HRANA – Abolfazl Ranjbari, an attorney-at-law, has been detained for more than six months and remains held in Tabriz Prison. On November 18, the second session of his trial was convened at Branch 3 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court.

Based on information received by HRANA, the second hearing in Mr. Ranjbari’s case took place on Tuesday, November 18, at Branch 3 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court. In this session, the judge changed Mr. Ranjbari’s charge from “espionage” to “aiding and abetting in spreading corruption on earth (efsad fel-arz).” In the first court session, he had defended himself against the initial espionage charge.

A knowledgeable source close to the attorney confirmed this information to HRANA, stating: “The accusation against Mr. Ranjbari stems from his participation in an academic conference and the publication and translation of his articles in the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

Abolfazl Ranjbari, an attorney and writer, was arrested by security forces in Tabriz on May 4 of this year.