VIENNA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- An Austrian-Iranian national is facing the death penalty in Iran over allegations he was engaged in spying activities, according to local media reports.
Massud Mossaheb, 72, first came to Austria from his native Iran in 1965 and was later granted citizenship in 1980, becoming a dual national. He studied mechanical engineering in Vienna, and later became secretary general of the Austrian-Iranian society.
It was in the latter capacity that he led a delegation to Tehran in January, in support of an Austrian ion therapy company that is establishing a subsidiary near the Iranian capital, according to a Der Standard newspaper report.
Mossaheb was subsequently arrested and has since been held in custody charged with espionage, and has been told on a number of occasions that he is to be hanged, according to the report.
He reportedly also suffers from a number of health issues, such as diabetes and heart failure.
The Austrian foreign ministry has been pursuing the matter. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg confirmed that he has made efforts to contact his Iranian counterpart over the matter.
The issue has been further complicated, however, due to Iran considering Mossaheb as being solely an Iranian national.
