Iran’s judicial system does not allow protesters and dissidents to choose their own lawyers during trials and can even sentence defendants to death.
According to Iranian law, those on trial for crimes against national security can only be represented in court by lawyers with the “approval” of the chief justice of the Supreme Court himself. Almost all dissidents have been accused of acts against national security, including insulting the Supreme Leader and illegal assembly, among other crimes.
The restrictions also apply to protesters charged with “corruption on earth” or “war against God”, both of which are sentenced to death.Iran’s revolutionary courts have ruled out 50 prisoners for such crimes since November. More than one protester was sentenced to death.
Two protesters, Mohsen Shekari and Majidreza Rahnavard, who were hanged in December, were both denied the right to choose their own lawyers. They were attended to by court-appointed attorneys. The two young men said that on the day of their trial in court, the lawyer’s role was apparently limited to maintaining the appearance of a fair trial.
Iran’s judicial system, controlled by the supreme leaderoversees both judges and prosecutors, working closely with security and intelligence agencies.
Families of some protesters during the trial said lawyers representing their loved ones made little effort to present a proper defense, and their only statement in court was a pre-determined outcome. It claims to have been dictated by judicial and security officials to ensure that the two youths were hanged. intended to instill fear in people Family members and others say they should be kept out of the protest.
Mohsen Shekari was hanged in December for allegedly using a knife during protests
Mashara Karami sentenced to death in Alborz province for allegedly taking part in murder of Bajiji militia member, son Mohammad Medhi Karami recently told Etemad newspaper He attempted to contact his son’s court-appointed “approved attorney” for a week after his verdict was announced to proceed with his appeal, but received no response from him. The attorney appointed by I was given the address of his office and refused to go there and tell me what my son told me about what he used in his defense.”
“It’s a matter of life and death for young people. Shouldn’t the accused’s family be allowed to have their own lawyers?” said Karami, who said his son had pledged his innocence to himself.
Lawyer and law professor Nemat Ahmadi told the Arman-e Emruz newspaper in December that some of the “approved” lawyers, even if they were appointed by the court rather than the defendant, worked for very high fees. said there is. “We recently heard that [such] Attorneys demanded $250,000 from the defendant’s family.”
Ahmadi also said one of those lawyers, when asked by a judge at a recent trial if he had spoken to his client, said he had met with his client, who had been hospitalized “30 minutes before the trial.” pointed out that
Just a week ago, defense attorney Amir Laesian announced that authorities had finally accepted him and his colleague Rosa Etemad Ansari as their attorneys. Imprisoned dissident Toomaji Salehi Then, after reading the case file, they end up meeting with Toomaj.
The lawyer’s announcement comes amid international pressure on the Islamic Republic to release Toomaj, who was arrested in late October. Corruption” and “war against God” can be punishable by death.
“This is the first important milestone,” said Ye-One Rhie, a member of the German Bundestag who recently accepted the rapper’s political patronage. Tweeted about the new development after the announcement.
