Continued Pressure on Families of Protest Victims; Father of Sarina Saeidi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

In the ongoing government pressure on the families of those killed in nationwide protests, the father of a deceased protester has been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging, and the family of Aida Rostami, a doctor killed during the protests, reported government interference in holding her birthday ceremony. Hashim Saeidi, the father of Sarina Saeidi, a teenager killed in the protests in Sanandaj, announced on his Instagram page that he has been sentenced to six and a half months in prison and 40 lashes. Sarina Saeidi, a 16-year-old girl, was injured during the protests in Sanandaj on October 25 and died a day later in the hospital. Hashim Saeidi wrote, 'Our only crime was going to the graves of the victims in Boukan.' He was among the grieving families who were arrested by security forces in June after visiting the graves of several victims of the nationwide protests at the Aichi cemetery in Saqez. In another post, Hashim Saeidi emphasized that he is not afraid of prison and lashes and that these actions will not deter him from seeking justice for his child. Meanwhile, Aida Rostami's brother reported security pressures to prevent the celebration of his sister's birthday. Aida Rostami, a doctor treating protesters during the nationwide protests, died under suspicious circumstances last December. Armin Rostami, in a post on his Instagram, referred to Aida's birthday on July 16, calling her a 'martyr of honor' and described commemorating her as 'a threat to national security.' He urged the medical community and the public to help needy patients and working children in memory of his sister. In recent weeks, several families of protest victims have been arrested and faced charges such as 'propaganda against the regime.' Recently, the father and sister of Abolfazl Adinehzadeh, a teenager killed in the protests in Mashhad, were arrested just before Abolfazl's birthday and accused of 'propaganda against the regime.' Some experts believe that the Iranian government is trying to silence any dissenting voices through intimidation and violence as the anniversary of the nationwide protests approaches. Recently, Taghi Rahmani, a former political prisoner, emphasized in an interview with VOA that the Iranian government intends to confront all centers of protests, including Friday prayers in Zahedan, student activists, and the Iranian Teachers' Association, to stifle their voices.