Sajad Haeri's 30-month prison sentence upheld on appeal

Hengaw – Monday, July 20, 2026

The Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld, without modification, the prison sentence imposed on Sajad Haeri, a Kurdish writer, theater director, and Kurdish language instructor from Ilam. Under the final ruling, he must serve two years and six months in prison.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the appellate court recently reviewed Haeri's case and upheld the original verdict in its entirety. In addition to serving two years and six months in prison, he must also comply with the supplementary penalties previously imposed.

Haeri was previously sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Damavand, in Tehran Province, on charges of "propaganda against the state" and "disturbing public opinion through the dissemination of false information." He received a total sentence of two years and six months' imprisonment. The court also imposed supplementary penalties, including a two-year ban on membership in political and social parties, groups, and organizations, as well as a two-year prohibition on all online activities. Those penalties have now become final.

IRGC Intelligence agents violently raided Haeri's home in Damavand and arrested him on July 12, 2025. During the arrest, they confiscated his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, laptop, and more than 100 books related to Kurdish language education.

After undergoing interrogation, Haeri was released on bail of 500 million tomans on July 21, 2025. Two weeks later, on August 3, 2025, he was summoned again by judicial authorities, informed of an additional charge, and released temporarily after posting bail of one billion tomans.