Civil activist in Tehran arrested to serve prison sentence

Hengaw: Monday, February 3, 2025

Mehdi Mahmoudian, a civil rights activist and journalist based in Tehran, was summoned, arrested, and transferred to Evin Prison to serve an eight-month prison sentence.

According to a report received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Monday, February 3, 2025, Mahmoudian was arrested after responding to a summons from the Execution of Sentences Branch and was immediately transferred to Evin Prison.

His lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed that his client was summoned today by the prosecution office, and after appearing at the Execution of Sentences Branch, he was taken into custody. Nili emphasized that this occurred despite a prior agreement granting Mahmoudian a one-month extension to attend to personal matters.

Mahmoudian had previously received an official summons to begin serving his sentence. He was convicted by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, and sentenced to eight months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

In addition to the prison sentence, he was subjected to a two-year travel ban, a prohibition on using smartphones, and a ban on membership in political and social groups.

Mahmoudian was previously arrested in May 2024 after appearing at the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office but was released the following day on bail.

It is important to note that this civil rights activist has a history of imprisonment due to his advocacy work and has previously faced judicial prosecution for interviews about problems the Baha’i community face in Iran.