Iran sentences man to death for spying for Israel

TEHRAN-An Iranian court on Monday sentenced to death an Iranian businessman on charges of being an Israeli spy who targeted the Islamic Republic's disputed nuclear program and its military, media said.The Tehran court handed down its sentence at a time of high tension with Israel and speculation of a possible Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear installations. Iranian media identified Ali Ashtari(picture left) as the manager of a company selling communications and security equipment to Iran's government and said he had been accused of "engaging in espionage for (Israel's) Mossad intelligence service."The 43-year-old Ashtari had confessed and asked for clemency after a two-day trial, the semi-official Fars News Agency said.Ashtari, who had been in financial trouble, said he had accepted a loan of $50,000 from Israeli agents, Fars said.His name indicated he was a Shi'ite Muslim but Iranian media did not specify his religion.In Jerusalem, an Israeli government official said: "We have no knowledge whatsoever regarding this case. "Tension between the Islamic Republic and Israel has risen sharply since a U.S. newspaper report this month said the Jewish state had rehearsed a possible strike against Iran aimed at thwarting its disputed nuclear ambitions.
To read more go to:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSDAH02094420080630
As in the days of Noah....