First Deputy of the Judiciary: Islamic Clemency Has No Meaning Regarding Narges Mohammadi's Sentence

The First Deputy of Iran's Judiciary responded to the request of several members of parliament for the annulment of the sentence and a re-examination of Narges Mohammadi's case, stating that Islamic clemency in this matter 'has no meaning' and that parliament members do not have the 'authority for this request' according to the law. According to ISNA news agency, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on Sunday, October 25, that based on Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code, it must be determined who has made the request for the Chief Justice's intervention in a case. He added, 'According to the law, parliament members do not have the authority for this request.' Ejei also emphasized that after a final ruling is issued, 'Islamic clemency and other matters have no meaning unless the individual can change the conditions through pardon and conditional release in the future.' He stated, 'If someone intends to cooperate or repents, the court can consider these matters in reducing the punishment based on the severity, type of crime, and the manner of cooperation and remorse.' A number of Iranian parliament members had sent a letter to the Chief Justice on October 25, referring to the issues raised in the ruling issued for Narges Mohammadi, the imprisoned Vice President of the Human Rights Defenders Center, and citing Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code, they requested the annulment of Ms. Mohammadi's sentence and a re-examination of her case in a parallel branch. However, Ejei stated that according to Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Chief Justice's intervention in a case is only possible if he finds that there has been a 'contradiction to Sharia' in the case. Previously, the Attorney General of Iran had criticized the letter from parliament members regarding Narges Mohammadi, calling the signatories individuals who, according to him, 'act unknowingly and out of ignorance and negligence.' Mohammad Jafar Montazeri said, 'If these actions are done out of ignorance, it is a calamity for society and the system, and if done intentionally, it is a great calamity for society.' Narges Mohammadi was sentenced in May to five years in prison for 'collusion and conspiracy to commit a crime against national security,' one year for 'propaganda against the regime,' and ten years for 'forming and managing an illegal group called Legam.' According to the Human Rights Defenders Center, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals confirmed this ruling and stated that under the implementation of Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment of ten years in prison will be enforced for Narges Mohammadi. The Human Rights Defenders Center had called on Saturday, October 24, for 'global solidarity' and urged that no effort be spared to help free Narges Mohammadi. Additionally, the spokesperson for the Judiciary announced on Sunday that eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the Teachers' Cultural Fund and Bank Sarmayeh case. Ejei stated that investigations into this case are ongoing, and after the investigations are completed, some individuals may be released on bail or new individuals may be arrested. This senior judicial official had also reported on Thursday, October 29, that Shahaboddin Ghandehli, the CEO of the Teachers' Cultural Fund, had been arrested. Previously, Hossein Maqsoudi, a representative from Sabzevar, had stated that he had access to a list of 14 suspects in this case, of which only the names of seven have been disclosed. This parliament member predicted that 'chain arrests' in this case would continue. According to Mahmoud Sadeghi, a representative from Tehran, this '8 trillion toman embezzlement' occurred during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Sadeghi stated that in 2013, when the fund was handed over to Rouhani's government, it was revealed that between 2007 and 2013, this fund had 'four trillion tomans of uncollectible assets.' He announced that this fund had lent '3.2 trillion tomans' to three individuals, but these loans had not been repaid. The Teachers' Cultural Fund has over 800,000 members affiliated with the Ministry of Education and pays annual interest on the monthly deposits of educators. The Bank 'Sarmayeh' is considered a subsidiary of this fund.