Lawyer of the Accused Reports: Overturning of Three Death Sentences for 'Javad Rouhi'

Majid Kaveh, the lawyer for Javad Rouhi, one of the detainees from last year, announced in an interview with the 'Shargh' network affiliated with Shargh newspaper that the decision of the advisor and deputy of the 9th branch of the Supreme Court has led to the overturning of his three death sentences. The Mizan news agency, the media outlet of the judiciary, claimed on Tuesday, January 20 of last year, that Javad Rouhi, a 35-year-old protester from Amol, was 'one of the main leaders' of the protests in Nowshahr on Sunday, December 20, 1401 (December 11, 2022). The term 'leader' was used by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic to label several protesters, accusing them of 'corruption on earth' and 'waging war against God,' resulting in death sentences for some of them. The accusations of 'corruption' and 'waging war' against Javad Rouhi were based on claims of 'disruption of public order and security, inciting some citizens to create insecurity, conspiracy to commit crimes against the internal security of the country, apostasy through disrespecting the Quran and burning it, and insulting sacred values.' In connection with his case, the Revolutionary Court of Sari attributed the claims of 'destruction and burning of the traffic police headquarters, government and military facilities, banks, and the municipality of Nowshahr,' which led to the death of 'five individuals and injuries to several officers,' to this young accused. Soleiman Vatan Doost, Javad Rouhi's appointed lawyer at that time, protested the issued verdict, emphasizing that the accused suffers from 'mental health issues' and 'did not participate in any arson or destruction' and 'is only present in the recorded images without participating in the actions.' Javad Rouhi's father also stated after the verdict was issued that he had only had one 'in-person meeting' with his son after the arrest and had no news of him 'either by phone or visit.' He emphasized that Javad 'has mental health issues' and called on the 'people of Iran' to stand in solidarity with him. Javad Rouhi's case was referred to the Supreme Court; another protester committed suicide after being released. The request for help from Javad Rouhi's father, another protester sentenced to death, highlights the increasing number of fatalities among protesters; the issuance of death sentences for protesters has accelerated. The issuance of a death sentence for another protester; Javad Rouhi's father addressed the 'people of Iran': 'Stand in solidarity with us.'