Court Ruling on Mohammad Jamehbozorg, Victim of Nationwide Protests

While the court handling the case of Mohammad Jamehbozorg, a victim of the nationwide protests, has issued a death sentence for one Basij member, imprisonment or fines for three other Basij and IRGC members, and acquitted seven other IRGC and Basij members, the family's lawyer has attributed the 'catastrophe and heartbreaking death of the citizen' to 'a series of negligence and failure to adhere to regulations by the unit commander.' Payam Darfashan, the lawyer for Jamehbozorg's family, stated in an interview with the news website 'Emtidad' that the ruling from the fifth branch of the military court in Tehran was communicated to the lawyers and plaintiffs on January 10, which states that 'the first defendant, the shooter with a firearm who committed murder, has been sentenced to qisas (retribution) and consequently to death.' An informed source told the Persian section of Voice of America that the first defendant is a Basij member. According to Payam Darfashan, the second defendant, who was the 'field commander' and 'squad leader of the second group,' has been sentenced to imprisonment due to 'illegal orders to enter violently' without adhering to relevant regulations for reducing punishment. The second defendant is identified as a member of the IRGC. Regarding the third defendant, who is also a Basij member according to the informed source, he was the 'squad leader of the first group' and was sentenced to pay a fine after mitigating circumstances and expressions of remorse were established. Darfashan also mentioned that the tenth defendant in the case, who 'spread and exaggerated false news,' was sentenced to imprisonment, with the court emphasizing that regulations for reducing punishment could not be applied to this individual. The tenth defendant is identified as a Basij member and a member of the IRGC. Darfashan noted that the ruling for the eleventh defendant, identified as a reporter, stated that the individual, who 'attempted to prepare and reflect news to the commander’s office... was acquitted because the court did not find malicious intent in his actions.' In his interview with 'Emtidad,' the lawyer discussed the charge of 'violent entry' against seven other defendants, stating that the court issued acquittals for these individuals due to the lack of established malicious intent and the fact that other forces had been convinced by the field commander that there was an order to enter the home. Darfashan also mentioned that the case against the unit commander is being handled separately in the fourth branch of the Tehran military appeals court, with a hearing scheduled for January 17. The lawyer also argued that the 'series of negligence and failure to adhere to regulations by the unit commander' was the reason for the 'catastrophe and heartbreaking death of the citizen, as well as the basis for retribution, execution, imprisonment, and casualties among the forces under his command,' emphasizing that as a result, 'both citizens and military personnel have been harmed by the unit commander.' Mohammad Reza Moghadam, another lawyer in the case, stated that 'in the event of an appeal by the defendants, they are obliged to defend their conviction and request an increase in the duration of the sentences issued against the convicts, and based on the requests of the honorable clients regarding the acquittals, appeals will also be filed within the legal timeframe.' Security forces attacked the home of Mohammad Jamehbozorg, 59, in Malard at dawn on September 24, 2022, shooting him in the eyes with a shotgun, killing him. During last year's nationwide protests, at least 500 people were killed, and thousands more were injured or detained. However, until now, except in a few rare cases, no court has been held to prosecute those responsible for the killings, injuries, and torture of protesters. According to the annual report from Human Rights Watch, the Iranian government continues its 'oppressive crackdown.' Eight protesters in Ilam province were sentenced to a total of 64 years in prison. Lawyer Mahdi Yarahai reported the issuance of prison and flogging sentences for this artist. Exclusive: Atena Hajimohammadi reported experiencing the most unsafe conditions in 'security police.' Roya Hashemi, an opponent of compulsory hijab, received 74 lashes for 'offending public morality.' Exclusive: The Revolutionary Court in Qazvin sentenced Syrian Babaei Chaghini, a jailed protester, to an additional 7 months in prison. A warning has been issued regarding the 'imminent execution' of a protester; Reza Rasayi's case has been sent to 'execution of sentences.' Ashkan Saadatmehr, one of the detainees from the 2022 protests, was sentenced in absentia to 7 years in prison. The case of the murder of Mohammad Jamehbozorg, one of the victims of the protests, is being reviewed in a military court.