ASMLA is an Arab nationalist group that wants to see an independent state in the province of Khuzestan.
It is labeled a terrorist by Iran and several of the leaders have been convicted in Denmark of promoting terrorism and spying for Saudi Arabia.
According to Arvin Khoshnood, Chaab's connection to ASMLA is clear.
- He has helped start the organization's TV channel and has been chairman.
That the group has carried out attacks in Iran where civilians have fallen victim puts the Swedish government in a difficult position.
- The question is whether the Swedish government wants to be associated with it.
"No opportunity to defend yourself"
Chaab lived in exile in Sweden before he disappeared in Turkey in 2020. Afterwards, he was shown on Iranian television and confessed to the crime.
But the outside world does not always trust confessions that may have been obtained through torture.
- It is important to remember that Iran is a totalitarian state.
The judiciary and courts are in no way trustworthy, says Arvin Khoshnood.
Maja Åberg, expert at Amnesty, agrees.
- Since he has not received a fair trial, one cannot comment on the issue of guilt.
Maja Åberg says that Iran has used people with dual citizenship for prisoner exchanges as "pieces in a political game".
- It is not something that Sweden has previously engaged in.
Arvin Khoshnood believes that the possibility of having him extradited is closed.
- He will most likely be executed.
The situation is different
Swedish-Iranian researcher Ahmadreza Djalalis has also been imprisoned in Iran and sentenced to death.
But his situation is very different, says Arvin Khoshnood.
- The Swedish government has been active in trying to get him released.
The fact that Habib Chaab belonged to an organization that committed attacks against the civilian population makes it more difficult for him.