Heavy Prison Sentences Issued for Health Activists; Informed Source Tells Voice of America: Judge Has Violated the Law
The Islamic Revolution Court issued a preliminary ruling in the case known as the health activists, sentencing Mostafa Nili and Mehdi Mohammadian each to four years, Arash Keikhosravi to two years, Mohammad Reza Faghihi to six months, and Maryam Afrafaraz to 95 days in prison.
The court’s preliminary verdict is subject to appeal for 20 days, but a source close to the defendants in this case told the Persian Service of Voice of America that if these sentences are not overturned, these individuals will file a complaint with the Administrative Justice Court because they believe “the judge has violated the law.”
Based on the text of this verdict obtained by Voice of America, Branch 29 of the Islamic Revolution Court of Tehran, headed by “Ali Mazloom,” has charged lawyers and civil activists in this case with security-related offenses.
According to the issued verdict, Mostafa Nili, a lawyer, and Mehdi Mohammadian, a civil activist, faced two charges of “participation in forming and managing opposition groups” and “propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic system and disrupting public order” through what was described as “pioneering” action within the country “aimed at stirring unfounded emotions of families of those who died from COVID-19 and bringing them to the streets under the pretext of complaining against those who prevented the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines,” which the court deemed “part of the enemy’s objectives.”
Likewise, Arash Keikhosravi, a lawyer, was accused of “membership in opposition groups,” and Maryam Afrafaraz, a civil activist, and Mohammad Reza Faghihi, a lawyer, were accused of “assembly and conspiracy with intent to harm national security.”
The issued ruling states: “Given that the defendants were members of the bar association and aware of their duties, having taken an oath to enforce justice and the rights of the nation, but unfortunately they have deviated from this serious matter and have attempted to align themselves with the enemy, some of whom also have a history of judicial convictions in this regard, the court, based on Articles 610 and Section (a) of Article 18 and Section (p) of Article 23 of the Islamic Penal Code, sentences Mr. Mohammadian and Mr. Nili to four years imprisonment and two years deprivation of the right to practice law and engage in media activities (written, audio, and visual), and Mr. Keikhosravi to two years imprisonment and one year deprivation of the right to practice law and engage in media activities (written, audio, and visual), and by applying Section (th) and (j) of Article 37 of the Islamic Penal Code, sentences Mr. Faghihi to six months imprisonment and Ms. Afrafaraz to 95 days imprisonment.”
According to Mahmoud Behzadi Rad, the lawyer of Mostafa Nili, one of the charges in this case involved forming a group on “WhatsApp and Clubhouse” to discuss shortcomings in the deaths of Iranian citizens due to COVID-19.
The Clubhouse room of these activists was illegally monitored, and discussions raised in it were selectively used to build a case against these members.
Maryam Afrafaraz also previously unveiled “white torture” during detention in a detailed interview and stated that interrogators in many cases attempted to coerce her into accepting fabricated charges against herself through pressure and suggestion.
Source: Voice of America
