26 Protesters Sentenced in Tabriz

According to a ruling issued by Branch 112 of the Tabriz Criminal Court, 26 spectators during the football match between Tractor Sazi and Siah Jamgan have been sentenced to imprisonment, flogging, and fines. The ruling, issued by Mohammad Ali Peiri, the head of the branch, on Sunday, July 27, states that all defendants were charged with disturbing public order through creating chaos and uproar, with 11 individuals sentenced to 74 lashes and one year in prison. The remaining individuals, due to their lack of criminal records, were sentenced to pay a fine of five million rials instead of imprisonment. Naghi Mahmoudi, a lawyer residing in Germany who has defended Azerbaijani civil activists in recent years, told Radio Farda that 'the ruling against the eleven defendants, each sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes, was issued in absentia and was confirmed after their appeal against the absent ruling.' The football match between Tractor and Siah Jamgan took place at Yadegar Imam Stadium in Tabriz on November 29, during which some spectators protested by displaying banners and chanting slogans against the 'Fitileh' program aired on the second channel of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. The airing of the comedic program 'Fitileh,' which faced widespread criticism and protests, angered various individuals. Protesters believe the program contains derogatory content towards Azerbaijanis. Following the airing of an episode of 'Fitileh,' the director of Channel Two of the state television reprimanded two individuals and dismissed one supervisory official due to what was termed 'insulting Azerbaijanis in Iran.' Earlier, the state television had announced in a statement that the airing of 'Fitileh' had been halted. Mahmoudi states that 'any form of insult through the press or state television that causes ethnic discord and incites hatred is criminalized under current Iranian laws and is subject to punishment.' He adds that 'the program aired on Channel Two also committed such an act, causing ethnic discord in society, which prompted a reaction from the head of state television. However, unfortunately, after several months, the producers of the Fitileh program continued their activities on Channel Two.' Mahmoudi further states that 'on the other hand, according to Article 27 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, participation in any gatherings is free as long as they are not armed and do not disrupt the principles of Islam; therefore, the protest of Tractor fans was free and legal according to this article, and the Tabriz Criminal Court's reliance on it as a criminal act disturbing public order lacks legal basis.'