A Teacher and Writer in Karaj Sentenced to Prison and Teaching Ban

Ahmad Derakhshan, a teacher, writer, and literary activist residing in Karaj, was sentenced on Thursday, December 27, to one year of imprisonment and additional penalties, including a two-year ban from teaching. According to the human rights organization "Hangaw," the second branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Karaj convicted Mr. Derakhshan on charges of "propaganda against the regime". In addition, he received supplementary penalties, including a two-year prohibition on membership in social groups, a ban on leaving the country, a prohibition on working as a teacher, and a two-year suspension from public and governmental services after serving his prison sentence. The court session regarding this case was held on November 12, 2023, in the second branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Karaj. The verdict was communicated verbally to the lawyer of this literary activist. Previously, Ahmad Derakhshan was summoned to the 13th branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in District One of Karaj on October 7, 2023, where he was informed of the charges and was released after posting bail until the conclusion of the legal proceedings. This teacher and literary activist had also been summoned and interrogated in this context before. The Iranian Writers' Association wrote about Mr. Derakhshan: he is a storyteller, and among his works are "Changing the Direction of the Wind is Forbidden" and "Foggy Night". The status of the route for the exiled protesting teacher and the declaration of solidarity from educators with students on the occasion of December 7, as well as Ismail Abdi being banned from leaving the country due to "case-making by the IRGC" against labor activists, were also mentioned.