Three of those arrested during the November protests in Kermanshah were sentenced to a total of more than 17 years in prison.
Khalil Asadi Bozhani, Sofhat Omidi, and Mehdi Abdali, three of those arrested during the November protests, have been sentenced to 17 years and 6 months in prison by the Revolutionary Court.
According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, the hearing of the case of these citizens was held on February 11 in Branch 3 of the Kermanshah Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Asadi, along with another co-defendant named Mohiuddin Asghari.
Based on the verdict, Khalil Asadi Bozhani was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in prison on charges of "gathering and colluding against national security" and "membership in groups opposed to the regime." Shafaq Omidi was sentenced to 10 years in prison on similar charges, and Mehdi Abdali was sentenced to one year in prison.
According to Mosafi Ahmadian, the lawyer defending two of these civil activists, examples of the charges against Mr. Asadi Bozhani include "attending the November protests" and "sending news and images to other people."
The prison sentences for these civil activists were issued by the Revolutionary Court, while, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates the aggregation of sentences, only 3 years and six months of Khalil Asadi Bozhani's sentence and 5 years of Mohieddin Asghari's sentence will be applicable as the maximum punishment.
According to available information, Omidi was arrested by security forces on November 19 while injured and, after spending 41 days in detention at the Intelligence Department's detention center and Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah, he was temporarily released on bail until the end of the trial.
Mehdi Abdali was also arrested during the November protests while being shot and after spending 28 days in detention at the Intelligence Department's detention center and Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah, he was temporarily released on bail of 100 million Tomans until the end of the trial.
Currently, Khalil Asadi Bozhani, who was arrested on November 19 at his family home in Jafarabad, Kermanshah, is being held in Dieselabad Prison due to his inability to provide bail of 210 million Tomans.
Protests against the increase in gasoline prices began on Friday, November 14, after the sudden release of news of the increase in gasoline prices, in various cities of Iran, including Mashhad, Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, Behbahan, and gradually spread to all regions of the country. Over the past two days, various news and videos have been published showing protest rallies and people chanting slogans against the government in various cities. In some cities, protesters set fire to banks and clashed with the police.
The United States says the Islamic Republic spends its wealth on supporting terrorist groups and destabilizing the Middle East instead of its people. The United States has also repeatedly condemned institutionalized financial corruption and the looting of Iran's God-given assets by regime affiliates, citing them as major contributors to Iran's economic and financial problems.
For example, not long ago, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in several tweets about the Islamic Republic's officials that instead of helping the people, they were involved in corruption.
Source: Voice of America
