Dublin mosque arson accused tells court he fled Iran to escape hanging

A man charged with setting fire to a mosque in Dublin has testified in court that he fled Iran a decade ago to avoid being executed for rejecting Islam. Saeid Khosroabadi, 41, of Seville Place, Dublin 1, was arrested after a blaze erupted at the Faizan E Madinah Mosque on Talbot Street on June 29. The incident occurred just before 3:30 p.m., and emergency services, including over 20 firefighters and police officers, responded swiftly. The premises were evacuated safely with no reported injuries. According to the charges, Khosroabadi, an Iranian national who identifies as an anti-Islam activist, told police he opposed sharia law in Ireland and showed no concern for the safety of children during the fire. He faces two counts of arson and criminal damage. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years. Bail was denied on July 1, and he was remanded in custody. His next appearance is scheduled for August 12 at Cloverhill District Court. During a recent court session, Khosroabadi, appearing via video link, addressed the judge. He stated he came from an Islamic country and had endured torture because “all my life, I said no.” He explained that he rejected Islam and faced threats of hanging under Iran's strict religious laws. He claimed he escaped in 2016 from prison to begin a new life in Ireland. The judge warned him against self-incrimination, given his lack of legal representation. Khosroabadi also mentioned his difficulty in contacting his family back home, who remain unaware of his current detention. Police have kept his phone as part of the evidence. Garda Shane Costello informed the court that attempts to retrieve his family's contact information have so far failed, though further efforts are planned. The case has been referred to the Circuit Court, which handles more serious offenses and offers broader sentencing options. Prosecutors are required to serve Khosroabadi with a book of evidence before a formal trial can proceed. Legal aid services for District Court cases have been disrupted due to ongoing industrial action, leaving the defendant without representation. At a previous bail hearing, Khosroabadi reportedly expressed disappointment that the mosque had not fully burned down. He was alleged to have told police he hated Islam and referred to its adherents as “dirty people.” During the investigation, Garda Costello described how witnesses saw a man pour an accelerant onto the front door of the mosque and ignite it. The individual was identified as Khosroabadi, who claimed he was intoxicated at the time. Witnesses reported that the suspect shouted, “I will finish this mosque; I will fire this mosque. I don’t like them to be here.” Several individuals, including children, were inside the mosque when the fire started. After inquiries, police located Khosroabadi at his residence and he allegedly admitted, “I hate Islam. I burned the mosque, and when you release me, I will burn it again.” The incident has sparked discussions about security measures around religious sites and the potential risks posed by individuals with extremist views. As the legal process continues, the focus remains on ensuring justice while safeguarding public safety.