Risk of Blindness for Sahand NourMohammadzadeh; Enforcement of Sentences Opposes Referral of Case to Forensic Medicine

The lawyer of Sahand NourMohammadzadeh, detained during the protests of 2022, reported that the enforcement of his client's sentence is opposed to the referral of his case to forensic medicine and his summons to prison, stating that preventing the complete treatment process could lead to blindness in one of NourMohammadzadeh's eyes. Hamed Ahmadi, the lawyer, informed 'Shahrvand' network: 'As previously reported, Sahand NourMohammadzadeh was sentenced to 10 years of exile in Kahnouj, Kerman province, for the charge of Moharebeh (waging war against God) confirmed by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. During his imprisonment, he faced issues with the vision in his right eye, and doctors indicated that his eye required surgery.' He added: 'Following the declaration of Sahand NourMohammadzadeh's need for eye surgery, the case was returned to the enforcement of sentences in District 33 of Tehran. At that time, the enforcement of sentences agreed to a one-week leave for him to undergo treatment. After the treatment leave, Mr. NourMohammadzadeh underwent laser treatment, and his doctor emphasized that he needed to be under special care for two months, but the enforcement of sentences only agreed to 45 days. However, after this period, his vision did not improve and even worsened.' The lawyer of Sahand NourMohammadzadeh stated: 'The 45 days allocated have ended, but Mr. NourMohammadzadeh's vision is still problematic.' He emphasized: 'Legally, when the treatment of a sentenced individual outside of prison is necessary, the judge of the criminal enforcement of sentences determines the required time for treatment based on forensic medical opinion, but unfortunately, despite this being clearly stated in the law, the enforcement of sentences at Evin Prison has opposed referring Mr. NourMohammadzadeh's case to forensic medicine. Meanwhile, according to the doctor, if my client returns to prison, there is a possibility of losing his eyesight.' Sahand NourMohammadzadeh confirmed his lawyer's statements on Wednesday, August 15, and described the existing problems in Kahnouj prison, stating: 'People like me pay a heavy price for the future of Iran. I received a Moharebeh and execution sentence for two meters of railing, and despite my sentence being annulled by the Supreme Court, I faced the charge of Moharebeh again and experienced very difficult days.' In November 2022, the Revolutionary Court sentenced Sahand NourMohammadzadeh to 10 years of exile to Kahnouj, Kerman province, for Moharebeh, 5 years of imprisonment for conspiracy and collusion, and 1 year of imprisonment for disturbing public order. The 39th branch of the Supreme Court rejected the charge of Moharebeh against this protestor in January 2023, but in July 2023, it annulled its previous ruling and accused Sahand of Moharebeh again. Hamed Ahmadi, the lawyer, had previously stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Court's justification for issuing the death sentence and attributing the title of 'leader' of the protests to Sahand NourMohammadzadeh was 'a film in which this young protestor attempts to break the highway guardrail,' while the accused denied breaking the railing and burning a trash can, and 'throughout all stages of the proceedings, he explicitly denied his actions aimed at opposing the regime.' Despite not completing his treatment process, Sahand NourMohammadzadeh announced his return to prison. Hundreds of users on Instagram called for the release of political prisoners in Iran. The Supreme Court, with its 'annulment of the previous ruling,' accused Sahand NourMohammadzadeh of 'Moharebeh.' The father of Sahand NourMohammadzadeh stated: 'Pushing a trash can does not warrant execution.' Sahand NourMohammadzadeh, the imprisoned protestor, faces two new charges in solitary confinement. Sahand NourMohammadzadeh's lawyer stated: 'Sahand's death sentence has been annulled, but the charge of Moharebeh remains.'