Davood Mahdian, Retired Teacher, Summoned to Revolutionary Court by IRGC Intelligence in Malayer

Human rights sources reported the summoning and trial of Davood Mahdian, a retired teacher, at the Revolutionary Court in Malayer. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, the IRGC intelligence in Malayer has filed a complaint against this retired teacher on the charge of 'propaganda against the regime.' The report states that the basis for the accusation against Davood Mahdian relates to his Instagram posts criticizing cultural and social issues in Iran's current situation. No news has yet been published regarding the verdict of the Revolutionary Court in Malayer concerning Davood Mahdian. Amnesty International recently released a report on the intensification of restrictions on freedom of expression, increased repression of women, and the use of torture and executions by the Islamic Republic in the past year. According to this human rights organization, Iranian government officials have severely suppressed fundamental freedoms by resorting to illegal coercive powers and unfair trials of activists, journalists, and critics in order to silence protests. The U.S. Department of State also emphasized the worsening human rights violations in Iran in its annual report on the international human rights situation for the year 2023, published on April 22. The report mentions an 11-year prison sentence and exile for a teacher in Sanandaj, as well as the refusal of Sepidar prison officials in Ahvaz to provide treatment for 'Najaat Anvarhamidi.' Additionally, there are reports of disciplinary actions against teachers, including the suspension of a teacher's service and the denial of medical leave for Azizeh Qasemzadeh, indicating that teachers continue to face pressure.