The U.S. Expresses Concern Over the Arrest of Mohammad Thalath's Lawyer

On Tuesday, June 18, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, Heather Nauert, expressed deep concern over reports regarding the arrest of Zainab Taheri, the lawyer of Mohammad Thalath, who was recently executed. Nauert tweeted: "The United States is deeply concerned about reports of the arrest of Zainab Taheri, the lawyer of Mohammad Thalath, who was recently executed, on charges of disturbing public opinion in Iran." The U.S. State Department spokesperson added: "We call for her immediate release and an end to the harassment of Gonabadi dervishes by the Iranian government." Zainab Taheri represented Mohammad Reza Thalath, 51, who was executed early Monday for allegedly running over three police officers during a clash with dervishes. Ms. Taheri emphasized her client's innocence. After Thalath's execution, she tweeted that she intended to publish "documents of her client's innocence." A close associate of Zainab Taheri, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed to Radio Farda that Ms. Taheri was arrested on Tuesday after being summoned to Branch 2 of the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office. Meanwhile, Ms. Taheri's Telegram channel announced that she "told the authorities that she would not remain silent against this injustice and would go on a hunger strike." Her reference to "injustice" apparently relates to her protest against the execution of Mohammad Thalath, a Gonabadi dervish. The swift execution of Mohammad Reza Thalath has elicited international reactions. The European Union condemned Thalath's execution, stating that he was "forced to confess under torture" and was sentenced to death in a "hasty judicial process" without access to a lawyer. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also described Thalath's execution as "cruel" and "unjust," urging Washington's allies worldwide to condemn the Iranian government's actions.