Amjad Amini, Father of Mahsa Amini, Accused of 'Propaganda Against the Regime'

Amjad Amini, the father of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, announced on Friday, January 25, that the judicial system of the Islamic Republic has accused him of 'propaganda against the regime' due to his protests against the death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi. Mr. Amini stated in a text posted on his official Instagram account that he was initially summoned and charged under the pretext of 'spreading falsehoods,' but ultimately was accused of 'propaganda against the regime.' He further mentioned that he was summoned to the first branch of the investigative court in Saqez on January 14 with a five-day deadline and attended the investigation on Saturday, January 19. Mr. Amini described his and his wife Mojgan Eftekhari's life after Mahsa's death as a 'gradual death' and added that the complainant in this case was the governmental institutions of the Islamic Republic. He continued that only 48 hours later, another document was delivered to him stating that the case against him for 'spreading falsehoods' was dismissed. Mr. Amini said that in this new document, he was accused of 'propaganda against the regime,' which was neither mentioned in the summons nor explained by the investigator, and a summons for trial was issued against him. He stated that the following day, he received two more messages indicating that he has cases in criminal and revolutionary courts. He clarified that the formation of these cases was 'following a story I posted for Pakhshan Azizi.' Amjad Amini described the outcome of 'propaganda against the regime' from the judicial system of the Islamic Republic, despite mentioning the charge of 'spreading falsehoods' in the summons and the investigator's statements, as a 'major violation.' The issuance of the death sentence against Pakhshan Azizi and another Kurdish political prisoner, Varishe Moradi, has faced severe protests from Iranian political and civil activists as well as the international community. Additionally, Kurdish cities and the market in Sanandaj have recently refrained from opening their shops and went on strike in response to calls from Kurdish parties to protest the issuance of death sentences against Varishe Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi. Ms. Azizi was sentenced to death and four years in prison on August 24 of this year by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Iman Afshari, on charges of 'rebellion through membership in opposing groups.' She was arrested last summer by the intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic in Tehran. A group of United Nations experts also expressed their deep concern in a statement on Tuesday, January 16, regarding the confirmation of Pakhshan Azizi's death sentence by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic. According to the website of the UN Human Rights Council, they wrote: 'The charges against Ms. Pakhshan Azizi do not meet the threshold of the most serious crimes necessary for the imposition of the death penalty under international law,' emphasizing that 'her death sentence constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law.' The United States, dozens of human rights organizations, political prisoners, Amnesty International, and a group of United Nations experts are among those protesting this sentence. The killing of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police in 2022 led to widespread nationwide protests in Iran. During the protests, the Iranian government killed hundreds with gunfire and arrested and imprisoned thousands. A member of the European Parliament called for the annulment of the sentences against Pakhshan Azizi and Varishe Moradi. Eight citizens protesting the death sentences were arrested in Sanandaj and Saqez. Narges Mohammadi stated: 'The executioners have raised gallows in Iranian prisons.' The campaign for the freedom of Varishe Moradi stated: 'The life of this political prisoner is still in danger.' The 'suspension' of the execution of Pakhshan Azizi's sentence coincided with the strike of shopkeepers in Kurdish cities. Support from 3,400 activists for Pakhshan Azizi: 'She embodies our pains and aspirations.'