Mohsen Barahani, Lawyer, Arrested on Charges of 'Spreading Falsehoods to Disturb Public Opinion'

Following the conclusion of the government voting in Iran, Mohsen Barahani, a suspended law professor and one of the supporters of participating in this event, was arrested on Sunday on charges including 'spreading falsehoods to disturb public opinion.' Several lawyers reported Barahani's arrest on social media on Sunday, July 17, and his brother, Ahmad Barahani, also confirmed the arrest. Ahmad Barahani wrote on Instagram that his brother was 'finally arrested after many ups and downs and despite remaining issues in the case.' The Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, also announced that Mohsen Barahani, who 'had previously been convicted in a judicial case and whose sentence had been finalized, was summoned for the execution of the court's legal ruling and was introduced to prison.' Mohsen Barahani had previously been accused of 'spreading falsehoods to disturb public opinion, behaving contrary to the dignity of the clergy by insulting judges and clergy, and propaganda against the regime,' from which he was reportedly acquitted of the last charge. This lawyer was among those who recently encouraged citizens on social media to participate in the government voting in favor of one of the candidates favored by the Islamic Republic; for instance, after the announcement of Masoud Pezeshkian as the elected head of the government, he wrote on X: 'And thus, God saved Iran and Iranians.' Some users, referring to his recent positions, stated that 'Mohsen Barahani, one of those who voted to prevent the situation from worsening, was arrested.' Others pointed to his efforts to free those arrested during the nationwide protests of 2021 and his positions regarding the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests. Mr. Barahani was one of the critics of the execution of protesters related to the nationwide protests of 2021 and had criticized the attribution of charges of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God) and 'ifsad fil arz' (corruption on earth) to the protesters and the issuance of death sentences for them, as well as objecting to the broadcasting of 'forced confessions.'