What's happened
Germany has condemned the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dual national, by Iran. The German government has recalled its ambassador and closed multiple consulates in response to the execution, which has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from both German officials and human rights organizations.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated, 'The execution of Jamshid Sharmahd by the Iranian regime is a scandal that I condemn in the strongest possible terms.' The Guardian highlighted the disappointment expressed by Sharmahd's daughter, Gazelle, regarding the lack of support from the German and U.S. governments. The Independent reported that Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's charge d'affaires to express their sharp protest against the execution, indicating a serious diplomatic rift. The overall sentiment across sources reflects outrage and calls for accountability from the German government and human rights advocates.
How we got here
Jamshid Sharmahd was executed on October 28, 2024, after being accused of terrorism by Iran. His trial was widely criticized as a sham, and Germany had been actively seeking his release since his abduction in 2020. The execution has escalated tensions between Germany and Iran.
Common question
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What Happened with Jamshid Sharmahd's Execution in Iran?
The execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a dual German-Iranian citizen, has sparked significant international outrage and raised questions about Iran's treatment of dissidents. This event has not only highlighted the tensions between Iran and Germany but also the broader implications for human rights in the region. Below, we explore the circumstances surrounding Sharmahd's execution and the global reactions it has provoked.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Jamshid Sharmahd is an Iranian-German journalist. Since 2003 he has lived in the United States, where he is a legal resident. In late July 2020, the Iranian government abducted Sharmahd from Dubai and brought him to Iran.
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Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south.
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Annalena Charlotte Alma Baerbock is a German politician serving as co-leader of Alliance 90/The Greens since 2018 alongside Robert Habeck. She is the party's lead candidate for the 2021 German federal election. Since the 2013 federal election, she has als
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Olaf Scholz is a German politician serving as Federal Minister of Finance and Vice Chancellor under Chancellor Angela Merkel since 14 March 2018.