Details of the 18-year prison sentence for political activist Shahin Khakpour; punishment for online activity and criticism of Khamenei
Shahin Khakpour, a political activist living in Shiraz, was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Kerman Revolutionary Court.
Sources close to the political activist told VOA that the sentence was issued in connection with his activities and his criticism of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
A source familiar with the details of Ms. Khakpour's case told VOA that the 18-year prison sentence for this political activist comes despite the fact that she did not have access to a lawyer during her trial and trial.
The source, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told VOA that Ms. Khakpour was arrested by the Kerman IRGC Intelligence Department on June 25, 2018. She was released from Kerman Prison on bail of half a billion Tomans. On Wednesday, August 28, 2018, Ms. Khakpour was sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison by the First Branch of the Kerman Revolutionary Court on charges such as “acting against national security by forming groups opposed to the regime,” “propaganda activity against the regime in favor of groups opposed to the regime,” and insulting Khamenei. If the verdict is upheld by the appeals court, she will have to serve at least 10 years in prison.
According to this informed source, Ms. Khakpour's court hearing was held on Tuesday, August 28, and after one day, she was sentenced to 18 years in prison. This is despite the fact that she did not have access to a lawyer during the case and court hearing, and the judge issued this sentence knowing that she suffers from some kind of mental illness.
According to the informed person, this is not the first time that Shahin Khakpour has been arrested for political activities. He was previously arrested in Shiraz in November 2016 and January 2017 and was acquitted of the charges after a medical commission diagnosed him with a mental illness. However, in a court hearing held in Kerman on August 28, the judge told him that despite the case file and medical history, he would not be acquitted.
It is said that the charges against this civil activist included activity in cyberspace, membership in royalist channels, writing slogans and distributing leaflets against Khamenei, and supporting the Pahlavi dynasty.
In recent years, following the increasing economic turmoil in Iran, various groups of people have protested, and some protesters, declaring their support for the Pahlavi dynasty, chanted the slogan "Reza Shah, may your soul rest in peace." Protests that angered the authorities of the Islamic Republic and led to arrests and heavy sentences. On the other hand, some activists have been arrested and faced long prison sentences for their activities on social media.
The US Department of State has repeatedly condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran's regime's violent actions against the people of Iran, including civil activists, under various pretexts, as well as the repeated and persistent violations of the rights of Iranian citizens by agents of the regime.
Source: Voice of America
