One-Year Imprisonment Sentence Issued for Political Activist in Mashhad on Charges of 'Instigating' Plaintiffs

A civil and political activist residing in Mashhad announced on Sunday, December 24, that he has been sentenced to one year in prison, along with a two-year travel ban and a two-year prohibition from social media activities by the Islamic Revolutionary Court. Amir Sheibani Zaveh stated in a video message published on Instagram that Hadi Mansouri, the judge of Branch One of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mashhad, sentenced him to 'one year of punitive imprisonment' and, with increased penalties, to 'two years of being banned from leaving the country and two years of being barred from social media.' He asserted that the Revolutionary Court 'convicted him with baseless arguments' and emphasized that he would 'take advantage of the opportunity for appeal.' Sheibani Zaveh, who has a history of arrests and imprisonment due to his civil activities in previous years, was arrested again during the nationwide protests of 2022. He spent one and a half months in the custody of the Intelligence Department and was subsequently transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. This political and civil activist was later released on bail and subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison by Branch Five of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mashhad, a punishment that was overturned in the appeal stage, leading to his acquittal of all charges. In the video he published, Sheibani Zaveh stated that after his acquittal in the previous case, judicial authorities opened a new case against him on charges of 'propaganda against the regime' due to his 'connections with the families of the deceased' and claimed that he had 'instigated' them through these connections. This political and civil activist rejected these accusations, emphasizing that the families of the plaintiffs 'have shed their children's blood' and do not need 'instigation' from civil activists, stating, 'We have been more alongside them to soothe their grief.' He also mentioned that 'wearing shorts in public' was another example cited in the charge of 'propaganda against the regime' in his case, adding, 'Considering that much more specific films come out from the director general of culture in Gilan, wearing shorts is nothing.' Sheibani Zaveh listed 'fleeing the country last year' as another item mentioned in the case and said that after the previous sentence was issued, he had taken an overseas trip, and his case was 'resolved in the appeal stage' and 'had not been pardoned.' He stated, 'I have never lost hope,' and despite the fact that the Islamic Republic authorities have taken 'his entire life' and 'still restrict him,' he added, 'You want to take away my right to live beyond your own law. I still laugh.' Amir Sheibani Zaveh also addressed citizens, emphasizing, 'I am one of my people, you are also one of the people, we gain power together, a power that they want to control by our absence, imprisoning us, and separating us.' The pressure from the Islamic Republic on plaintiffs and protesters in Iran continues. Additionally, see: Five charges against Mashallah Karami, the father of the plaintiffs, in court. In previous days, a source informed Voice of America that after judicial authorities in Lorestan arrested an environmental activist for 'planting a tree on the grave of Nika Shakeri,' unidentified individuals targeted his brother with six bullets in front of the central prison in Khorramabad. Also see: Exclusive; 'Six bullets' fired at the brother of the environmental activist who planted a tree on Nika Shakeri's grave. The latest status of Fatemeh Sepahri and increasing pressures on protesters in an interview with Khosrow Alikerdin. A human rights organization expresses concern about Fatemeh Sepahri's situation in prison; her life is in serious danger. The 'Courage Award of Majid Reza Rahnavard' was awarded to Mashallah Karami and Fatemeh Sepahri in Canada. Human rights violations in Iran; plaintiffs demand public attention with the hashtag 'Hear Our Voice.' Yashar Tabrizi under 'torture' by the IRGC; Zahra Saidiangou was deprived of her chosen lawyer. A source informed Voice of America: Zartosht Ahmadiraghab was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.