Exclusive; Charges of 'Financial Support for Anti-Revolutionary Elements' Explained to Asadollah Fakhimi and Houri Khanpour

Asadollah Fakhimi and Houri Khanpour, a civil activist couple, were temporarily released after posting a one billion toman bail following the explanation of charges against them at the Evin Prosecutor's Office. According to a report received by Voice of America on Sunday, November 5, Fakhimi and Khanpour are facing 'serious charges' and have been informed that they could be sentenced to 'five years in prison.' The couple was confronted by agents of the Islamic Republic's repression forces at their home on July 9, where some personal items, including their electronic devices, were confiscated. On November 5, they were again informed of charges including 'conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security, financial support for anti-revolutionary elements, and participation in anti-revolutionary ceremonies and gatherings of security convicts' at Branch 1 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office. After posting a 'one billion toman bail,' they were released from Evin Prison until their court hearing. This couple of human rights activists had been summoned to Branch 1 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office the previous week. Additionally, on November 7, coinciding with the commemoration of Cyrus the Great, Asadollah Fakhimi, along with several civil activists and advocates, including Mohammad Seifzadeh, the vice president of the Human Rights Defenders Association, visited the father of Narges Mohammadi in Zanjan and presented him with the Charter of Cyrus the Great. Javid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, has stated that the situation of human rights violations in Iran will not change until fundamental freedoms are guaranteed by law. Previously, Michelle Taylor, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council, also criticized the 'blatant disregard of the Iranian regime for human rights and freedom of expression.'