Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – Ruhollah Ahura Hedayati, a citizen from the city of Shazand (western Iran), who was previously arrested in October of last year and released on bail after two months, was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison after being charged with “Propaganda against the regime”, “Membership in groups aimed at undermining the security of the country”, “Blasphemy” and “Insulting religious beliefs and leadership.” Mr Hedayati was sentenced in the First Branch of the Shazand Revolutionary Court, presided by Hassan Hosseini. According to the ruling, in line with Article 134 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, only the most severe sentence should be served.

An informed source told HRANA that Mr Hedayati was charged with “Possession of two grams of a controlled substance”, which carried a cash fine of four million Rials (approximately $83 USD) and a sentence of fifty lashes.

According to the Court, the sentence was issued based on Mr Hedayati’s “clear” confession to attending the celebration of “Cyrus the Great Day” on October 28, 2016, in the city of Shiraz. According to the ruling, the evidence for Mr Hedayati’s presence at the celebration was based on videos and photos taken from the gathering at the tomb of Cyrus, a ruler of ancient Persia, and Mr. Hedayati’s own confessions to writing slogans on the walls and installations of a detention center and Intelligence office in Arak.