Four political defendants in Alborz sentenced to fourteen years and ten months of imprisonment

Hengaw: Sunday, December 1, 2024  

Nemat Afshar, who suffers an eye-injury from the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, along with Mehdi Tohidi Asl, Azam Ahooghalandar, and Hossein Jafari, have been sentenced to a total of fourteen years and ten months of imprisonment by the judiciary of Islamic Republic of Iran.  

According to a report obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Azam Ahooghalandar to six years and two months in prison on charges of “establishing a group with the intent to lead activities aimed at undermining security.” Similarly, Nemat Afshar was sentenced to three years and six months, Mehdi Tohidi Asl to three years and two months, and Hossein Jafari to two years, all on charges of “forming a group with the intent to disrupt security.” These sentences were handed down by Judge Narimani.

As additional punishment, each of them was also sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country and a prohibition from engaging in online activities.  

Meanwhile, Mohammad Azizi, the fifth defendant in the case, was acquitted of all charges, and a no-prosecution order was issued in his case.  

Mohammad Azizi, Mehdi Tohidi Asl, Azam Ahoogalander, Hossein Jafari, and Nemat Afshar were arrested on Saturday, September 16, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. They were later released temporarily from prison upon posting bail.  

It is noteworthy that Nemat Afshar was wounded on September 20, 2022, by direct shotgun fire. Despite being seriously injured with dozens of pellets embedded in his face and head, he was arrested amid physical assault and transferred to a security detention center.  

Afshar endured three months in detention with severe injuries. During this time, he lost sight in one eye and suffered the breaking of a finger and several ribs under torture aimed at forcing a confession.  

He was eventually released after three months under what was described as a "pardon decree." Before his re-arrest, he underwent multiple surgeries to address the injuries sustained during his initial detention.