Tehran Prosecutor Explains Change in Charges Against Environmental Activists

The Tehran prosecutor announced the issuance of an indictment for eight detained environmental activists, stating that the reason for changing the charges against some of them from 'espionage' to 'corruption on earth' was due to the removal of 'deficiencies' in the case and 'completion of investigations.' He also reported that the indictment has been issued and the case is ready to be sent to court. Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, the lawyer for several of the detained activists, recently told Radio Farda that the Tehran prosecutor changed the charges against five of these activists from 'espionage' to 'corruption on earth' after receiving a letter from the military. Aghasi added that he learned 'by chance' that upon completion of the investigations, the investigator sent the case with a 'espionage indictment' to the Tehran prosecutor, but the prosecutor decided to change the charge based on a letter sent by the military through the Supreme National Security Council. The eight environmental activists, named Sam Rajabi, Amir Hossein Khaleghi, Hooman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, Niloufar Bayani, Taher Ghaderian, Abdolreza Kouhpayeh, and Morad Tahbaz, have been in 'temporary detention' by the IRGC Intelligence Organization for nearly nine months. Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, the Tehran prosecutor, defended the change in charges against some of these individuals by stating that 'relevant military authorities' provided a 'precise, clear, and comprehensive report' in response to the investigator's inquiry, which led to the change in charges for four of the defendants due to the completion of investigations. According to him, based on the opinion of these 'relevant authorities,' the actions of some of the defendants in this case involved 'approaching military sites under the guise of environmental activities and gathering military information about these areas.' Jafari Dolatabadi cited Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code to defend the change in charges, adding that the charges against them are 'the primary charge' and 'the court will certainly take these points [stated in this legal article] into account and will judge between the prosecutor's office and the defendants.' According to Articles 286 to 288 of the 'Islamic Penal Code,' 'corruption on earth' refers to a set of crimes that 'cause severe disruption to public order, insecurity, or significant damage to the physical integrity of individuals or public and private property, or lead to widespread corruption or prostitution.' This judicial official also announced the completion of 'investigations' related to this case yesterday (Tuesday, November 2) and stated that an indictment has finally been issued for the eight individuals who were prosecuted. According to the Tehran prosecutor, 'about twenty days ago, investigations regarding the defendants in this case had been completed; however, due to deficiencies, it was returned to the investigating branch.' He did not provide further details about these deficiencies but stated that the case of these eight individuals is currently ready to be sent to court. The change of charges against several environmental activists to corruption on earth, which could lead to the death penalty for them, has faced significant criticism. Aghasi, the lawyer for some of these activists, also expressed ignorance about the contents of the military's letter to the judiciary and stated he does not know for which of them this charge has been issued. However, several sources, including the Khabar Online website, have mentioned them as Morad Tahbaz, Niloufar Bayani, Hooman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, and Taher Ghaderian. Previously, the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic accused the detained environmental activists of 'espionage' and 'providing classified information from sensitive centers to foreign intelligence services.' Meanwhile, the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic, which is the authority for determining espionage, has repeatedly denied this matter explicitly. Kavous Seyed Emami, a university professor and environmental activist who was detained along with these eight individuals, died in prison, and his family strongly rejected the judiciary's claim of his 'suicide' in prison. In late September, the families of these eight individuals wrote a letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic requesting access to 'lawyers and fair trial conditions.' In their letter, they expressed concern about the situation of the detainees, stating that their efforts to access the Tehran prosecutor have been 'fruitless.'