive and cowardly' British national

The execution of dual British-Iranian Alireza Akbari on trumped-up corruption and espionage charges came after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called on the Iranian regime not to prosecute< /p> Alireza Akbari, a British and Iranian national, was executed by the Islamic Republic” (

Image: Khabar Online/AFP via Getty Imag)

The execution of a British-Iranian national by Iran's "barbaric regime" was a "ruthless and cowardly act", said Rishi Sunak.

Early this morning, the death of Alireza Akbari was confirmed by the Iranian Student News Agency.

But a statement from the Iranian Student News Agency less than a day later read: "The sentencing of Alireza Akbari, Ali's son with dual Iranian-British citizenship, who was sentenced to death for corruption in the country and widespread action against the internal and external security of the country through espionage for the intelligence apparatus of the British government, was carried out."

The British government appealed to the Iranian authorities on Friday, asking them not to proceed with the hanging.

UK government says execution will not be 'uncontested' (

Picture:

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Today Prime Minister Sunak called the execution a "ruthless and cowardly act perpetrated by a barbaric regime".

Writing on Twitter, Mr Sunak said: "I am appalled at the execution of British-Iranian citizen Alireza Akbari in Iran.

"It was a ruthless and cowardly act, committed by a...