Existence of 'Fundamental Problems and Defects' in the 'Ekbatan Town' Case; 4 Individuals to be Tried for 'Moharebeh'

Payam Darafshan, one of the lawyers representing the detainees in the 'Ekbatan Town' case, has reported that four of the detainees have been charged with 'Moharebeh' (waging war against God). According to the website Didban on Saturday, February 17, Darafshan mentioned fundamental problems and defects in this case and stated that the Revolutionary Court is set to try Milad Arman, Mohammad Mahdi Hosseini, Mehdi Imani, and Navid Najaran, who are imprisoned in Qazal Hesar prison in Karaj, under the charge of Moharebeh. Meanwhile, Milad Arman, the first defendant, has denied the charge of Moharebeh and explicitly stated that he has never possessed any weapons, whether cold or hot. Four others among the eight defendants in this case, named Hossein Nemat, Alireza Barmarzpournak, Alireza Kafayi, and Amir Mohammad Khosh-eqbal, were released on bail earlier this month. These eight individuals have been accused of 'participation in the murder' of a Basij force named 'Arman Ali-Vardi'. Payam Darafshan, explaining how security agencies exert pressure on the judges of the Revolutionary Court, stated that the agents of these agencies tie their reports to sensitive issues such as 'the reputation of martyrs and the regime' and claim that 'they are part of the country's security structure, so their reports cannot be wrong.' Reports indicate that the defendants in this case have been subjected to severe torture during their detention and forced to confess against themselves and other defendants. Darafshan also criticized the 'promotion or salary increase' of security agents due to the sentences issued against the defendants, stating: 'Agents should not receive promotions or salary increases based on the sentences issued.' This lawyer further added that 'if reports lead to heavy sentences' and agents are 'rewarded', it creates a precedent that reports must be tailored for severe sentences. Many political and civil activists believe that the sentences issued by judges of the Islamic Republic of Iran are 'pre-determined' and occur under pressure from security agencies. Shakila Monfared, a political prisoner, recently criticized the issuance of a 'pre-determined' sentence against her in a letter, referring to Eman Afshari, the judge who issued this sentence, as a 'signature machine for the IRGC intelligence'. The last court session regarding the so-called 'Ekbatan Town' case has been held. The second court session addressing the charges against the eight defendants in the so-called 'Ekbatan Town' case has been held. A case with 'numerous fundamental defects'; the court for the defendants in the 'Ekbatan Town' case has been held. The court session for the defendants in the so-called 'Ekbatan Town' case is scheduled for October 7.