The human rights organization "Hangaw" reported the confirmation of a one-year prison sentence for "Abdul Nasir Shahbakhsh" and "Osama Shahbakhsh," two Baluch citizens who were filmmakers at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan, by the appellate court. According to Hangaw, the sentence was confirmed on Tuesday, February 20, by the appellate court of Sistan and Baluchestan province, rejecting their appeal. The website "Halosh" also confirmed this news, stating that these individuals had been sentenced in absentia by the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Zahedan in early December of this year. Media reports indicate that there is still no precise information available regarding the charges against these two citizens. According to the report, the two filmmakers were arrested by security forces on Tuesday, June 27, and after 144 days of detention, they were temporarily released from Zahedan Central Prison on November 18 with bail. The security apparatus of the Islamic Republic has been arresting close associates of Molavi Abdul Hamid, a Sunni cleric and Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, in recent months to exert pressure on him. Following the killing of around 100 worshippers during the "Bloody Friday" incident in Zahedan on September 30, 2022, the city has witnessed anti-government protests every Friday. Molavi Abdul Hamid criticizes the policies of the Islamic Republic and high-ranking officials in his Friday sermons. The deployment of government forces and checkpoints around the Makki Mosque on Friday, January 19, saw Molavi Abdul Hamid stating that political killings and executions have not deterred people from their demands. Body searches of worshippers around the mosque have increased security. He also demanded that all perpetrators of the "Bloody Friday" incident be prosecuted. Halosh reported that several citizens were arrested in Zahedan, indicating an increase in pressure on Molavi Abdul Hamid and ongoing arrests in the city. The government's news agency reacted to the recent arrests in Zahedan, stating that there would be "decisive action" against those spreading "rumors" aimed at causing "chaos."
Prison Sentence for Filmmakers of Zahedan's Makki Mosque Confirmed
The appellate court confirmed a one-year prison sentence for two filmmakers from the Makki Mosque in Zahedan, Abdul Nasir and Osama Shahbakhsh, amidst ongoing tensions following the Bloody Friday incident. Their arrests are part of a broader crackdown on dissent by the Iranian government, particularly targeting associates of cleric Molavi Abdul Hamid. This situation highlights the increasing repression of civil liberties in Iran.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Iranian court confirmed prison sentences for filmmakers Abdul Nasir and Osama Shahbakhsh in Zahedan.
- security forces arrest Abdul Nasir Shahbakhsh, Osama Shahbakhsh
- appellate court confirm Abdul Nasir Shahbakhsh, Osama Shahbakhsh
- citizens protest Iranian government
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The confirmation of prison sentences for filmmakers underscores the Iranian government's crackdown on dissent.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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