Another verdict for Mohammad Nourizad; this civil activist was sentenced to prison and exile for appearing in court

Mohammad Nourizad's lawyer announced that his client was sentenced to 8 months in prison, one year in exile, and flogging in another case.

Mohammad Hossein Aghasi wrote on his Twitter page on Tuesday, August 19, that Mohammad Nourizad, a political and civil activist imprisoned in Iran, has been sentenced to 74 lashes, 8 months in prison, and one year of exile to Tabas for being accused of being in front of the court building.

He further wrote that his client was also sentenced to 74 lashes in connection with the charge of spreading lies.

The lawyer explained that "the court referred to his baseless defenses, while he said a lot but did not say anything about himself, which is considered a defense. I cannot comment on the court's bitter and stinging response in the verdict at this time."

Mohammad Nourizad, a civil activist, was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after signing a letter demanding Khamenei's resignation on July 10 after going to the First Branch of the 33rd District Prosecutor's Office in Evin. He was also sentenced to 15 years in prison in April of this year for signing the letter.

The arrest of the signatories of the letter comes at a time when Ali Khamenei has stated in his speeches that people are free to criticize him. However, not only is there no criticism of the Leader of the Islamic Republic in the media, but even the slightest criticism raised by activists carries the charge of insulting the Leader.

Earlier, the Islamic Republic's security officials had accused the signatories of these letters of trying to "plan a new sedition." Many of the signatories of these two letters have been arrested.

International human rights organizations and the United States government have accused the Islamic Republic of violating freedom of expression and suppressing civil activists, and have called for the release of journalists who have been imprisoned simply for carrying out their duties and careers.

The US State Department also says that the Iranian regime has arrested thousands of protesters, civil activists, representatives of workers and other trade unions in the last two years.

Source: Voice of America