Trial Session for 9 Civil and Political Activists Held at the Revolutionary Court of Golestan

The court session addressing the charges against 9 civil and political activists was held on Wednesday, December 27, at the first branch of the Revolutionary Court in Golestan. According to HRANA, the news agency of human rights activists in Iran, the names of the defendants are Behrouz Izadi Rad, Mohammad Reza (Tahmouress) Shoughi, Amin Shirafkan, Reza Najafi, Parand Ghareh Dagh, Fa'ezeh Khalili, Maryam Rezvani, Maryam Khajavandi, and Roujina Ebrahimi. The report states that the charges against these 9 civil and political activists include 'conspiracy and collusion to commit a crime against internal/external security', 'membership in a group or organization aimed at undermining national security', and 'propaganda against the regime'. According to HRANA, five of the defendants, Behrouz Izadi Rad, Mohammad Reza (Tahmouress) Shoughi, Amin Shirafkan, Reza Najafi, and Parand Ghareh Dagh, were arrested in September of this year and were later released on bail from Amirabad prison in Golestan. The report also mentions that Behrouz Izadi Rad and Mohammad Reza (Tahmouress) Shoughi have previously faced judicial actions due to their activities. Following the widespread protests of 2022, civil and political activists, along with a broad spectrum of teachers, academics, workers, bereaved families, and critical journalists, have faced intensified governmental pressures. Recently, a civil and political activist residing in Mashhad reported their sentencing to one year in prison, a two-year travel ban, and a prohibition from engaging in online activities by the Revolutionary Court. Ashkan Saadat Mehr, one of the detainees from the 2022 protests, was sentenced in absentia to 7 years in prison. The Revolutionary Court sentenced a protesting student to prison and deprivation of social rights. Bail was granted; the charge of 'spreading falsehoods' was brought against Maryam Shekarani following the re-publication of news about Armita Garavand. Concerns have been raised regarding the physical condition of Zeynab Jalalian in Yazd prison; this political prisoner has been deprived of medical care.