Death sentence of Shahab Nadali Jozani overturned; Mahmoud Mehrabi acquitted
Hengaw: Thursday, November 21, 2024
The Supreme Court of Islamic Republic of Iran has overturned the death sentence of Shahab Nadali, a political prisoner from Hamedan, while simultaneously acquitting Mahmoud Mehrabi, another political prisoner held in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, of the charge of “corruption on earth”.
According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the death sentence of 42-year-old Shahab Nadali was overturned by the 39th Branch of the Supreme Court.
In a separate development, 35-year-old Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner from Mobarakeh, Isfahan, was acquitted of “corruption on earth” by an appellate branch of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.
Nadali’s case has been referred to an appellate court for reconsideration, with a new hearing scheduled for December 3, 2024. Nadali was initially sentenced to death in mid-February 2023 by the 26th Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “armed rebellion” for alleged membership in the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) and was additionally sentenced to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion.” He was arrested on June 7, 2023, by Intelligence forces in Hamedan and later transferred to Evin Prison.
Regarding Mehrabi’s acquittal, his lawyer, Babak Farsani, stated: “My client, Mahmoud Mehrabi, has been acquitted of the charge of ‘corruption on earth’ by the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan acting as an appellate branch.” He further explained that “other charges against him will be handled by the Criminal Court Branch Two and the Revolutionary Court in Mobarakeh.”
Mehrabi was sentenced to death in mid-May 2024 by the Fifth Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan on charges of “corruption on earth.” Reports suggest that Mehrabi was targeted as a result of prior whistleblowing activities against senior officials in Mobarakeh, making him a victim of fabricated charges by extrajudicial entities within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In January 2024, Mehrabi faced a new case with charges including “publishing criminal content in the media” and “insulting religious leaders and sanctities.” He was first arrested on February 1, 2023, by security forces in Isfahan, and released on bail on March 15, 2023, but re-arrested within hours and returned to Dastgerd Prison.
