Mohammadreza Morad Behroozi and Soori Babai Chegini Receive Combined Two-Year Sentence

Soori Babai Chegini and Mohammadreza Morad Behroozi have been sentenced to a combined two years in prison by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court. Currently, Behroozi is already serving a one-year sentence for a previous legal case in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin.

As per the verdict, each individual has been given a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime,” which includes the detention period.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, the couple was not granted amnesty in accordance with the “pardon and commutation” directive. Additionally, judicial and prison officials have denied Behroozi’s request for prison leave.

Behroozi was arrested in August 2021 by security forces at his residence in Qazvin. He was subsequently released on bail pending the completion of legal proceedings.

Later, Behroozi received a one-year sentence for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and was fined 10 million tomans for “spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion.”

On July 15, 2022, Behroozi was jailed in Choobindar prison to commence serving his sentence.

On July 15, 2022, Behroozi began serving his sentence in Choobindar Prison. In March 2023, while still in prison, the Criminal Court of Mohammadiyeh County sentenced him to an additional ten months for “spreading falsehood” and eight months and ten days for “provoking people to act against public modesty.” He was also banned from leaving the country for two years.

Considering that he has been tried twice by both Criminal and Revolutionary Courts for the same offense, Behroozi’s lawyer has requested the merging of the sentences.

Babai Chegini was arrested on July 13, 2022, and released on bail after approximately six months. However, she was re-arrested one day after her release when she went to the Justice building in Mohammadiyeh to retrieve her children’s confiscated cell phone.

Subsequently, Chegini was sentenced to one month for “demonstrating a Haram act,” six months for “provoking people to act against public modesty,” and an additional three months for “public appearance without Hijab.” She was also banned from leaving the country for two years.

On May 25, 2023, Chegini began serving her six-month sentence in Choobindar Prison. However, she was released on bail five days later after accounting for the detention period.

 

Mohammad-Reza Morad Behroozi Goes on Hunger Strike in Protest against New Charges

Mohammad-Reza Morad Behroozi, who is currently serving his sentence in Qazvin Prison, has recently started a hunger strike to protest against new charges brought against him while in prison. He is also being denied phone calls and family visitation.

In this new legal case, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of Mohammadiyeh has sentenced Morad Behroozi to ten months for “disturbing public opinions” and eight months and ten days for “inciting people to act against public modesty.” He has also been banned from leaving the country for two years, and his cell phone has been confiscated.

His wife, Soori Babai Chegini, has also been sentenced to one month for “demonstrating a Haram act” and six months for “inciting people to act against public modesty,” and her cell phone has been confiscated as well.

The charges against them stem from publishing pictures without wearing Hijab on their personal pages on social media.

If these verdicts are upheld on appeal, Morad Behroozi will serve ten months in prison, while Babai Chegini will serve six months, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

According to an informed source, Behroozi is facing a charge of “propaganda against the regime” in the second part of his legal case. He has also been charged with spreading falsehoods due to the dissemination of his voice recording from prison. This same source stated that Behroozi had been beaten by prison officials.

In protest against these new charges, Behroozi started a hunger strike.

Behroozi was arrested on August 21, 2021, at his house after posting a video on social media in which he criticized the Supreme Leader for banning Covid-19 vaccines from other countries.
In a trial held in absentia, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Qazvin, headed by Judge Esmail Amini, sentenced Behroozi to one year in prison on the charge of “offensive statements against the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

 

 

Soori Babai Chegini Arrested for Protesting Compulsory Hejab

On July 13, 2022, Security and Intelligence Police arrested Soori Babai Chegini, a resident of Qazvin, and transferred her to an unidentified location. The police searched her brother’s house and confiscated some of their belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 13, 2022, Soori Babai Chegini was arrested by security forces.

One day before her arrest, in a video post on social media she had shown her protest against compulsory veiling by removing her scarf, as many other women have recently.

The charges against Chegini are still unknown.

Chegini had been summoned by the court on a prior occasion. Her husband, Mohammadreza Behroozi was also fined and sentenced to one year in prison by Qazvin Revolutionary Court.

 

Morad Behroozi Convicted for Criticizing Supreme Leader

Recently, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Qazvin sentenced Mohammad-Reza Morad Behroozi to one year in prison. Moreover, his wife, Soori Babai Chegini was summoned to Branch 2 of the Public and Revolutionary Court in Mohammadiyeh County of Qazvin Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in a trial in absentia, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Qazvin, headed by Judge Esmail Amini, sentenced Behroozi to one year in prison on the charge of “offensive statements against the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Additionally, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of Mohammadiyeh ordered Behroozi to pay a fine in the amount of 10 million tomans.

Beroozi’s wife, Soori Babai Chegini has also been accused of “propaganda against the regime”.

Behroozi was arrested on August 21, 2021, at his house following posting a video on social media in which he criticized the Supreme Leader for banning the foreign Covid-19 vaccines.

Behroozi is a resident of Qazvin and the father of three children.