Revolutionary Court Sentences 8 Political Defendants to Over 42 Years in Prison, Flogging, and Exile

Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ali Herati Mokhtari, Shahin Zahmatkesh, and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini were sentenced to a total of 42 years and 3 months in prison, 25 years of exile, and 74 lashes by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The prison sentences of Amir Shah Velayati and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, each initially sentenced to two years, were converted to fines.

Detailed Sentences:

  1. Nasim Gholami Simiyari: aged around 40, she was sentenced to 20 years of exile in Angouran, Zanjan Province, where she is to live under judicial supervision without social interactions, 1 year in prison, 74 lashes for disrupting public order, and 5 years in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  2. Hamidreza Sahlabadi: aged around 38, he was sentenced to 5 years of exile in Shazand, Arak Province, under similar conditions, and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  3. Amin Sokhanvar: aged around 26, he was sentenced to 4 years in prison for membership in opposition groups and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  4. Ehsan Ravazjiyan: aged around 33, he received 3 years in prison for membership in opposition groups and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  5. Ali Herati Mokhtari: aged around 25, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for illegal possession of tear gas and 2 years for possessing six illegal bullets.
  6. Amir Shah Velayati: aged around 26, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for assembly and collusion, converted to an 80 million toman fine.
  7. Hossein Mohammad Hosseini: aged around 37, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for assembly and collusion, converted to a fine of 165 million tomans.
  8. Hossein Ardestani: aged 37, he was acquitted of all charges.
  9. Shahin Zahmatkesh: aged around 41, he was sentenced to 1 year in prison for anti-state propaganda, 5 years for assembly and collusion, and 5 years for inciting unrest. He currently resides outside of Iran.
  10. Siamak Tadayyon and Farid Golsheni: Their cases remain open, as they were charged with involvement in the so-called “Iranian People’s Army terrorist group” but have evaded capture.

Background of the Arrests:

  • Nasim Gholami Simiyari was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in Tehran on May 18, 2023, and later transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on September 26, 2023.
  • Hamidreza Sahlabadi was detained at his residence on July 3, 2023, and later sentenced to 2 years for property damage by a criminal court in Tehran.
  • Ehsan Ravazjiyan was arrested in Malayer on August 8, 2023, and subsequently moved to Evin Prison.
  • Amin Sokhanvar was arrested at his home in Tehran in April 2023 and is currently held in Evin Prison.
  • Hossein Ardestani was detained on January 22, 2023, and released on bail after a period of detention.
  • Ali Herati Mokhtari and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini were also previously arrested and released on bail.
  • Amir Shah Velayati was summoned to Evin Court on January 23, 2024, charged with anti-state propaganda and other offenses, and released on bail on March 11, 2024.

 

Report on the Latest Status of Amin Sokhanvar in Evin Prison

Political detainee Amin Sokhanvar remains for over fifteen months in legal limbo in Evin Prison.

Although two court sessions have been held for Sokhanvar, Judge Iman Afshari has not yet issued a verdict. The charges against this citizen include “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Sokhanvar is part of a joint case with seven other defendants: Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Ali Harati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Amir Shah Velayati, and Hossein Ardestani.

Amin Sokhanvar, aged around 25, was arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran, in April-May 2023.

A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Amin’s arrest was due to his membership in the People’s Army group and suspicion of armed action.”

Political Prisoner Hamidreza Sahlabadi Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

On Saturday, July 20th, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide by ingesting pills. Following the attempt, he was transferred to Loghman Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit and is not allowed visitors.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed Sahlabadi’s suicide attempt to HRANA: “Hamidreza attempted suicide by ingesting pills in protest against his summons again to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on July 27th . He was transferred to Loghman Hospital at 5 AM on Saturday, July 20th. He is currently in the intensive care unit. The authorities are preventing his family from visiting him, which has heightened their concerns about his health.”

This political prisoner was arrested on July 3, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home and transferred to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In July-August of last year, Mr. Sahlabadi was sentenced by the Criminal Court Two of Shahid Kachouyi Judicial Complex in Tehran to two years in prison on charges of “destruction of public property,” including time served. This sentence was upheld in late December of the same year by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

A court session regarding other charges in his case, along with seven other defendants, was held on June 30th in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges included “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “disruption of public order,” “propaganda against the regime,” “destruction of public property,” “armed rebellion,” and “membership in a rebellious group.”

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Mr. Sahlabadi also has a history of arrest and conviction in 2009.”

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Continued Detention and Uncertainty of Nasim Gholami Simiyari in Evin Prison

Nasim Gholami Simiyari, aged 36, facing the charge of armed rebellion (Baghi), remains in an uncertain state in Evin Prison despite 425 days having passed since her arrest.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Gholami has been in detention for nearly fourteen months. Despite a court session held on June 30 in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, no verdict has been issued for her on the charge of “armed rebellion.” Gholami Simiyari remains in an uncertain state in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. She is part of a joint case with seven other defendants: Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Amin Sokhanvar, Ali Harati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Amir Shah Velayati, and Hossein Ardestani.

Gholami Simiyari was arrested on May 18, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents on a street in Tehran. She was transferred to Ward 1-A of the IRGC, held in solitary confinement, and interrogated. After two months, she was transferred to Ward 2-A and eventually to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on September 26, 2023.

After five months in detention, she was charged with “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “armed rebellion (Baghi).”

According to a friend of Ms. Simiyari, “She was subjected to psychological and physical torture during her detention, and forced confessions were obtained from her in front of a camera at the detention facility. The confessions were dictated and forced by the interrogator.”