Eight Iranian demonstrators face death penalty

Eight prisoners from Iran’s 2022 nationwide uprising that followed the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody were brought before a revolutionary court on Sunday, some of them facing charges that could carry the death penalty.

The individuals – Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Amin Sokhanvar, Ali Harati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Amir Shah-Velayati, Ehsan Ravazjian and Hossein Ardestani – were tried by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Among them, Gholami Simiyari and Sahlabadi were charged with “armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic,” which can lead to harsh penalties, including the death penalty.

During the trial, Gholami Simiyari denied all charges and stated that her confessions were extracted through pressure and torture by security officials and through prolonged solitary confinement.

Sources close to the protesters’ families said the six other defendants face various charges, including “membership of a rebel group, gathering and conspiracy to commit crimes against national security, propaganda against the Islamic Republic, disturbing public order, security and public peace.”

At the end of the trial, the judge informed the defendants and their lawyers that the trial was over and a verdict would be announced soon.

Four people – Harati Mokhtari, Mohammad Hosseini, Shah-Velayati and Ardestani – were released on bail. However, Gholami Simiyari, Sahlabadi, Sokhanvar and Ravazjian remain detained in Evin Prison more than a year after their arrest.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly forced Prisoners were coerced into testifying against themselves by recording and broadcasting forced confessions. Three others – Shahin Zahmatkesh, Siamak Taddayon and Siamak Golshani – have also been charged but remain at large.

At least eight people have been hanged on trumped-up charges related to the 2022 nationwide protests, and several other protesters are currently on death row.