Azad Abbasi, a Kurdish language teacher from Dehgolan, Kurdistan Province, and the head of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association, has been repeatedly summoned and detained by security forces in recent years due to his civil rights activities.
Arrest
Abbasi was arrested by security forces in Dehgolan on 19 September 2023 and taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention centre in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province.
After a few days he was transferred to Sanandaj Central Prison, but was later released on bail pending the outcome of his case.
Judicial Process
Some time after his temporary release, he was sentenced in absentia by Branch 102 of the Second Criminal Court of Dehgolan to five years for “acting against national security”, two years for “insulting the leadership”, and one year for “propaganda against the state”.
However, on appeal, he was acquitted of the national security charges, although a total sentence of three years was upheld.
Under Article 134 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, which mandates consolidation of sentences, Abbasi will serve a maximum of two years.
Current Status
On 31 October 2024, Abbasi was transferred to Qorveh Prison to serve his prison sentence.
Notes:
1. Article 499 of the Islamic Penal Code: “Anyone who joins one of the groups, associations, or branches of the associations mentioned in Article 498 shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of three months to five years, unless it is proven that they were unaware of the group’s objectives.”
2. Article 514 of the Islamic Penal Code (Deterrent Punishments and Penalties): “Anyone who insults the Founder of the Islamic Republic or the Leader in any manner shall be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from six months to two years.”
3. Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code: “Anyone who engages in propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or in favour of groups and organisations opposing the state, in any manner, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of three months to one year.”
