Details of 18-Year Prison Sentence for Shahin Khakpour, Political Activist; Punishment for Virtual Activity and Criticism of Khamenei
Shahin Khakpour, a political activist residing in Shiraz, has recently been sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Kerman Revolutionary Court.
Sources close to this political activist told Voice of America that the sentence was issued in connection with her activities and criticisms of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
An informed source familiar with the details of Khakpour’s case told Voice of America that the 18-year prison sentence was handed down while she did not have access to a lawyer during the trial and court proceedings.
This informed source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Voice of America that Khakpour was arrested on June 23 of last year by officers of the Kerman Revolutionary Guards Intelligence Department. Shortly after, she was temporarily released from Kerman prison on a 500 million toman bail. Khakpour was sentenced on Wednesday, July 30 of this year by the First Branch of the Kerman Revolutionary Court on charges including “action against national security through the formation of anti-regime groups,” “propaganda activity against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups,” as well as insulting Khamenei, to a total of 18 years in prison. If the sentence is upheld by the appeals court, she must remain in prison for at least 10 years.
According to this informed source, Khakpour’s court session was held on Tuesday, July 29, and one day later, the 18-year prison sentence was issued against her. This occurred while she had no access to a lawyer during the case review and court proceedings, and the judge, despite knowing that she suffers from some type of neurological and mental illness, issued this sentence.
According to this informed person, this is not the first time Shahin Khakpour has been arrested due to her political activities. She was previously arrested in November 2016 and December 2017 in Shiraz, and was acquitted of the charges after being diagnosed with a neurological and mental disorder by a medical commission. However, in a court session held on July 29 in Kerman, the judge told her that despite the existence of a medical file and history, he would not acquit her.
It is reported that the examples of charges brought against this civil activist included activity in cyberspace, membership in monarchist channels, graffiti writing and distribution of leaflets against Khamenei, and support for the Pahlavi family.
In recent years, following increased economic turmoil in Iran, various groups of people have protested, and some protesters, by expressing support for the Pahlavi family in some of the protests, chanted “Reza Shah, may your soul rest in peace.” Protests that angered Islamic Republic officials and led to arrests and heavy sentences. On the other hand, some activists have been arrested for activity on social media and faced lengthy prison sentences.
The U.S. State Department has repeatedly condemned the violent dealings of the Islamic Republic regime with the Iranian people, including civil activists, under various pretexts, as well as the repeated and continuous violations of Iranian citizens’ rights by regime officials.
Source: Voice of America
