Masoumeh Yavari, Political Prisoner, Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison

The Revolutionary Court of Golpayegan in Isfahan province has sentenced Masoumeh Yavari, a political prisoner, to 13 years in prison. According to human rights sources, the charges against this political defendant include 'destruction of public property', 'membership in the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization', and 'propaganda against the regime'. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, if this sentence is upheld in the appeals court, the maximum punishment, equivalent to seven years in prison, will be enforceable. According to the news agency of the Human Rights Activists' Collective, HRANA, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence visited Masoumeh Yavari's home in Golpayegan on Tuesday, September 4, confiscating some of her and her family's personal belongings. About two weeks later, her 21-year-old son, Mohammad Mehdi Vosoughian, was arrested and spent about three months in prison on charges of 'propaganda against the regime', 'membership in opposition groups', and 'communication with a hostile government'. According to this report, Masoumeh Yavari suffers from diabetes and thyroid diseases and also has heart problems. Hengaw reports that Masoumeh Yavari has a history of previous arrests and convictions. She was also arrested during a protest gathering in Tehran in September 2009 and sentenced to seven years in prison for 'communication with the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization'. Recently, Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, described the human rights situation in Iran as a 'bitter reality' and stated that the policies of the Islamic Republic have led to significant restrictions on the people's right to participate in political and public spheres. Additionally, see: UN Special Rapporteur: The Islamic Republic should accept my recommendations instead of denying realities. Previously, Michelle Taylor, the US Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council, criticized the 'blatant disregard of the Iranian government for human rights and freedom of expression'. Intensified pressure on families seeking justice and the continued detention of citizens. Awarding the 'Courage Medal of Majid Reza Rahnavard' to Mashallah Karami and Fatemeh Sepehri in Canada. Exclusive: A political prisoner attempted suicide after rejecting a 'collaboration offer' from the IRGC; Zahra Sarv: I will stand against them with my life. Press conference of Iranian diaspora women in Geneva; Nazanin Afshin-Jam: Do not shake hands with the blood-stained hands of the Islamic Republic.