Morteza Parvin and Taher Naghavi Sentenced to a Total of 12 Years in Prison

Morteza Parvin, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Taher Naghavi (Naqavi), a defense attorney, have been sentenced to a combined total of 12 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to the ruling issued by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, both individuals received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” In addition, Mr. Naghavi has been banned from leaving the country for two years and stripped of social rights and political party membership for two years.

A source close to Naghavi’s family informed HRANA that he was recently scheduled to be transferred to a hospital for medical examinations. However, the transfer was blocked when he refused to wear a prison uniform and use handcuffs and leg cuffs.

Both Mr. Parvin and Mr. Naghavi were arrested by security forces on February 6, 2024, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

On July 13, a hearing was held to address the charges against Mr. Naghavi at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. His final court session took place in late September. Recently, Naghavi faced new charges initiated by prison authorities, including “disruption of public order” and “insulting prison officers.” A few weeks ago, an officer at Evin Prison, identified as Reza Asadi Naderabadi, physically assaulted Mr. Naghavi following a verbal altercation, after which Naghavi was transferred to Evin’s quarantine section.

In late May, a court session was also held to examine the charges against Parvin related to the joint case with Naghavi at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The sentence was issued based on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

In a recent post on his personal page, Mr. Taher Afshar confirmed that he was informed of his sentence in person.

His trial, along with that of fellow activist Vadud Asadi, took place on May 21, 2023, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. Both individuals faced charges in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Earlier, on April 20, a preliminary hearing was held for Mr. Taher Afshar and three other Azerbaijani-Turk activists—Vadud Asadi, Saeed Jamalzadeh, and Behnam Babashpour—at Branch 5 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

Mr. Taher Afshar was arrested by security forces in Urmia on February 6, 2024. He was then transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, a section managed by the Ministry of Intelligence, where he remained in detention for 22 days before being released on bail.

In a previous case, he was sentenced to six months in prison by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court. After serving part of that sentence, he has been under electronic monitoring with restrictions on his movement outside of prison. Recently, Mr. Taher Afshar was barred from employment with the Snapp platform due to a “disqualification” issued by Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (NAJA).

Update on the Latest Status of Journalist Reza Valizadeh in Evin Prison

Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian journalist, has been arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after returning to Iran. Despite his extensive background with various media outlets, Valizadeh has been denied access to a lawyer since his detention.

Having lived abroad for several years, Valizadeh returned to Iran in February-March last year. Upon his arrival, he was interrogated by agents from the IRGC’s Intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence. Although released after making a formal pledge to appear for future proceedings, it has been reported that several months later, he was rearrested by a security agency roughly one month ago and sent to Evin Prison. Authorities have still not granted him legal representation.

A source close to Valizadeh’s family revealed that his case is currently being handled by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, overseen by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. To date, the specific charges against him remain undisclosed.

Prior to leaving Iran, Valizadeh was arrested in 2007 and later released on bail. He is suspected to hold dual citizenship and has worked with media organizations such as Radio France, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).