Judiciary's Response to Criticism of Two Judicial Verdicts; Half of Hajipour's 'Prison Sentence' Suspended; Appeal Process for Borhani's Verdict Completed

The judiciary of the Islamic Republic has recently responded to the sentences issued against Shervin Hajipour and Mohsen Borhani, announcing that Borhani's verdict has been upheld in the appeals court and half of Hajipour's 'prison sentence' has been 'suspended.' According to a statement from the media center of the judiciary, which has been reported by Iranian news agencies, Borhani's case was examined in the special court for clergy due to his 'clergy status' and has gone through the appeal process in the first branch of the special clergy appeals court. Based on this statement, the appeals court acquitted Borhani of some charges while finding him guilty of others. He has filed a request for retrial, which was rejected after review and the appeals court's ruling was upheld. Mohsen Borhani, a suspended law professor, was arrested on Sunday, July 8, on charges including 'spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion' and sent to prison. The judiciary's news agency, Mizan, announced on the same day that Borhani, who 'had previously been convicted in a judicial case and his sentence was final, was summoned for the execution of the court's legal ruling and introduced to prison.' Borhani had previously been accused of 'spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion, behaving contrary to the dignity of the clergy by insulting judges and clergy, and propaganda against the regime,' from which he was reportedly acquitted of the last charge. Regarding the court ruling against Shervin Hajipour, the judiciary stated that after his appeal against the primary court's ruling, 'this objection was reviewed' and due to what was deemed inappropriate supplementary punishments mentioned in the primary court's ruling concerning 'the condition of the accused and society,' they were annulled, and half of the 'maximum prison sentence' was also 'suspended.' Last week, Shervin Hajipour, a protesting singer, announced that he must introduce himself to prison in a few days to serve his sentence of 3 years and 8 months for producing the song 'Baraye.' He stated that the travel ban included in the primary ruling had been lifted in the appeal ruling. In this context, Asghar Jahangir, the judiciary spokesperson, also said in his press conference today that 'the individual in question has not submitted any requests for retrial from the Supreme Court so far, either personally or through his lawyers' and emphasized that 'if he regrets and wants to act through retrial or the powers of the head of the judiciary, there is space for that; if no request is made, the ruling will be executed.' Hajipour, in a post on his Instagram page, mentioned that he received a notice to introduce himself to prison, stating that his charge was 'inciting people to slaughter and war,' and he questioned, 'Which line of the poem incited people to slaughter?' He expressed hope that his prison sentence would be overturned in the appeals court, but this did not happen, adding, 'We are currently trying for a retrial and taking other possible legal steps to avoid going to prison.' The enforcement of sentences against civil, social, and political activists has faced significant criticism in recent months. Human rights organizations and the United Nations consider such rulings to violate the right to freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights, calling for a halt to the issuance and enforcement of such rulings.