Vrisheh Moradi Still Deprived of Contact and Visits with Her Lawyers

The lawyers of Vrisheh Moradi, a political prisoner and member of the Free Women of East Kurdistan Society, who has been accused of 'baghi' (rebellion), announced that the prohibition of her visits and contact with her immediate family members has been lifted by the ruling of Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court. However, they stated that their client 'is still deprived of visits and contact with her lawyers, contrary to the Criminal Procedure Code and the regulations of the Prisons Organization, despite the sensitivity of her case.' Keyvan Azizi, a lawyer, stated in an interview with 'Shargh Network' on Thursday, September 1, regarding the latest status of Vrisheh Moradi's case and the restrictions imposed on her: 'Article 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code states that a detainee can inform family members or acquaintances of their situation by phone or any possible means.' He added, 'If the authorities determine that the detainee should not exercise such a right, they must obtain an order from a judicial authority. Furthermore, Article 48 of the same law states that in cases of organized crime or crimes against national security, the detainee cannot meet with a lawyer for up to a week. The visitation prohibition stated in the regulations of the Prisons Organization pertains to the investigation stage.' Azizi emphasized that 'only during the investigation stage is the judicial authority permitted to prevent the detainee from contacting and visiting family,' adding that 'such a prohibition cannot be extended to the defendant's lawyer, and the only prohibition regarding the lawyer is that mentioned in Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code.' Amir Sajadi, another lawyer for Ms. Moradi, noted: 'Such orders are issued at the discretion of the judicial authority to prevent collusion with other defendants and potential disruption of the investigation process, and since the investigation is considered concluded with the issuance of an indictment and charge, the basis for issuing such orders is effectively nullified and, if issued, is not based on law.' He called for the law to be enforced regarding his client. Vrisheh Moradi was arrested in August of last year and faced charges of 'baghi' in February, as stated by the investigator of Branch 5 of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office of Tehran. According to Shargh Network, Keyvan Azizi also emphasized that 'these restrictions seriously hinder the preparation of a defense for my client,' and quoted his client as saying that she 'will refrain from attending her hearing in protest against such restrictions and issues such as the issuance of death sentences for two female defendants,' Sharifeh Mohammadi and Pakhshan Azizi, and thus did not attend the hearing. Sharifeh Mohammadi, who had been a member of the 'Coordination Committee to Help Establish Labor Organizations' over a decade ago, was arrested last December, and the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Rasht sentenced her to death on July 14 for 'baghi.' Pakhshan Azizi, a civil rights and women's rights activist, has also been sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Court for 'baghi.' Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued this sentence based on the claim of her 'membership' in 'groups that have engaged in armed rebellion against the Islamic government.' This political prisoner has also been sentenced to 'four years of prison' for the charge of 'membership in PJAK.' Human rights in Iran; Vrisheh Moradi: ISIS beheads, the Islamic Republic hangs. Vida Rabani's letter from Evin: The gap between arrest and delivery of the defendant to the judiciary can be filled with any violence. Several female political prisoners in Evin are still deprived of phone contact and visits with their families. Dozens of human rights organizations have called for international investigations into the 'brutal repression' of imprisoned women in Evin.