Mashallah Karami, Father of a Protester, Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Asset Seizure by the Islamic Revolutionary Court

Ali Sharifzadeh Ardekan, the lawyer of Mashallah Karami, the father of a protester, announced on Saturday, May 25, that his client has been sentenced to 6 years in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary Court. He wrote on the social media platform 'X': 'Mashallah Karami has been sentenced to 6 years in prison and asset seizure, which was acquired through public donations, for conspiracy and propaganda activities.' Mr. Sharifzadeh Ardekan added: 'The Revolutionary Court does not have the authority to issue an asset seizure ruling considering the handling of two other charges in the Criminal Court 2. The ruling has legal flaws, and we will appeal it.' He did not provide further details. Previously, on May 22, Mr. Karami's defense lawyer had written on 'X': 'The fraud charge is not correct, and two charges of money laundering and acquiring property through illegitimate means are currently being processed in Criminal Court 2 of Nazarabad, and no ruling has been issued.' Mashallah Karami, the father of Mohammad Mahdi Karami, a executed protester, was arrested on August 22 last year, and government agents confiscated all his electronic devices and blocked his family's bank cards. Mohammad Mahdi Karami was executed on January 7, 2023, for allegedly killing a member of the Basij named Rouhollah Ajamian during the nationwide 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests that began in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police. Ali Sharifzadeh Ardekan had previously assessed the court session for Mashallah Karami on April 23 positively, stating that after eight months of his client's detention, he had found a 'suitable opportunity for defense' and that 'the judge listened to our arguments.' This court session was held to address two charges: 'propaganda against the regime' and 'conspiracy and collusion against national security' in Mashallah Karami's case. According to reports, during Mashallah Karami's detention, his family faced repeated harassment from the Islamic Republic's security forces. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the actions of the intelligence and judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic for exerting pressure on plaintiffs and the families of those who died in the nationwide protests. The lawyer for Mashallah Karami, the father of the executed protester, stated: 'My client's ruling has not yet been communicated.' The lawyer added: 'Finally, my client had a chance to defend himself in court.' The lawyer also reported: 'Objection to his temporary release was raised.' Continued pressure on the families of plaintiffs; the detention of Farzad Moazami Goudarzi has been extended for another month.