Mehdi Hashemi's Sentence Announced: Imprisonment, Fines, and Dismissal from Service

According to the spokesperson of the Judiciary and by the ruling of Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran, Mehdi Hashemi has been sentenced to imprisonment, fines, restitution, and dismissal from public service. As reported by ISNA, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei announced on Sunday, March 15, that 'the issued ruling has not yet become final' and 'there are legal constraints on providing details.' He stated, 'Regarding one part of the accusations against 'M.H.' [Mehdi Hashemi], based on Article 3 of the Law on Increasing Punishments for Bribery, Embezzlement, and Fraud, a sentence of imprisonment, fines, and dismissal has been issued.' Mr. Ejei further added, 'Also, regarding another accusation against the defendant, based on Note 2 of Article 5 of the same law, a sentence of imprisonment, fines, restitution, and dismissal has been issued.' Additionally, according to the spokesperson of the Judiciary, Mehdi Hashemi has also been sentenced to imprisonment concerning security issues. The Fars News Agency reports that 'according to hearsay,' Mehdi Hashemi has been sentenced to a total of '15 years' imprisonment due to three accusations in his case. Mohseni Ejei continued, stating that when the ruling becomes final, information will be provided about it, announcing: 'After the ruling is communicated to the defendant and his lawyers, there is a 20-day period to appeal the issued verdict, and if no appeal is made, the ruling will be considered final.' In this context, following the spokesperson's statements, one of Mehdi Hashemi's defense attorneys stated that 'according to the law, the verdict of my client's case must be communicated to us.' Vahid Abou-Maali, in an interview with ISNA, announced: 'The ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court has not yet been communicated to my client and his lawyers, and after it is communicated, we will appeal the issued verdict.' On the other hand, regarding the communication of Mehdi Hashemi's ruling, the Tasnim News Agency reported today, Sunday, March 15, that Mehdi Hashemi and his lawyers have refrained from attending the Revolutionary Court to receive the ruling. According to this news agency, if Mehdi Hashemi and his lawyers refuse to attend the court, the court's ruling will likely be communicated to his lawyer's office. Additionally, in another report, the Tabnak website stated that Mehdi Hashemi's summons to appear in court must be within three working days after the notice is seen, and today, March 15, is the last day of this deadline. Regarding Mehdi Hashemi's trial, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani recently denied all accusations against his son in an interview with Shargh newspaper, stating that he would 'appeal' any potential conviction of his son but would not 'fight' it. In this context, a while ago, Mahmoud Ali-Zadeh Tabatabai, another one of Mehdi Hashemi's lawyers, predicted that he would ultimately be acquitted. He stated that the 'main issue' of his client's case is Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani himself, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council, not Mehdi Hashemi. Mehdi Hashemi was arrested on October 24, 2012, after returning to Iran, where he was informed of the charges at the airport and subsequently introduced himself to the prosecutor's office. He was released on bail on December 17, 2012, after nearly three months of imprisonment. The first session of the trial of the son of the head of the Expediency Discernment Council was held on Saturday, July 31, in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Mogheiseh.