Sam Rajabi, Environmental Activist, Released After 6 Years

News sources in Iran reported the release of Sam Rajabi, an environmental activist, after 6 years and the end of his sentence. Sam Rajabi was one of eight environmental activists arrested in Bahman 1398 (February 2019) by the IRGC Intelligence Organization and was sentenced to 6 years in prison on Tuesday, Bahman 29, 1398 (February 18, 2019). The issuance of this sentence drew reactions from some human rights organizations and the U.S. State Department. The arrested activists included Hooman Jokar, Amir Hossein Khaleghi, Sam Rajabi, Taher Ghaderian, Niloufar Bayani, Sepideh Kashani, Morad Tahbaz, and Kavous Seyed-Emami. The court sentenced Morad Tahbaz and Niloufar Bayani to 10 years in prison, Hooman Jokar and Taher Ghaderian to 8 years, and Sam Rajabi and Sepideh Kashani to 6 years. The charges against these individuals were labeled as 'espionage', but the Ministry of Intelligence during Hassan Rouhani's administration and the Department of Environment at that time stated that they did not consider these environmental activists to be 'spies'. Kavous Seyed-Emami's death in prison was announced in the early months of his detention, and despite family protests, the reasons for his death were never investigated by an independent body, with the judiciary declaring it a 'suicide'. Morad Tahbaz was also released a few months ago as part of an agreement mediated by Qatar between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic, along with several other dual-national prisoners. After his release and return to the U.S., Morad Tahbaz stated that his captivity was difficult but he learned a lot. Statements from American prisoners after their release praised the courage of those still behind the walls of the Islamic Republic's prisons. Isa Kalantari reiterated the innocence of imprisoned environmental activists, stating they were not spies. Statements from the cellmates of Sepideh Kashani and Niloufar Bayani called for the release of innocent lovers and servants of the environment. A petition signed by 2,780 people called for a re-examination of the cases of imprisoned environmental activists, and calls for the release of environmental activists in Iran continue.