The Appellate Court of East Azerbaijan Province has confirmed the prison sentences for Milad Jalili, a Tabriz resident, and Salar Taher-Afshahr, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. Jalili and Taher-Afshahr were originally sentenced to eight and six months in prison, respectively.

According to the verdict from Branch 32 of the East Azerbaijan Province Appellate Court on April 29, Taher-Afshahr received a six-month sentence for “aiding in the dissemination of propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili was given an eight-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime by performing political rap music in support of convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili was acquitted of charges of “acting against national security by inciting people to violence and unrest.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days. February 28, 2024, he was released on bond.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.