Branch 41 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of 50 lashes and a monetary fine against Arsham Rezaei, a political prisoner in Evin Prison. The charges stem from a case initiated during his imprisonment.
Rezaei’s mother announced that Judge Seyed Jamal al-Din Yassini of Branch 41 confirmed her son’s conviction, which includes both the flogging and a fine of 16 million tomans. Another prisoner had accused Rezaei of insulting him and issuing death threats, which led to this case during his time in prison.
IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Arsham (Mahmoud) Rezaei at his home in Fardis, Karaj, on October 17, 2023, before transferring him to Evin Prison. His trial took place on December 25, 2023, where Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, alongside a 15-million-toman fine and other penalties.
Rezaei has a history of imprisonment due to his activism.
Flogging is considered a violation of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments. However, Iran continues to enforce such sentences despite widespread domestic and international criticism.