Songwriter and Literary Activist Based in Isfahan Sentenced to Prison

Kasri Tabrizi, a songwriter and literary activist residing in Isfahan, has been sentenced to 6 months in prison by the Revolutionary Court.

Kasri Tabrizi announced the news on his Instagram page, stating that the 6-month prison sentence on charges of “propaganda activity against the system” was issued to him on Wednesday, June 11 (21 Khordad) during a hearing at the Revolutionary Court. Mr. Tabrizi stated that this sentence is final and enforceable and will be served in Zahedan Prison.

According to released information, the hearing for this case took place on May 19 (29 Ordibehesht) of the current year, and the sentence was issued by Branch 2 of the Zahedan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Javad Mousavi, against this literary activist.

Prior to this, Kasri Tabrizi had announced on Instagram by posting an image of his summons that on the same Wednesday, June 11 (21 Khordad), in the second part of the same case regarding the charge of “spreading falsehoods in cyberspace with intent to disturb public opinion,” he would be tried by Branch 106 of Zahedan Criminal Court 2, presided over by Judge Khodaverdi.

According to released reports, this poet and literary activist was arrested in late February 2019 (late Bahman 1397) by security forces from Isfahan following a complaint from the Zahedan General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office due to his participation in protest gatherings in December 2017 (Dey 1396) in Zahedan. After more than a month in detention, he was temporarily released in late March 1398 (late Esfand 1397) after posting a 500 million Toman bail until the completion of legal proceedings.

The U.S. State Department has repeatedly condemned the violent treatment of the Iranian people by the Islamic Republic regime under various pretexts, as well as the repeated and continuous violation of the rights of Iranian citizens by regime agents.

Source: Voice of America