Shirin Ebadi Calls for Immediate Release of Imprisoned Lawyer Mohammad Najafi

Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, criticized the Iranian judicial authorities' efforts to revoke the law license of imprisoned lawyer Mohammad Najafi and called for his swift release. According to the Iran Human Rights Organization on Thursday, October 5, Ebadi emphasized that peaceful activism and Najafi's opposition to the Iranian government are not crimes, asserting that the open cases against this imprisoned lawyer should be closed immediately. Following Najafi's disclosures about 'threats of sexual assault and psychological abuse' against detained protesters, the Iranian judicial authorities not only opened a new case against him but also revived previous cases against this civil and political activist. This human rights advocate had previously been accused of 'spreading falsehoods' in a case related to the release of two audio files addressed to Ali Khamenei. In an interview with the Iran Human Rights Organization, Ebadi described the Iranian government's stance towards the Bar Association as hostile, stating that over the past 43 years, the licenses of several lawyers committed to justice have been revoked, and many, like Najafi, have been imprisoned. According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, Najafi announced that he would not appear before the disciplinary court of the Central Province Bar Association due to the lack of justice in its proceedings. Najafi, a lawyer and civil activist, has been imprisoned multiple times since 2018 on charges such as 'spreading falsehoods,' 'propaganda against the regime,' 'insulting the leadership,' and 'aiding an enemy state,' and is currently held in Evin Prison. Reports from the Iran Human Rights Organization indicate that prison officials threatened him with death in September 2022. Iranian officials exert pressure on independent lawyers through revoking their licenses, summoning, and arresting them. A new case has been formed against the imprisoned lawyer in Evin; crime: informing about pressures and threats against detained protesters. Arash Keykhosravi, a lawyer and human rights defender, was arrested after visiting the prosecutor's office. Independent lawyers addressed government lawyers, stating that they are complicit and active participants in medieval, unjust trials. Pressure on lawyers has increased; from prohibition of practice to imprisonment.