The Revolutionary Court Sentenced Mahsa Amini's Uncle to 64 Months in Prison and Two Years of Travel Ban

A human rights source reported the conviction of Safa Aayeli, Mahsa Amini's uncle, to more than five years in prison along with additional penalties by the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Saqqez. According to the Hengaw website on Sunday, February 11, the first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Saqqez sentenced Safa Aayeli, who was detained by intelligence agencies in Saqqez on the eve of the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death while in the custody of the morality police, to a total of 'five years, four months, and 17 days of imprisonment' and other penalties including 'a travel ban and prohibition on writing about government forces.' The details of this ruling indicate that Safa Aayeli was sentenced to 'three years, six months, and one day of imprisonment' for the charge of 'participating in gatherings and conspiracy against internal security,' 'seven months and 16 days' for 'propaganda against the regime,' and '15 months and one day' for 'insulting Khamenei,' with the 'heaviest punishment' being applicable considering 'previous detention days.' The report also stated that according to 'Article 7 of the 1399 Penal Code,' one-third of the heaviest punishment for Safa Aayeli is suspended for three years on the condition that he does not associate with those detained during Mahsa Amini's anniversary, must report to the 'Intelligence Office' every three months, and complete 'three educational, ethical, and religious courses.' The first branch of the Saqqez Revolutionary Court, presided over by Javad Mostafaei, also sentenced Mahsa Amini's uncle to 'two years of travel ban.' In another part of the report, it was mentioned that Safa Aayeli was convicted for writing his 'personal interpretation' in the form of an article from the biography of a government repressive force member who was killed during the nationwide protests of 2022, presenting it to the court, and also for 'publishing audio on one of the popular social media networks in Saqqez.' Safa Aayeli was arrested on September 5, 2023, on the eve of the anniversary of his niece Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, by agents of the Saqqez Intelligence Office and was temporarily released on bail of 1.2 billion tomans after 42 days of temporary detention. Despite the increased pressure on the families of the plaintiffs ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and nationwide protests, Mahsa's parents announced in a statement that they would hold a memorial for her. In this regard, Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, told VOA: 'Today, everyone knows that Mahsa belongs not only to the Amini family but to all of Iran, and all of Mahsa's supporters are like her family. Therefore, whatever the people decide, we will comply.' During the memorial for Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death, a citizen in Saqqez was shot in the head by government agents, and dozens were arrested.