Zia Nabavi to Face Court for 'Reporting the Presence of Bedbugs in Prison'

Amir Raisian, a lawyer, announced that another court session will be held for Zia Nabavi, a political prisoner, on the charge of 'reporting the presence' of the pest bedbug in Evin prison. Raisian stated in an interview with the Shargh network published on Tuesday, September 5, that this new court session will take place on 'September 7' to address the charge of spreading falsehoods. Zia Nabavi, who is serving a one-year sentence for protesting the poisoning of schoolgirls, had previously published a note from inside the prison in May of this year, mentioning the presence of bedbugs in Ward 8 of this prison and the physical and mental health issues it caused for the inmates. Following the publication of this note, which garnered significant reactions on social media, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic denied Mr. Nabavi's statements on May 24 and accused him of seeking 'to change his ward in Evin prison.' Meanwhile, some political and civil activists and former prisoners, including Mehdi Mahmoudian and Jamal Ameli, confirmed Mr. Nabavi's claims. The announcement of the new court comes three months after the prison authorities had previously informed that 'due to this note, he was removed from his ward and, by the decision of the prison disciplinary council, was transferred to punitive solitary confinement for a week.' Zia Nabavi had also spent 8 years and 8 months in prison since 2009 for his activities defending the right to education.