Government Pressure on Lawyers; Mehdi Shakibafar Sentenced to Imprisonment for 'Propaganda Against the Regime and Insulting' Khamenei

Mehdi Shakibafar, a lawyer and member of the Central Province Bar Association, was sentenced to 22 months in prison by Branch 9 of the Court of Appeals on charges of 'propaganda against the regime, dissemination of falsehoods, and insulting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.' According to HRANA, this lawyer had previously been acquitted of the charges in the lower court, but his case was reopened following an objection from the prosecutor's office, arguing that 'his acquittal would embolden him.' This lawyer, who has represented human rights cases and defended political defendants, was sentenced to 15 months and one day for 'insulting the Supreme Leader' and to seven months and sixteen days for 'propaganda against the regime,' totaling 22 months and 17 days of imprisonment. The Dadban Lawyers Group mentioned six other imprisoned lawyers and human rights defenders facing similar charges. Mohsen Barahani, a suspended law professor, was arrested during the government elections to replace Ebrahim Raisi on charges including 'dissemination of falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion.' Mohsen Barahani was one of the critics of the execution of protesters related to the nationwide protests of 2022 and had also criticized the attribution of charges of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God) and 'efsad fil arz' (corruption on earth) to the protesters and the issuance of death sentences against them, as well as the airing of 'forced confessions.' Simultaneously, Amir Salar Davoodi, another lawyer currently in Evin prison, emphasized in a message the boycott of the 'government elections,' stating that 'I did not and will not participate in this election, read appointments.' Amir Salar Davoodi, Taher Naqvi, Arash Keykhosravi, Mohammad Najafi, Khosrow Alikordi, and Mohsen Barahani, facing various charges such as 'dissemination of falsehoods,' 'behavior contrary to the dignity of the clergy,' and 'propaganda activities against the regime,' have not only endured imprisonment but have also been deprived of their right to practice law in some cases. Morteza Ismailpour stated that the arrest of Mohsen Barahani is a 'warning' from the Islamic Republic to voters. More than 50 political prisoners in Evin are on hunger strike in protest against the death sentence of Sharifeh Mohammadi.