Report: Iran's Revolutionary Court sentences Iranian to death for spying for Israel

The Iranian Revolutionary Court sentenced an Iranian man to death on charges of spying for Israel, the country's state television said Monday

The report identified the convicted Iranian as Ali Ashtari, a 45-year-old tradesman in electronic merchandise who supplied military, security and defense centers across the country with electronic devices.

The TV's Web site quoted an unnamed intelligence official as saying Ashtari "relayed sensitive information on military, defense and research centers" to Israel's Mossad intelligence officers.

Iranian state media — considered mouthpieces for the government — customarily cite officials without identifying them by name.

According to the report, the official also said that Ashtari, who was arrested in 2007, tried to "create a link" between Iranian experts and Israeli agents. Under Iranian law, Ashtari has 20 days to appeal the verdict, which was handed down Sunday.

The material Ashtari was charged with passing on to Israelis also included information on Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, the state TV said.

In a terse comment to the Associated Press, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said that Israel has "no knowledge whatsoever of this case."

The Revolutionary Court is a special, high-profile Iranian court that handles cases dealing with state security and perceived threats to the country.

Iran and Israel have long been archenemies and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel's destruction in the past. iht