Omid Ghadimi, a Member of Victims' Families, Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison

The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Divandareh in Kurdistan Province sentenced Omid Ghadimi, brother of Foad Ghadimi and a member of the victims' families, to 40 months in prison and a monetary fine. According to the court's ruling, Mr. Ghadimi was sentenced to 32 months in prison for 'membership in the terrorist group Komala,' 8 months for 'propaganda against the regime,' and to pay a fine of 85 million rials for 'spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion.' Typically, the security and judicial apparatus of the Islamic Republic accuses critics, opponents, political activists, and victims' families of connections with opposing organizations. In this context, Omid Ghadimi rejected the charges against him on his Instagram page, stating: 'I have said a thousand times and I will say it again, I am connected to no one and do not take orders from anyone. I am solely seeking justice for my brother's blood.' He also mentioned that 10 months of his prison sentence is enforceable. In the ruling of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Divandareh, two-thirds of Omid Ghadimi's punishment has been suspended for one year. Omid Ghadimi was arrested by government agents on September 7, 2023, and released on bail on December 25. His brother, Foad Ghadimi, was killed during nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini while in the custody of the morality police in September 2022 due to a gunshot. The 'harassment' of the families of those who died in the nationwide protests of 2022 has been repeatedly criticized by human rights organizations. The UN fact-finding committee also accused the Islamic Republic of 'committing serious human rights violations' and 'crimes against humanity' during the 'violent suppression of peaceful protests and widespread discrimination against women and girls' in its first report on March 9 last year. The New Year message from Reza Salmanzadeh, a prisoner seeking justice, from Qezel Hesar prison: 2024 is the year of seeking justice until liberation. The birth of Foad Ghadimi, one of the victims of the protests in Divandareh; 'Brother, after you, we have no more wishes.' Human rights violations in Iran; victims' families have called for public attention with the hashtag 'Hear Our Voices.' Omid and Zahra Saidiangoo, members of a victims' family, have been summoned to the Revolutionary Court of Izeh.