Prince Serin Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Prison in Iran

The lawyer of Serin Badiei, known as 'Prince Serin', reported that a prison sentence totaling more than 109 months was issued for this dual-national Iranian-New Zealander. Ali Sharifzadeh Ardekanian stated in an interview with 'Emtidad' published on Thursday, August 9, that the court sentenced Prince Serin to '66 months in prison for encouraging corruption and prostitution, 36 months in prison for insulting sacred values, 7 months and 16 days in prison for propaganda against the regime, and a two-year ban on leaving the country and on activities in cyberspace.' Serin Badiei, or Serin Curtis, is known as 'Prince Serin' on social media. He returned to Iran in April 2023 and published videos of his presence in the streets of Tehran on social media. However, a few days later, news of his arrest was published, and the Iranian judiciary announced that this accused person was 'detained after being informed of the charges and was placed in custody for further investigation.' Serin claimed to be related to the ancient royal family of Iran and had lived in the United States for many years. According to Mr. Sharifzadeh Ardekanian, three charges are registered in Serin Badiei's case: 'insulting sacred values', 'propaganda against the regime', and 'encouraging people to corruption and prostitution.' He emphasized that despite having previously acted in the United States, his client holds New Zealand citizenship, and the embassy of that country is aware of this case. Mr. Sharifzadeh Ardekanian also mentioned that Serin Badiei's assets, including jewelry and currency he brought to Iran, have been confiscated. The lawyer also stated that his client suffers from 'bipolar disorder, which is considered a type of schizophrenia, and occasionally experiences sudden madness; therefore, they will pursue the case through the Karaj Court of Appeals.' He added: 'In our opinion, Serin, regardless of whether he is guilty, is ill. A person who came from America via Mashhad to Iran and claims that his goal was to convey a message of peace, friendship, and goodwill from Iran to the world. According to my client, he intended to declare that Iran is not a terrorist country.' The Iranian government, by arresting foreign or dual-national citizens traveling to Iran, attempts to exchange them with its agents or operatives who have been tried and imprisoned in Western countries, or even to receive money from other countries in exchange for the release of foreign or dual-national citizens; an approach that officials of the Islamic Republic call 'power diplomacy.'