A court in Iran handed billionaire businessman Babak Zanjani a death sentence Sunday for "spreading corruption on Earth" — Iran’s most serious offense. The sentence concludes a nearly five-month-long public trial.
The billionaire was arrested in 2013 amid accusations that he helped Iran avoid oil sanctions under the rule of the former president and withheld billions in oil revenue. Zanjani denies any wrongdoing.
Zanjani is widely known as one of the richest people in Iran. According to the BBC, he's worth about $13.5 billion.
Zanjani will have to repay the embezzled funds along with two of his associates, who were also given the death penalty. The sentences can be appealed in court.
This video includes clips from PressTV.
