Appeals Court; Mohammad Nuri Zad Sentenced to Imprisonment, Lashing, and Banishment
Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, the defense lawyer of Mohammad Nuri Zad, a civil activist, filmmaker, and journalist imprisoned in Evin Prison, announced the confirmation of his client’s conviction by the Appeals Court of Khorasan Razavi Province in the second section of his case. Mr. Nuri Zad was sentenced in August of this year by the Criminal Court II of Mashhad to 8 months of imprisonment, 148 lashes, and one year of banishment to Tabas.
According to Hrana News Agency, the news organ of the Human Rights Activists in Iran network, the Appeals Court of Khorasan Razavi Province upheld Mohammad Nuri Zad’s conviction in exactly the same terms.
Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Mohammad Nuri Zad’s defense lawyer, wrote on his personal page: “Mr. Nuri Zad’s second conviction in Mashhad became final. With lightning speed, the Mashhad Appeals Court rejected my objection to the sentence of 8 months imprisonment and two counts of 74 lashes against him. I am astonished at how the Appeals Court could read and determine my client’s case and objection in such a short time, and that the objection was unfounded!”
Mr. Nuri Zad was sentenced in August of this year in the second section of his case by the Criminal Court II of Mashhad to 8 months of imprisonment for appearing in front of the building where the appeals court hearing of Kamal Jafari Yazdi was being held, on the charge of “disturbing public order,” 74 lashes, and banishment to Tabas, and for the charge of “spreading falsehoods,” to 74 lashes.
His defense lawyer previously, while confirming this news to Hrana, said: “I believe that the sentence issued under the charge of disturbing public order is completely incorrect and does not in any way correspond to my client’s actions, including his presence in front of the appeals court hearing of Kamal Jafari Yazdi. Article 618 of the Islamic Penal Code states: ‘Anyone who causes disruption to public order, peace, and tranquility through commotion and quarrel, or through unusual actions or assault on individuals, or prevents people from engaging in business, shall be sentenced to imprisonment of three months to one year and up to 74 lashes.’ Which behavior of my clients in front of the appeals court and requesting to participate in that court session complies with this article? Not at all, not at all. This was merely an excuse to issue a ruling.”
The court hearing to examine Mr. Nuri Zad’s charges was held on July 31 of this year regarding the second section of his case, by order of the judicial deputy in Branch 1101 of Criminal Court II of Tehran. After the court session ended, the case was finally sent to Branch 149 of Criminal Court II of Mashhad for issuing a verdict.
Mohammad Nuri Zad was previously convicted in the first section of his case by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad under Judge Mansouri on charges including “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, insulting sacred values, insulting the Supreme Leader, causing public anxiety, cooperating with foreign media, participating in illegal gatherings” to 15 years imprisonment, 3 years banishment to Izeh, and 3 years travel ban.
This sentence was modified on appeal by Branch 35 of the Appeals Court of Khorasan Razavi Province to 15 years imprisonment, 2 years banishment to Izeh, and 2 years travel ban.
On August 20, 2019, Mr. Nuri Zad, along with a number of labor and civil activists, appeared in front of the location where the appeals court hearing of Kamal Jafari Yazdi, a university professor imprisoned in Mashhad Prison, was being held, and was arrested by security forces. He was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was finally transferred from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to Evin Prison some time ago.
In mid-August 2019, a letter signed by 14 civil activists calling for Ayatollah Khamenei’s resignation was published. Following the publication of this letter, a number of signatories were arrested and others were placed under pressure. Currently, Mohammad Nuri Zad, Hashem Khavastar, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, and several other signatories of this statement are in detention, while some others have been released on bail.
Mohammad Nuri Zad has previously had a history of arrest and conviction for his peaceful civil activities. Mr. Nuri Zad was previously summoned on July 17 by receiving a summons to the First Branch of Evin Prosecutor’s Office, and on July 19, 2019, he appeared at the First Branch of Evin Prosecutor’s Office. After being informed of the charges and issuing an order, he was transferred to Evin Prison. After 4 days, on July 22, he was transferred to Gorgan Prison, and finally on July 31, he was released from prison on bail. His court hearing regarding his charges was held on August 14 at the Revolutionary Court of Gorgan.
Mohammad Nuri Zad is a 66-year-old Iranian filmmaker, screenwriter, and journalist. He was considered a hard-line religious journalist who joined the ranks of active critics of the Islamic Republic in the late 1980s, and in recent years has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned due to his civil activities and visits with families of political prisoners.
Source: Hrana
