Trial of Narges Mohammadi in 'Closed Court'

Taghi Rahmani, the husband of Narges Mohammadi, a imprisoned civil activist, says that the hearing for the charges against this civil activist was held on the first of Ordibehesht (April) in a court presided over by Abolghasem Salavati, in a closed session. The Iranian Human Rights Defenders Association quoted Taghi Rahmani as saying that despite serving part of Ms. Mohammadi's sentence and her illness, which includes her eligibility for conditional release, this Iranian lawyer remains in prison and her 'freedom has been denied.' The hearing for Narges Mohammadi's recent charges has been postponed several times. Amnesty International previously issued a statement announcing the date of Narges Mohammadi's trial in Ordibehesht and called for her immediate and unconditional release. Ms. Mohammadi suffers from severe lung disease and muscular paralysis. She has been sent to the hospital on several occasions, and doctors have ordered her to be hospitalized. According to doctors, the illnesses of this human rights activist are 'exacerbated' in the prison environment and stressful conditions, which 'can endanger the patient's life.' Iranian judicial authorities have also opened a case against her for 'insulting' the officers who transferred her to the hospital. The dire conditions of Ms. Mohammadi have not influenced the issuance of her release order. Narges Mohammadi, the vice president of the Iranian Human Rights Defenders Association, was born on the first of Ordibehesht 1351 (April 20, 1972). She was arrested in 2009 and tried in July 2011 based on laws related to actions against national security or propaganda against the regime. This civil activist was arrested again in 2014, also on charges such as 'acting against national security' and 'propaganda against the regime.' In July 2015, Ms. Mohammadi's family stated that the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence had also accused her of collaborating with the 'Islamic government.' In response to this accusation, Narges Mohammadi's family said that it was likely due to her opposition to the execution of several Sunni Muslims and her 'request for fairness and justice in their trials from judicial authorities.' Human rights organizations, journalists, international figures, and activists have repeatedly protested against the arrests and imprisonment of Narges Mohammadi.