Hengameh Shahidi Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison; Disclosure of Charges Prohibited

Hengameh Shahidi’s lawyer, a journalist, announced his client’s conviction to more than 12 years in prison.

Mostafa Turk Hamadani told the Islamic Republic’s official news agency that Ms. Shahidi, in addition to being sentenced to 12 years and 9 months in prison, has been sentenced to 2 years of deprivation from membership in groups and parties as well as virtual and press activities, and to leave the country.

This lawyer stated that the verdict was issued by Judge Selavati in Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, saying that due to the security nature of the case, he cannot disclose its details.

However, in a message posted on a Twitter account under the name Hengameh Shahidi, it is stated that this sentence was issued on the charge of demanding a report on 9 years of management and criticism of the performance of Sadegh Amoli Larijani, Head of the Judiciary.

The issuance of this sentence and the prohibition on reporting about its details have led to criticism in cyberspace. One legal expert asked: “Is the court verdict an interrogation document that the lawyer is prohibited from stating its details?”

This user wrote that such actions further cast doubt on the fairness of the trials.

Hengameh Shahidi was prosecuted and arrested in June this year on charges of insulting the Head of the Judiciary based on an order from the Ministry of Intelligence and with a ruling from the Press and Media Prosecutor’s Office.

Before his arrest, he had accused Sadegh Larijani of corruption and incompetence in the judicial system in Twitter messages.

Source: Voice of America