Director General of the Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry: We are planning for Moein's return to Iran; a lawyer: He faces 28 years in prison

Continuing the media rumors and the Islamic Republic's efforts to encourage people to participate in the upcoming elections, the assistant to the Foreign Minister and the Director General of the Supreme Council for Iranians Abroad claimed: "We are preparing and planning this matter with various institutions, and good news is on the way." Abdullah Sohrabi, in an interview with 'Shahrvand' network, added: "Regarding Moein and other individuals, we are looking for maximum engagement, while no one can tell an Iranian not to come to Iran, and the fears and concerns of Iranians abroad about traveling to Iran are unrealistic and stem from the propaganda of hostile media." The discussion about Moein's return to Iran intensified after Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili, the Minister of Culture of the Islamic Republic, responded to a question about the return of artists like 'Nasrollah Moein Najafabadi' during the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, January 10, stating: "His presence in Iran poses no problem and will be conducted according to the law. Any action taken regarding any individual will be done according to the law. The next step is to allow activities, but their presence in Iran poses no problem." However, Mohsen Barahani, a lawyer, reacted to the Minister of Culture's statements regarding Moein's possible return by writing on his account on 'X': "The Minister of Culture said that Moein can return to Iran; this is correct from one aspect; according to Iranian law, no Iranian citizen can be banned from entry, but the arrest of a person at the airport or subsequent exit bans or work bans are not related to free entry." Mohsen Barahani also added: "Based on Articles 500, 508, 610, 639, and 745 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution, if Moein returns to Iran, at least 28 years of imprisonment awaits this artist." Nasrollah Moein, a well-known Iranian singer living abroad, has not yet commented on these news and rumors, but Hassan Shamaizadeh wrote on his 'X' page on January 12, a few days after these discussions arose: "Tonight, my dear friend and colleague Moein called me, and during our conversation, we discussed his invitation to Iran. He said yes, such discussions have taken place, but an official has stated that according to this article and that article, I must go to prison for 28 years." The whispers of inviting Iranian singers living abroad first emerged during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, guided by his deputy Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei. In this context, Habib Mohammadian returned to Iran with colorful promises, but throughout his time in Iran until his death, he was never allowed any artistic activity, and in the end, he was buried in a village in Ramsar, opposing the burial of the 'Lonely Man of the Night' in Tehran.