Arrest of Reza Khandan for a Closed Case; Nasrin Sotoudeh: It is Illegal

Reza Khandan, a political activist, was arrested on Friday, December 23, for the enforcement of a sentence related to a case from 2018, by the police at his home. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent Iranian lawyer and Khandan's wife, told Voice of America that he was detained by security police officers from the 138th precinct in Jannatabad. According to Ms. Sotoudeh, the officers initially told her husband that he needed to come to the precinct to explain a traffic violation, but upon insistence, they were forced to show a summons for the enforcement of a ruling related to six years ago. Ms. Sotoudeh further stated that this ruling pertains to a joint case formed against Reza Khandan and Farhad Mishtami. She noted that they were sentenced to six years in prison, five of which were enforceable. She added that Reza Khandan was released after serving four months in prison. Farhad Mishtami was also released after about four and a half years of imprisonment following the Mahsa Amini movement in February 2023. Ms. Sotoudeh said that given the existence of some documents, the case against Reza Khandan and Farhad Mishtami had been closed. She continued that they were pardoned without submitting a request, but now this case has been reopened and an arrest warrant has been issued. According to Ms. Sotoudeh, this prison sentence was due to the production of badges titled 'I protest against compulsory hijab,' and Reza Khandan and Farhad Mishtami received a total of 10 years of enforceable imprisonment. She added that this is a significant image of violence against women and men, showing how Iranian men stand alongside Iranian women, as they also understand that freedom and democracy depend on respecting human rights, especially women's rights. Ms. Sotoudeh stated that legally, a closed case cannot be reopened, but the problem is that the closure of the case was not formally communicated to Reza Khandan. She added that the closure document for the case of Reza Khandan and Farhad Mishtami is available and visible on news websites. Ms. Sotoudeh mentioned that after Reza Khandan's arrest, she went to the precinct with an acquaintance but was prevented from entering due to her improper hijab and was asked to wear a chador or scarf. She further stated that she refused this condition and therefore could not enter the precinct, waiting outside for her companion to enter the building. According to Ms. Sotoudeh, Reza Khandan is detained and will be taken to Evin Prosecutor's Office on Saturday for the enforcement of a ruling that should not be enforced. Nasrin Sotoudeh and Sedigheh Vosoughi described the hijab law as a 'ridiculous show.' The European Parliament: Discriminatory laws against women and girls in Iran should be repealed. A proposed resolution in the European Parliament against the increasing repression of women in Iran. Support for the 'Black Tuesdays' campaign in a virtual meeting against the death penalty. A letter to the European Parliament; Nasrin Sotoudeh expressed concern about the situation of Ahmadreza Jalali, a prisoner at risk of execution. Nine prominent Iranian political activists condemned compulsory hijab and discrimination against women in Iran.