Human Rights Watch: 24 Protesters Sentenced in 'Unfair Trials' in Iran

On Monday, November 5, Human Rights Watch announced that Iran's judiciary has sentenced at least 24 protesters, who were arrested during the protests this summer, to prison terms ranging from six months to six years based on 'vague national security charges.' This human rights organization states that these protesters were convicted in 'unfair trials.' HRW's statement noted that these individuals were among over 50 people arrested on August 2 (Thursday, July 11) during protests in Tehran regarding economic conditions and corruption. Protests erupted on August 9, 2023, following the collapse of the rial, Iran's national currency, against foreign currencies and an unprecedented rise in gold prices in Iranian markets. Although the initial slogans during these protests focused on economic demands, as the demonstrations continued, protesters began chanting against the Supreme Leader, the government, and clerics. Michael Page, Deputy Director for the Middle East at HRW, stated, 'Iranian government officials regularly promote to the world that ongoing protests in the country indicate the existence of real freedoms in Iran, while these very protesters remain in prison for years.' The Deputy Director added, 'The prosecution of peaceful protesters only adds to the simmering discontent of Iranians regarding their situation.' HRW, citing informed sources, reported that the prosecutor charged these protesters with 'gathering and colluding against national security' through 'participating in an unauthorized protest disrupting public order.' The organization stated, 'In the verdicts of at least two individuals, including 19-year-old Saba Kord Afshari, the evidence presented by the prosecutors was merely their social media posts reporting on the protests.' HRW also noted that prosecutors and prison officials denied detainees access to lawyers during interrogation and trial and pressured them to accept the charges. HRW also referenced the killing of Reza Outadi during protests in Karaj, stating that Iranian authorities have yet to publish their findings on this matter. The prosecutor in Karaj previously stated that Reza Outadi was shot from behind by a weapon among 'the protesters.' Iranian officials have not accepted responsibility for the deaths of most protesters killed during the protests of 2009, January 2018, and other similar cases, consistently attributing the shootings to 'unknown individuals,' 'agents of Western security services,' and individuals among the protesters themselves.