Four Writers and Journalists to Be Tried in Abadan Revolutionary Court

A trial session for several journalists and writers from Abadan will be held on Wednesday, March 6, at the Islamic Revolutionary Court of this city. In this session, Kourosh Kermpour, Mandana Sadeghi, Arash Qaleh Golab, and Reza Mohammadi will be tried. According to official summons, these individuals must appear at the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Abadan at 10 AM on March 6. The charges against them include 'illegal gathering and creating widespread insecurity', 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic', and 'membership in opposition groups'. The notice also indicates that they are accused of 'collaborating' with media opposed to the Islamic Republic and 'publishing critical content on social media'. Previously, on August 10, 2024, human rights reports had indicated the summons of these journalists and writers to the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Abadan. Mandana Sadeghi, along with her husband Reza Mohammadi, along with Arash Qaleh Golab and Kourosh Kermpour, have been charged in connection with a case related to the nationwide protests of 2022. Ms. Sadeghi had previously been arrested by security forces at her home on October 19, 2022, along with her husband and transferred to Ahvaz. They were later released on bail. Arash Qaleh Golab was also arrested by security forces on June 25, 2022, during a mourning ceremony for the victims of the Metropol Abadan incident and was released after 11 days on bail. Earlier, in March 2022, Mandana Sadeghi was tried for 'propaganda against the regime' and Kourosh Kermpour for 'insulting the leadership and propaganda against the regime' in the criminal court of Ahvaz and were subsequently acquitted. The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Abadan has issued strict sentences in recent cases related to freedom of expression, raising concerns about the human rights situation in Iran. This judicial process continues as the human rights community is worried about increasing pressures on independent journalists and dissenting writers. The conviction of Hassan Bagherinia, a dismissed university professor, to more than 10 years in prison, and the letter from 17 human rights organizations indicate that the lives of Jaan Pakhshan Azizi and Varishe Moradi are in danger. Acceptance of retrial for three political prisoners in Iran. Daya Mina, a mother seeking justice, has been sentenced to prison and a fine.