17 Members of Parliament Demand Explanation of Narges Mohammadi's Case to the Public

On Sunday, November 6, 17 members of parliament wrote a letter to Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, the Attorney General of the country, requesting him to explain the contents of Narges Mohammadi's case to the public so that, according to them, public opinion can judge the verdict against her. According to ISNA news agency, these representatives called for a re-examination of the case of Narges Mohammadi, the Vice President of the Human Rights Defenders Center, who has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on security charges. They wrote: "Sometimes a criticism is considered propaganda against the regime, or a collective reform movement is regarded as the vague and interpretable concept of 'conspiracy against national security,' and for each, years of imprisonment are imposed without considering the impact and scope of the accused's actions and the philosophy of punishment, which is to deter the offender and others in society." These representatives stated that harsh judicial sentences, especially against political social activists, have a counterproductive effect, adding: "...it feels like the issued punishment is more to intimidate other political social activists, and usually this intention is not achieved and sometimes leads to the emboldening of the accused and others." Mohammad Jafar Montazeri had previously stated that Narges Mohammadi's case is not in a good condition and added: "Representatives should investigate the status of the cases of those they support before writing letters in their favor. If the judiciary does not disclose the documents of these individuals' offenses, it does not mean they are good people." This judicial official referred to a letter from a group of parliamentarians on October 17 and their request to overturn Narges Mohammadi's prison sentence and review her case, stating: "If these actions are done out of ignorance, it is a disaster for society and the system, and if intentional, it is a great disaster for society." The Attorney General also referred to Narges Mohammadi as a part of what he called a "sinister triangle and an outcast element." Previously, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the First Deputy of the Judiciary, had stated that Islamic mercy does not apply to Narges Mohammadi and that parliament members do not have the legal authority to make this request. In response to these remarks, Ms. Mohammadi, on November 25, requested the Attorney General to publish her indictment and defense. She wrote that as a free Iranian citizen, she will not allow any violation of her dignity, identity, and humanity and that she will not remain silent until "her rights are restored and justice is served." Ms. Mohammadi emphasized: "I am ready for every page of my indictment and defense and every moment of my life to be revealed so that we all can be judged by public opinion, and those of us who deserve to be outcasted should be outcasted." Narges Mohammadi was sentenced in May to five years in prison for "conspiracy and collusion with the intent to commit a crime against national security," one year for "propaganda against the regime," and ten years for "forming and managing the Legam group." According to ISNA, the 17 parliament members, while calling for a re-examination of Ms. Mohammadi's case, added that "such individual actions do not harm the Islamic Republic system," which they claim "is rooted in the Islamic faith of the people." Nevertheless, they pointed out that the judiciary is an independent power according to the Iranian constitution, stating: "Ultimately, her sentence must be accepted even if we do not consider it fair." Narges Mohammadi's sentence has sparked protests in Iran and around the world, and an international campaign for her release has been launched since October 20.