Tehran: Behfar Lalahzari and Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi Sentenced to Prison

Hengaw: Sunday, December 25, 2023

Behfar Lalahzari, a former political prisoner, and his wife, Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi, a civil activist, have received a collective sentence of ten years in prison from the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The couple has been in detention for the past three months.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, sentenced Behfar Lalahzari and Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi to four years in prison each for "gathering and collusion against internal security." Additionally, they were each sentenced to one year in prison for "propaganda against the government," resulting in a total prison term of 10 years.

In accordance with the Consolidation of Sentences Law, the most severe penalty, amounting to four years of imprisonment for each individual, will be applied.

Behfar Lalahzari and Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi were arrested on September 19 of this year at their home in Tehran by the intelligence protection forces of the police. During the arrest, their personal belongings, including documents and mobile phones, were confiscated.

Following seven days of detention, Behfar Lalahzari was transferred to Evin prison, while Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi was later moved to Evin prison after a period of confinement in Qarchak Varamin prison. Their combined detention period now stands at 95 days.

The arrest and subsequent trial of Behfar Lalahzari and Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran stem from their activities in previous years.