Sweden – Nyheterna, July 04, 2025
A serious conflict has reportedly emerged between Iran’s intelligence services and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) over the fate of imprisoned Swedish-Iranian doctor and researcher Ahmadreza Djalali. According to his wife, Vida Mehrannia, the dispute centers around whether or not to carry out his death sentence.
“This is a grave danger to his life,” she told TV4 Nyheterna.
Since the ceasefire between Israel and Iran came into effect a week ago, Iran has escalated its crackdown on alleged spies and collaborators. Several individuals have already been executed, raising deep concern in Sweden for Djalali’s safety.
“It’s horrifying. I’m extremely worried about his condition,” said Mehrannia.
Ahmadreza Djalali has been imprisoned in Iran since 2016, accused of links to Israel. In 2017, he was sentenced to death on those charges.
According to Mehrannia, she recently received information suggesting a rift between the IRGC — known for its hardline stance — and the Iranian intelligence services over Djalali’s execution.
“My understanding is that the Revolutionary Guard wants to execute him, while the intelligence service does not,” she said, noting that the information remains unconfirmed by official sources.
She received the information on Saturday, and it was echoed on Thursday in posts on social media by former cellmates of Djalali who have since been released.
Moved to Secret Location
The reports about the internal conflict over Ahmadreza Djalali’s death sentence were initially shared by Iranian lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who posted about the matter on social media.
TV4 Nyheterna has spoken with several experts. While none could officially confirm the information, many believe there are signs suggesting it may be credible.
Djalali had been held in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison — known for housing so-called “enemies of the state” and political dissidents — but has now been transferred to an undisclosed location.
“What’s especially concerning is that he’s been moved to a secret place, and his family still doesn’t know where he is. We know that when the authorities want to carry out an execution, they often place the person in isolation,” said Maja Åberg, Iran expert at Amnesty International and well-informed on Djalali’s case.
Åberg also noted that senior Iranian officials, including the country’s judiciary chief, have publicly stated that they intend to “make quick work” of those convicted of ties with Israel and expedite their executions.
