Pressure on Cultural Activists in Iran; Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz Summons Three Teachers

News sources reported the summoning of Peyrooz Nami, Siamak Sadeghi Chehraz, and Ali Kouroshati, teachers from Khuzestan, to the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz. The Telegram channel of the Coordinating Council of Cultural Associations of Iran announced in a report that these teacher activists have been arrested multiple times since 2021 due to fabricated cases by the IRGC and have faced new judicial cases each time. It was stated that despite a judicial order, their communication devices and personal belongings confiscated during their arrest have not been returned. The Coordinating Council of Cultural Associations also reported on June 17, 2023, that 11 Khuzestani teachers were summoned to the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, including these three individuals. According to reports, on December 8, 2023, Branch 21 of the Ahvaz Court of Appeals issued a decision to dismiss the prosecution of Peyrooz Nami, a teacher activist. This occurred while the Islamic Revolutionary Court and the criminal court of Ahvaz had separately sentenced Mr. Nami to imprisonment and fines. The Coordinating Council of Cultural Associations reported that this teacher activist was detained twice by IRGC agents, once for 24 days and another time for 21 days. The council also reported on January 19 of the previous year that Siamak Sadeghi Chehraz, a teacher activist from Khuzestan, had received a summons to Branch 113 of the Ahvaz Criminal Court. According to the summons, this activist must appear on April 28, 2024, to defend against charges of 'inciting or provoking people to war and killing each other with the intent to disrupt national security,' 'propaganda against the regime,' 'membership in a group or association aimed at disrupting national security,' 'gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security,' and 'spreading falsehoods,' and must appear again on April 15 in court. Reports indicate that Ali Kouroshati was also tried on June 18 along with 10 other teachers on charges of 'propaganda against the regime and membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security.' Last year, the IRGC Intelligence Organization of Khuzestan Province had formed two cases with multiple security and non-security charges against 11 teachers, including this teacher. The case against these individuals coincided with their professional protests alongside protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of the morality police and the serial poisoning of students. The explanation of 'Ms. Teacher Qayemshahri' about returning to work and then 'cancellation of selection' and her subsequent expulsion from school. The Coordinating Council of Cultural Associations of Iran: Issuing judicial sentences will not hinder teachers' demands. Mohammad Moradi Nasari, a Kurdish teacher, was dismissed from work due to 'negative inquiry from a security agency.' The Ministry of Education's warning to teachers; using mobile phones in school is only permitted 'within the framework of education.'