The Imprisonment of Amir Salar Davoodi, Attorney, Has Been Halted

The wife of Amir Salar Davoodi, a lawyer imprisoned in Evin prison, announced the halt of the execution of this political prisoner's sentence following the Supreme Court's approval for a retrial. Tanaz Kolahchian wrote on Saturday, September 15, on her 'X' page: 'The halt of the execution of Amir Salar Davoodi's sentence with the Supreme Court's approval for a retrial gives hope that this time the branch [will] comply with the court's opinion and issue an acquittal.' Amir Salar Davoodi, who has represented several political defendants and has spent several years in prison, reported in a message on 'X' that the Supreme Court has dropped the charges of 'forming an anti-security group' and 'conspiracy and collusion' in his case. According to this lawyer, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has halted his sentence by dropping these charges and sent the case to an equivalent branch. The charge of 'forming an anti-security group' had previously led to a 10-year prison sentence for Amir Salar Davoodi. Other charges against this human rights activist included 'insulting the leadership' and 'disturbing public opinion.' Amir Salar Davoodi, who is currently on leave, stated that he will not return to prison until the trial is held in the equivalent branch for appeal. According to Amir Salar Davoodi's wife, this lawyer and human rights activist, who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, has already served more than 4 years of his sentence. Amir Salar Davoodi was temporarily released on bail from Rajai Shahr prison in June 2021 after two years and seven months of imprisonment, but was arrested and imprisoned again in July 2022. The Iranian government's pressure on lawyers and legal professionals has increased following widespread protests after the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in the custody of the morality police. Sina Yousafi, a lawyer, was sentenced to prison for commenting on the helicopter crash involving Raisi. A lawyer was summoned to prison, and the sentences of four teacher union activists were confirmed; Hamid Haj Abdolpour's six-year sentence was upheld. The head of the Bar Association reported about 'approximately 20 murders and 60 serious assassination attempts' against lawyers in the last decade. Mohammad Najafi, a prisoner lawyer, has not been sent to the hospital despite his poor health.