Workers’ Rights Advocate Mohammad Davari Imprisoned to Serve Sentence

On May 14, 2024, workers’ rights advocate Mohammad Davari was imprisoned in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz to begin serving his four-year, six-month sentence. Three years of this term are enforceable.

A source close to Davari’s family confirmed to HRANA his incarceration in Adelabad Prison.

In November of last year, the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mahmood Sadati, sentenced Davari to three years in prison, a two-year prohibition from leaving the country, a ban on social media activities, and a two-year mandatory residence in Bardsir County for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Additionally, Davari received a one-year and six-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, Davari will serve three years in prison.

Earlier, a source informed HRANA that the court did not cite any specific action as the basis for the aforementioned charges. According to this source, Davari also faces a charge of “disseminating false information” from the Shiraz Criminal Court.

Notably, Mohammad Davari has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism. He is a civil engineering graduate from Yasuj University and a political science Master’s student from Shiraz Payam Noor University.

Mohammad Davari Receives Four Years and Six Months Prison Sentence

The Shiraz Revolutionary Court has issued a verdict sentencing workers’ rights activist Mohammad Davari to four years and six months in prison. The sentence includes a two-year mandatory residence in Bardsir County, Kerman Province, a two-year travel ban, and additional social deprivations.

Presiding over the court, Judge Mahmood Sadati delivered a three-year prison term, a two-year prohibition from leaving the country, a ban on social media activities, and a two-year mandatory residence in Bardsir County for charges related to “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Additionally, Davari was handed a one-year and six-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.”

Despite the severity of the charges, a source informed HRANA that the court did not provide any specific examples for the accusation of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Furthermore, Davari is concurrently facing allegations of “disseminating false information” in another pending legal case, currently under consideration by the Shiraz Criminal Court.

Notably, Mohammad Davari has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism. He is a civil engineering graduate from Yasuj University and a political science alumnus from Shiraz Payam Noor University.

Two Baha’i Citizens Sent to Adel-Abad Prison to Serve Their Sentence

On January 23, two Baha’i citizens, Farham Sabet and Farzan Masoomi, both residents of Shiraz City, were sent to Adel-Abad Prison to serve their sentence. Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced each to six years in prison. On appeal, this verdict was reduced to two years for each.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, two Baha’i citizens Farham Sabet and Farzan Masoomi were jailed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz City.

They were arrested by security forces in Shiraz in 2016 and after a while, they were released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

In May of 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz, headed by Judge Mahmood Sadati, sentenced each to 6 years on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in one of the anti-regime groups”. This verdict was reduced for each to two years on appeal.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.