Ambiguity Surrounds Amir Shah-Valayati; Summoned and Re-arrested Concurrently with Neda Al-Nashif's Visit to Iran

Simultaneously with the visit of the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to Iran, Amir Shah-Valayati, a young man who was injured in the eye during the crackdown on the nationwide protests of 2022, was returned to Evin Prison after being released on bail. Payam Darfashan, Shah-Valayati's lawyer, described the judiciary's actions as 'illogical.' Amir Shah-Valayati's left eye was injured on September 24, 2022, by pellet bullets fired by government agents in the Narmak neighborhood of eastern Tehran. Nevertheless, he was arrested by intelligence forces on May 17 of this year. After being released on bail, Amir Shah-Valayati was summoned again on January 22 and, after being informed of the charges, was re-arrested and transferred to Evin Prison. According to the news site 'Emtidad,' on Wednesday, February 7, Payam Darfashan discussed Amir Shah-Valayati's case, stating that after being released on bail, he was transferred to the general ward of Evin Prison following a new summons with a 'change in the title of the charges.' The report indicated that Amir Shah-Valayati is suffering from 'physical pain' due to 'pellets that cannot be removed from his body.' Darfashan noted that it is unclear who returned Amir Shah-Valayati to prison 'to fill and complete the case,' and he has been 'in a state of ambiguity in the current case for several weeks, suffering in pain.' This ambiguous situation of the injured protester in Evin Prison coincides with Neda Al-Nashif's visit, which has raised concerns among human rights groups and activists, warning that this visit will be exploited for the Islamic Republic's propaganda purposes. However, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, stated in an interview with the English section of Voice of America that Ms. Al-Nashif has met and discussed with relevant government officials, judicial authorities, and UN partners, assuring that this visit will not be misused for propaganda by the Islamic Republic. According to Payam Darfashan, Amir Shah-Valayati's appointed lawyer has not been allowed access to the case file at the investigative stage, and a 'government-imposed forced lawyer' has been appointed for him, who insisted during the hearing that he write that he does not object to the detention order, assuring him that 'the case will go to court in a maximum of three days,' while he remains in limbo for several weeks. The Emtidad website reported that the 'appointed lawyer further advised that instead of pursuing the case, it would be better to worship with his family in the belly of the whale like Prophet Yunus to stay safe.' Darfashan stated that 'despite losing one eye and continuous pain,' Amir Shah-Valayati is 'the only breadwinner for his mother and younger sister.' The appointed lawyer also emphasized that appointed lawyers, instead of fulfilling their legal duties, 'deprive the client of legal rights by providing false information,' and the judicial authority 'has even made it impossible for a single meeting with the appointed lawyer.' Darfashan, referring to Neda Al-Nashif's visit to Iran, said, 'Global living is a real, responsible, and beneficial matter, and if officials believed otherwise, they would not invite the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to the country.' Pressure on independent lawyers in Iran and preventing them from accessing their clients' files has increased following last year's nationwide protests. Sina Yousafi stated to Voice of America regarding the increasing pressures on the legal profession that these pressures are aimed at violating the defensive rights of the people. According to Yousafi, with the new actions of the judiciary, the government aims to 'prosecute and punish people and protesters without any effort.'