The Tehran Court of Appeals, Branch 36, has upheld the prison sentence and additional restrictions imposed on attorney Mohammadreza Faghihi. The initial ruling, issued by the preliminary court, sentenced Faghihi to five years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year prohibition from practicing law and participating in political groups.

The recent appellate ruling maintains these penalties, convicting Mr. Faghihi on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.” In addition to the prison term, he faces a two-year ban on leaving the country, a two-year suspension from practicing law, and a two-year prohibition from participating in political organizations. The verdict was delivered to Faghihi’s legal team on November 4, and the case has since been sent to the enforcement branch for execution.

This decision echoes an earlier ruling from Branch 15 of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court, which imposed the same penalties.

Faghihi’s legal troubles trace back to October 12, 2022, when he, along with two other attorneys, was arrested by security forces during a protest held by lawyers outside the Central Bar Association in Argentina Square, Tehran. The protest called attention to the “violation of protesters’ rights and Article 27 of the Constitution.” Faghihi was released on bail on October 25, 2022, but has since faced additional legal challenges.

Mr. Faghihi has a prior history of arrests and convictions linked to his professional advocacy activities.