Court of Appeals Upholds Prison and Flogging Sentences for Masoud Vazifeh and Sohrab Hassan-Khani

HRANA – The Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld the sentences of Masoud Vazifeh and Sohrab Hassan-Khani in full. The two citizens had previously been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a combined total of six years and eight months in prison, 114 lashes, and a fine of 100 million tomans.

Masoud Vazifeh received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison plus a 50 million toman fine for “spreading false information.”

Sohrab Hassan Khani received eight months in prison and 40 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison plus a 50 million toman fine for “spreading false information.”

The initial verdicts were issued on April 20, 2025, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Mr. Vazifeh’s subsequent appeal for retrial was later rejected.

Both men had been released from Evin Prison on bail, Vazifeh on February 5, 2025, and Hassan Khani on December 30, 2024.

They were originally arrested by security forces in December 2024 for staging a sit-in protest against death sentences issued for defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Town case.” Following their arrest, they were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison).

Masoud Vazifeh has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution due to his civil activities.

Four Protesters Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

HRANA News Agency – Masoud Vazifeh, Sohrab Hassan-Khani, Sina Maleki, and Mojtaba Ebrahimi — political defendants — were sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a total of 9 years in prison, 184 lashes, and paying a fine. These individuals had previously staged a sit-in to protest death sentences issued against defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Complex” case. They were later released after being arrested.

Based on the ruling issued by Iman Afshari, the presiding judge of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court:

  1. Masoud Vazifeh was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison plus a 50-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods.” He did not attend the court sessions, and the verdict was issued in absentia.

  2. Sohrab Hassan-Khani was sentenced to eight months in prison and 40 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison along with a 50-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods.”

  3. Sina Maleki was sentenced to six months in prison and 30 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace.” His sentence has been suspended for three years. During the suspension period, he is also banned from using a smartphone.

  4. Mojtaba Ebrahimi was sentenced to 14 months in prison and a 30-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods,” and eight months in prison and 40 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace” (with time served counted toward the sentence). His sentence has also been suspended for three years, and he is banned from using a smartphone during the suspension period.

Masoud Vazifeh was released from Evin Prison on bail on February 5, Mojtaba Ebrahimi on January 4, Sohrab Hassan-Khani on December 30, 2024, and Sina Maleki during the winter.

These individuals had been arrested by security forces in December 2024 after staging a sit-in to protest the death sentences in the “Ekbatan Complex” case. Following their arrest, they were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Masoud Vazifeh has previously faced arrest and judicial action due to his activism.

It is worth noting that in November 2024, attorney Babak Paknia reported that death sentences had been issued for Milad Armoun, Alireza Kafaei, Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, and Alireza Barmarz Pournak— all defendants in the “Ekbatan Complex” case. These sentences were issued by Branch 13 of the Tehran Criminal Court.