Re-issuance of Two Death Sentences and Decades-Long Prison Terms for December Protest Detainees
Concurrent with intensified judicial proceedings against protesters, Tehran’s Revolutionary and Appeals Courts have issued and upheld severe sentences against several detainees from December protests; sentences that include two death penalties, decades of imprisonment, and have further raised concerns over fair trial procedures.
As proceedings continue against detainees from the December 1404 protests, the Islamic Republic’s judiciary has issued and upheld harsh sentences against a number of defendants in these cases; including two death sentences, several lengthy prison terms, and referrals of some cases to the enforcement stage of sentences.
According to published reports, Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Solvati, has sentenced “Mehdi Nazar” and his fiancée “Mahnaz Chaardoli” to death. In addition to the death sentence, Mahnaz Chaardoli has also been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment, and “Aatefe Nazar,” the sister of Mehdi Nazar, has received a 10-year prison sentence in the same case.
In the issued verdict, the charges against these three individuals included “attacking a mosque with Molotov cocktails,” “participation in unlawful gatherings,” and “conspiracy and collusion.” These three citizens were arrested on December 21 of last year during nationwide protests and are currently being held in Evin Prison.
According to informed sources, the proceedings on this case have been accompanied by legal ambiguities and criticisms regarding the non-observance of fair trial principles. It has also been reported that the families of these prisoners have been pressured not to disclose information about the issued sentences.
In another case, Branch 36 of Tehran Province’s Appeals Court has upheld a 10-year prison sentence for “Parya Dadgarsafa,” another detainee from the December protests, exactly as originally issued. According to the verdict, four years of this sentence have been suspended, with six years of unconditional imprisonment to be enforced.
Parya Dadgarsafa was previously sentenced in Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Reza Amouzad, in a joint case with “Rebowar Marabi,” a Kurdish citizen from Kamyaran, each receiving 10 years of imprisonment. According to the latest reports, following the finalization of the verdict in the appeals court, the case of these two defendants has been referred to the enforcement branch of the general and revolutionary prosecutor’s office located in Evin Prison.
Parya Dadgarsafa and Rebowar Marabi were also arrested during last year’s December protests, but were temporarily released after some time upon posting bail pending the conclusion of proceedings.
The issuance and confirmation of these sentences occur as human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concerns in recent years over the issuance of death sentences and severe punishments for protesters, proceedings in revolutionary courts, and restrictions on defendants’ access to fair trial procedures. These organizations have called for halting the execution of death sentences and respecting international human rights standards in the handling of political and security-related cases.
