Exclusive; Revolutionary Court Sentences Lawyer to Imprisonment, Exile, and Social Rights Deprivation

The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Khosrow Ali-Kordi, a lawyer, to one year in prison, two years of exile, and deprivation of social rights, attributing the charges to 'propaganda activities against the regime.' Khosrow Ali-Kordi, who has represented some political prisoners and the families of victims during the nationwide protests of 2022, detailed the ruling in a video message to Voice of America on December 7. He stated that he appeared in court based on a summons issued by the first branch of the Revolutionary Court, where the presiding judge, Hadi Mansouri, communicated the charges of 'propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic in favor of opposition groups.' According to the 20-page ruling, Ali-Kordi was sentenced to 'one year in prison, two years of exile to the city of Nehbandan, two years of travel ban, two years of prohibition from practicing law, and two years of prohibition from participating in social media and online platforms.' Ali-Kordi emphasized that his acceptance of cases for the families of victims from last year's protests, including Abolfazl Adinehzadeh and Erfan Rezaei Novayi, as well as representing Fatemeh Sepehri and her brothers Mohammad Hossein and Hossein Sepehri, were the main reasons the judge deemed the charges 'provable.' The judge's emphasis in the ruling was primarily on Ali-Kordi's interviews with foreign media and his comments on social media. The human rights lawyer added, 'The only evidence the judge relied on for the heavy sentences of imprisonment, exile, prohibition from practicing law, and deprivation of social rights was merely my comments in social media and online platforms, nothing else.' Ali-Kordi also stressed, 'Everything I have done in accepting the representation of protesters and the families of victims and political prisoners has been solely in accordance with the nature of the noble profession of law and in line with my professional duties.' He stated, 'Individuals cannot be accused of propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic in favor of opposition groups merely for seeking justice and commenting on the status of clients and political prisoners.' Pressure on lawyers and legal experts by the Islamic Republic has increased following the nationwide protests of 2022. In addition to the arrest of several lawyers and the formation of legal cases against other legal experts, Sina Yousafi, a lawyer, previously told Voice of America that security and judicial protection agencies of the Islamic Republic are attempting to dissolve the human rights commission of the bar associations in Iran, threatening the 'danger of dissolution' of these associations.