68 Years of Imprisonment for 11 Individuals in Mashhad for 'Setting Fire to Mosques and Public Property'

The Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad announced that a total of 68 years of imprisonment has been issued for 11 members of the 'Restart' group, including a 14-year sentence for a 37-year-old woman and an 11-year sentence for two men. Five of these individuals are accused of 'attacking' two mosques in Mashhad. According to the IRNA news agency, Hassan Heydari, the Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad, reported on Tuesday, March 21, that prison sentences have been issued for 11 members of the 'Restart' group, which he referred to as 'opposition groups'. He stated that a 37-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man, who had previously lived together and divorced, were arrested for 'setting fire' to the door of Al-Ghadir Mosque on Thaman Street in Mashhad. According to Mr. Heydari, this woman was sentenced to five years in prison for 'membership in opposition groups', five years for 'insulting sacred values by setting fire to the mosque door', three years for 'destruction of public property', and one year for 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic'. The accused man was also sentenced to two years for 'aiding in the insult to sacred values by setting fire to the mosque door', two years for 'aiding in membership in opposition groups', six months for 'aiding in propaganda against the Islamic Republic', and six months for possessing 39 bullets. The Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad also mentioned that the Sonata car and mobile phone of the accused, which were used during the crime, were confiscated for the benefit of the state. In total, the woman received a 14-year sentence and the man received five years. The Deputy Prosecutor did not refer to the sentence that these two must serve or how Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code applies to them. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if a person's crimes exceed one case, only the highest penalty is considered. The Deputy Prosecutor also reported that another young man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for 'setting fire to the door of Imam Hadi Mosque' with similar charges. According to Mr. Heydari, a 26-year-old man and his 21-year-old wife were arrested for 'setting fire to the curtain of Imam Hadi Mosque', with the man receiving an 11-year sentence. The report also stated that the 21-year-old wife was sentenced to one year in prison for 'propaganda against the regime by distributing a film'. Additionally, two young men aged 19 and 20 in Mashhad and one person in Sabzevar were each sentenced to six years for 'propaganda against the regime' and 'membership in an opposition group'. A 26-year-old man was sentenced to one year for graffiti, and a 38-year-old man was sentenced to one year for distributing a film of 'unconventional and violent mourning ceremonies'. The Deputy Prosecutor also mentioned that a young woman was sentenced to six years in prison for her connection with the 'Monafeqin organization' and for 'sending films' to satellite networks. Iranian officials usually refer to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization as 'Monafeqin' and sometimes use this term for other opposition groups as well. In total, 68 years of prison sentences have been issued for these 11 individuals. The Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad did not provide evidence regarding the connection of these individuals with the 'Restart' group or other opposition groups. In recent months, Iranian law enforcement officials have reported the arrest of individuals accused of attacking several centers, including mosques and banks, claiming without evidence that they are members of the 'Restart' group. Mohammad Hosseini, a former presenter of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and comedian who has lived abroad for several years, has formed a campaign called 'Restart' calling for attacks on centers such as banks, mosques, and Basij bases, stating that the aim of these actions is to attempt to change the regime of the Islamic Republic. A citizen residing in Ahvaz was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Meanwhile, the 'Kaleme' website reported that Reza Achresh, 33, was sentenced to 11 years in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, presided over by Judge Zare. The Harana website also reported that this Arab citizen residing in Ahvaz was sentenced to 11 years in prison for charges of 'espionage', 'collaboration with opposition groups', and 'propaganda against the regime'. This site did not specify the exact number, stating that part of this sentence is suspended. Reza Achresh was arrested in August 2016 and remains imprisoned. 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