Tajzadeh: IRGC Initiated 'Seventh Case' Against Me on Khamenei's Orders

Mostafa Tajzadeh, a reformist political activist imprisoned in Evin prison, claims that the IRGC has 'fabricated and initiated the seventh case' against him on the orders of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. In an open letter addressed to Khamenei on September 2, Tajzadeh stated that he was convicted on September 1 for 'gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security' and 'propaganda against the regime.' This political prisoner emphasized that, as in the past, he will not attend court in protest against the injustice prevailing in the judiciary, writing: 'One of the two or three notorious judges can condemn me to six years in prison for the two above charges, five years of which would be enforceable.' He noted that Khamenei is attempting to silence critics with long-term sentences, stating: 'Despite all the arrests, the people's fear has dissipated, and criticism and even protest against the leader have become the most common currency in society.' Tajzadeh's lawyer announced on September 24 that a new charge has been issued against his client. The lawyer told ILNA that Tajzadeh is currently serving his sentence for previous charges, but now a 'new charge has been considered for him, of which we are unaware of the type and reason.' The lawyer also mentioned that Tajzadeh explains his situation over the phone and, despite being detained since July 2022, has not taken a single day of leave. Mostafa Tajzadeh, a reformist political activist, has been repeatedly arrested and sentenced to heavy penalties since 2009. He was last sentenced in October 2022 to five years in prison for charges of 'colluding against national security,' 'spreading falsehoods,' and 'propaganda against the regime' and is currently in prison.