Arash Sadeghi's Appeal Rejected; Court of Appeals Confirms 4-Year Sentence for Civil Activist

Arash Sadeghi's lawyer announced the rejection of his appeal and the full confirmation of his sentence by the Court of Appeals. Ramin Safarnia Kheshtani, Sadeghi's lawyer, wrote on social media platform 'X' on Thursday evening: 'After the appeal and the hearing session, the sentence of my client Arash Sadeghi, which was issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, was fully confirmed in Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals.' He added: 'According to this ruling, Arash Sadeghi has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for the charge of conspiracy and collusion, and eight months in prison for the charge of propaganda against the regime, along with asset confiscation, two years of exile, two years of prohibition from leaving the country, two years of prohibition from membership in political parties and groups, and two years of prohibition from participating in social media.' Ramin Safarnia also wrote: 'Arash's ruling has currently been sent to Branch 1 of the execution of sentences, and I have sent a letter to the forensic medicine department so that, if approved, Mr. Sadeghi can receive a reprieve from execution of the sentence for treatment purposes.' Arash Sadeghi was sentenced in Bahman 1401 (January 2023) by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court for the charge of 'conspiracy and collusion' to five years and for 'propaganda against the regime' to eight months in prison, along with prohibitions on leaving the country, presence in Tehran and northern provinces for two years, activity in social media, and membership in political and social parties and groups for two years. UN human rights experts expressed concern about the deteriorating health condition of Arash Sadeghi, who was imprisoned at that time, and called for his immediate release from prison. Arash Sadeghi has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned in Iran due to his activities in defense of human rights.