Three protesters from Piranshahr sentenced to imprisonment and flogging

17:25 - 15 May 2023

Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of Piranshahr, presided over by Judge Reza Ghahramani Sa'atloo, sentenced three protesting citizens named "Mohammad (Shirzad) Azarbarzin," 26 years old, son of Abdolqader, "Vafa (Abdullah) Rasouli Azar," 22 years old, son of Hussein, and "Abdolsamie Rasouli," 22 years old, son of Mostafa, to imprisonment and flogging.

According to the issued verdict, Mohammad Azarbarzin was sentenced to fifteen months and one day of disciplinary imprisonment and a fine of two million rials payable to the Islamic Republic of Iran's government treasury for the charge of "possessing a handmade Molotov cocktail," seven months and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment for the charge of "rebellion against a government official," and seven months and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment and forty lashes in a concealed location, away from public view, and excluding the head and private parts, for the charge of "participation in disrupting public order and tranquility."

Vafa Rasouli Azar was sentenced to eleven months and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment for the charge of "deliberately setting fire to the intelligence department's banner," seven months and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment for the charge of "rebellion against government officials," and seven months and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment and forty lashes in a concealed location, away from public view, and excluding the head and private parts, for the charge of "participation in disrupting public order and tranquility."

Abdolsamie Rasouli was sentenced to three years and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment for the charge of "participation in the destruction and looting of the wheat store," seven months and sixteen days of disciplinary imprisonment, and forty lashes in a concealed location, away from public view, and excluding the head and private parts, for the charge of "participation in disrupting public order and tranquility."

The court session for these three protesters took place on May 1st, at Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of Piranshahr.

Mohammad Azarbarzin, a resident of Piranshahr, was arrested on Sunday, November 27, 2022, by security forces and transferred from one of the security detention centers in Piranshahr to Naghadeh Prison after completing the interrogation process. He is currently serving his sentence in this prison.

Vafa Rasouli Azar, a resident of Piranshahr, was arrested by security forces on the morning of Wednesday, January 18, 2023, and transferred to one of the security detention centers in Urmia for interrogation.

After two months of interrogation, Vafa Rasouli Azar was transferred to Naghadeh Prison and temporarily released on Friday, April 28, 2023 upon depositing a bail.

Abdolsamie Rasouli, a resident of Piranshahr, was arrested by security forces on the morning of Tuesday, February 7, 2023 and after completing the interrogation process, he was temporarily released upon depositing a bail.

Photo: Mohammad (Shirzad) Azarbarzin and Vafa (Abdullah) Rasouli Azar