Second Court Session for Eight Protesters in Tehran; Charges: Propaganda Against the Regime, Destruction of Public Property, and Rebellion

The second court session regarding the charges against eight young protesters was held on Saturday, July 27, in the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazgian, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ali Herati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, and Hossein Ardestani are the citizens facing charges such as 'conspiracy and collusion to commit a crime against national security, disturbing public order, propaganda against the regime, destruction of public property, rebellion, and membership in a rebellious group.' Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Amir Shah Velayati, Ehsan Ravazgian, Amin Sokhanvar, Ali Herati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, and Hossein Ardestani were present at this session and defended themselves, but Hamidreza Sahlabadi, another accused in this case, could not attend the court session due to being hospitalized after a suicide attempt, which he carried out in protest against his summons to court. These eight protesters were arrested in a joint case between May and August 2023, and the first court session regarding their charges was held on June 30 in the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. Some of these citizens are free on bail, but Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Amin Sokhanvar, and Ehsan Ravazgian have been imprisoned in Evin Prison for a year. Amir Shah Velayati, one of the defendants in this case, is among the protesters who lost his eye during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests. Nasim Gholami Simiyari, born in 1988, was arrested on May 17, 2023, by the IRGC intelligence agents and transferred to the women's section of Evin Prison. After five months of detention, he was charged with 'conspiracy and collusion, propaganda against the regime, and rebellion.' Hamidreza Sahlabadi was arrested on July 3, 2023, by IRGC intelligence forces and transferred to Evin Prison. He had previously been sentenced to two years in prison for the destruction of public property, a sentence that was upheld in the appeals court. Ehsan Ravazgian, Amin Sokhanvar, Hossein Ardestani, Ali Herati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, and Amir Shah Velayati were also arrested at different times by security forces and transferred to Evin Prison. Some of these individuals have been released on bail after being charged, but all are being tried in connection with security charges. Pressure on civil and political activists has increased in recent years, especially following the nationwide protests after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police. According to Amnesty International's report in early May, Iranian authorities have resorted to 'illegal coercive powers and unfair trials' to 'severely suppress political freedoms' of activists, journalists, and critics. The deteriorating physical and mental health of Saman Yasin; he is transferred daily to the medical unit of Qezel Hesar Prison. Narges Mohammadi: Political and ideological female prisoners in Evin will gather in the prison yard until Sunday morning. The second court session for eight defendants accused of 'rebellion'; Iran Human Rights: The international community should respond to the death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi. Sepideh Rashno: The power of the powerless stands against oppression. The International Confederation of Trade Unions: The death sentence of Sharifeh Mohammadi must be revoked.