Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what processes his Department has in place to hold foreign governments accountable for extra-judicial assassinations and abductions of political figures in sovereign territory.

The UK is clear that any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, abduct or harm individuals is unacceptable. The Government condemns extra-judicial assassinations and abductions and works with partners to uphold international law.

The National Security Act 2023 and the National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 have strengthened the Government's powers, including to disrupt organisations acting for foreign powers.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) uses diplomatic tools to raise the costs of such activity and make clear that states conducting transnational repression cannot act with impunity. Where appropriate, the Government coordinates international responses with partners and has used sanctions against hostile state activity.

Most recently, the Government sanctioned Ruholla Bazghandi under the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 for involvement in hostile activity by the Government of Iran, namely threatening, planning or conducting attacks against persons and assets in the UK.