Amir Reisiyaan, the lawyer of Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to death, expressed concern over the hasty handling of his client's case in the Supreme Court, stating that some news has diminished hopes for the cancellation of the death sentence. On Tuesday, December 3, in an interview with the Emtedad website, Reisiyaan called for the Supreme Court's attention to 'solid evidence' that could overturn his client's death sentence. Pakhshan Azizi, a social worker and civil activist, was sentenced to death in early August by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, on charges of 'baghi' for 'membership in groups that have engaged in armed rebellion against the Islamic government.' She had previously worked as a social worker in Syrian Kurdistan, assisting refugees fleeing the war with ISIS. Regarding the latest status of his client's case, Reisiyaan stated that the case has been sent for appeal to the Supreme Court and is currently under review in one of its branches, with 'solid and verified evidence from official sources regarding his client's humanitarian and social work in the refugee camps of the ISIS war' submitted to the branch. However, the lawyer warned that 'despite the evidence presented to the Supreme Court, the news is not pleasant' and this has 'diminished hopes for Pakhshan Azizi's acquittal from the charge of baghi and the death penalty imposed on her.' Reisiyaan did not provide further details about these 'reports' but reminded that in 'numerous similar cases, such sentences have not been issued for those who did not participate in military activities.' In September, 26 human rights organizations condemned the death sentence for Pakhshan Azizi in a joint statement, deeming it 'a clear violation of human rights principles and standards.' In November, seven political prisoners who are fellow inmates of Pakhshan Azizi issued a statement condemning the death sentence for this civil activist and called for immediate action to save her.
Pakhshan Azizi's Lawyer Expresses Concern Over 'Unpleasant News' and Hasty Proceedings in Her Case
Pakhshan Azizi's lawyer, Amir Reisiyaan, is worried about the hasty proceedings in her death penalty case and reports suggesting a bleak outcome. Azizi, a social worker and civil rights activist, was sentenced for alleged membership in groups opposing the Iranian government. This case highlights ongoing human rights concerns in Iran, particularly regarding political prisoners.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Pakhshan Azizi's lawyer expressed concern over the swift proceedings in her death penalty case, fearing a negative outcome despite evidence supporting her humanitarian work.
- Azizi was sentenced to death for alleged membership in anti-government groups.
- Her case is under review by the Supreme Court, with concerns about the fairness of the process.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's judiciary has faced criticism for its handling of political cases, often accused of lacking transparency and fairness.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%