Welcome to The Farda Briefing. This is an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.Click to subscribe Here.
I am Gornaz Esfandiari, senior correspondent for RFE/RL. Here’s what I’ve been following him for the past week and what’s next.
big problem
Iran arrested at least 44 Independent lawyers since ongoing opposition protests erupted in September.
About half of the lawyers have been released on bail and the rest are still in prison. They include Mohammad Ali Kamifilji, who represented imprisoned journalist Nilfar Hamedi, and the previously arrested prominent human rights lawyer Mostafa Niri.
Several lawyers who took part in lawyer-led protests in Tehran and the southern city of Shiraz last month were also arrested, Sharq reported.
why it matters: By imprisoning independent lawyers, activists say Iran is denying political detainees the right to a fair trial. Many of those arrested and charged in the ongoing crackdown on the protests rely on state-appointed lawyers who have reportedly done little to defend them.In some cases, lawyers reportedly testified for their clients.
“As those on the front lines of the fight for justice, their arrest will have a detrimental effect on the thousands of protesters who are currently in prison, some of whom believe that the ‘laws’ and systems face the death penalty without experiencing the complexities of injustice,” Iranian human rights NGO based in Oslo mentioned in a recent report.
what’s next: State pressure on lawyers handling sensitive political cases is nothing new. In recent years, Tehran has imprisoned prominent lawyers and human rights defenders, including Nasrin Sotoudeh and Abdolphatha Soltani. Meanwhile, Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi was forced into exile. But the current crackdown on lawyers appears to be the most widespread in years. At least two of his lawyers arrested in recent months have received prison sentences. More lawyers are likely to be arrested and imprisoned in the coming weeks.
Stories you may have missed
- Jadi MilmilaniOne of Iran’s leading technologists, considered a champion of digital rights, said he was sentenced to six years in prison for comments he posted on social media. Milmilani announced his sentence in a video message posted online and hopes it will be overturned on appeal.Mirmilani was arrested amid a state crackdown on dissident protests. . He was released on bail on his December 14th.
- Robert Murray, the US special envoy for Iran, told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda: December 22nd interview The deal to revive the nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers is not dead. But Murray said the US government was skeptical that Tehran was “ready or capable” of reaching an agreement.
what we see
Amnesty International warned protesters Mohammad Gobadhoo There is imminent danger of execution. The 22-year-old was sentenced to death after Amnesty International said his lawyer was not present at the trial, Iran’s Supreme Court dismissed his appeal on Dec. 24 and upheld the sentence. . Ghobadloo was charged with “attacking police with a car, killing one officer and injuring five.”
Amnesty International has expressed serious concern that Gobadhoo, who is said to have mental health problems, was subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in custody. his mother He pleaded for his life in a video message posted online. in the meantime, three European politicians backing Gobadhoo in an attempt to protect him from prosecution have urged Iran to overturn his death sentence.
why it matters: Ghobadloo is one of 11 protesters sentenced to death in Iran. Two of his have already been publicly executed in a move widely condemned.Amnesty said 15 more protesters He has been charged with “serious crimes” and is “awaiting or undergoing trial.”
The rights watchdog said the “fake trial” of protesters was “designed to intimidate those taking part in the popular uprising that has rocked Iran.”
That’s all from me for now. If you have any questions, comments or tips, don’t forget to send them.
Until next time,
Gornas Esfandiari
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