prisoner swap Iran Sweden freeing man convicted war crimes executions 1988.
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In a surprising turn of events, Iran and Sweden have conducted a prisoner swap that has garnered international attention. The swap involved the release of Hamid Nouri, a man convicted of war crimes by Sweden for his involvement in the 1988 mass executions in Iran. In exchange, Iran released Johan Floderus, a Swedish national working for the EU’s diplomatic corps, and another man identified as Saeed Azizi.
Details of the Swap
The prisoner swap was facilitated by Oman, according to reports from the state-run Oman News Agency. Iranian state television confirmed that Hamid Nouri had been freed and was on his way back to Tehran. On the other side, Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi were on a plane heading back to Sweden, where they would soon be reunited with their families.
The 1988 Mass Executions
The 1988 mass executions in Iran were a dark chapter in the country’s history, coming at the end of the long war with Iraq. Following a UN-brokered cease-fire, members of the Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq launched a surprise attack on Iran. This led to the formation of “death commissions” that carried out sham retrials of political prisoners, militants, and others, resulting in the execution of thousands of people.
International Reaction
International rights groups have long condemned the 1988 mass executions in Iran, with estimates suggesting that as many as 5,000 people were killed. Despite calls for accountability, Iran has never fully acknowledged the executions, attributing them to orders from then-Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini. The involvement of top officials, including the late President Ebrahim Raisi, in the executions has raised further concerns.
Foreigners as Pawns
Johan Floderus’ arrest in Iran in April 2022 highlighted the country’s practice of using foreigners or individuals with dual nationalities as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. Similarly, Saeed Azizi, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Human rights groups have raised concerns about Azizi’s health, as he reportedly has cancer.
This prisoner swap between Iran and Sweden has brought to light the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region. As both countries navigate their diplomatic relations, the fate of individuals caught in the midst of international tensions remains uncertain.
Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, and Jari Tanner in Helsinki, Finland, contributed to this report.
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prisoner swap Iran Sweden freeing man convicted war crimes executions MyStateline.
