Exclusive | 'Fabricating Cases' Against a Civil Activist; Hamidreza Najafi: An Incompetent Government is Doomed to Destruction

Hamidreza Najafi, a civil activist in Markazi Province, told Voice of America that he was tried on Monday in the second branch of the Revolutionary Court in Arak and has been summoned to the third branch of this court for another case on September 17. This civil activist and entrepreneur from Shazand stated that the court session on Monday was held with the charge of 'inciting people to war and slaughter against each other' and mentioned that he must appear on September 17 for another case with the charge of 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic.' Hamidreza Najafi emphasized the pressures that the Islamic Republic exerts on the people of Iran, stating: 'In two months, they have created five cases against me.' He noted that the verdict of one of these courts, with the charge of 'spreading falsehoods,' was issued on September 4, resulting in a fine of '15 million tomans,' and that in the same case, the imprisoned lawyer Mohammad Najafi was sentenced to 'four months' in prison. He also mentioned that he has two more upcoming court sessions with charges of 'propaganda against the regime' and 'spreading falsehoods,' for which 'the date has not yet been announced.' This civil activist also emphasized in a video about the 'fabrication of cases' against him: 'The fate of the incompetent government and system is doomed to destruction. You imprisoned me through case fabrication or any other means, what comes next?' Hamidreza Najafi had previously stated in a video message: 'I have one life, and I would sacrifice it a thousand times for Iran!' Pressure on civil activists and protesters has increased simultaneously with intensified pressure on the families of the bereaved on the eve of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. In recent days, a source informed Voice of America that more than 30 civil activists in 'Shazand County and the city of Astaneh' in Markazi Province have been summoned to judicial authorities. According to available documents, some of these individuals are charged with 'effectively inciting' armed forces to 'rebellion and desertion.'