Message from Amirhossein Moradi and Ali Younesi on December 7: The Influence of Students Has Instilled Fear in the Government

Amirhossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, two imprisoned students, emphasized in a message on the occasion of "Student Day" in Iran that the Islamic Republic has created a "duality of fear and despair" in society for its survival, but that the "upcoming uprising" is imminent. On Thursday, December 7, they stated: "The Islamic Republic, in fear of another uprising, one that could continue until freedom is achieved, has resorted to widespread executions and arrests on one hand, and on the other, spreading a cloud of despair to perhaps survive a few more days in this duality of fear and despair in society." They described this action of the Islamic Republic as a "repetitive attempt" that failed to prevent subsequent uprisings during previous widespread protests in 1999, 2009, 2017, and 2019, asserting that "this time too, there is no escape from the upcoming uprising, which will arrive soon." The imprisoned students stressed that "students last year showed they are a significant part of the uprising and the transformations that followed" and that "today, as a young and aware demographic, they can put an end to doubts." According to them, the "potential and influential role of students" has instilled "fear in the government and sharpened the blade of repression against students and professors." Moradi and Younesi, recalling "Armita and Mahsa and all those who were executed or shot," described the actions of the Islamic Republic as a "45-year war against the people of Iran" that "will end with the achievement of freedom." Both students from Sharif University were sentenced to 16 years in prison each by the Islamic Revolutionary Court after their arrest on April 11, 2020, with 10 years of that sentence being enforceable. Aida Younesi, Ali Younesi's sister, stated to Voice of America after the issuance of these sentences that the ruling was determined by the Ministry of Intelligence rather than the judge of the case. International human rights organizations have repeatedly reacted to the continued detention of Amirhossein Moradi and Ali Younesi and the pressures on them to obtain forced confessions.