Unfair Trial of Mojtaba Dadashi and His Mistreatment in Sabzevar Prison

Mojtaba Dadashi, a political prisoner in Sabzevar, is held alongside individuals convicted of common crimes, according to a source familiar with his case who spoke with IHRDC. Dadashi was summoned to the Sabzevar General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in February 2019 on the charges of insulting the Supreme Leader, insulting heads of the branches of the Iranian government, and disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic. These charges stemmed from a video Dadashi had posted on social media in which he stated that the Islamic Republic is neither Islamic nor a republic.  In the video, which was addressed to Iran’s Basij and IRGC forces, Dadashi argued that a government that suppresses workers, teachers, students and farmers was not Islamic, and that the Islamic Republic only served the interests of the ruling class.

Dadashi appeared at the prosecutor’s office on February 13, 2019, and he was detained and taken to Sabzevar prison. Dadashi was temporarily released, and he described the appalling conditions he had witnessed in a series of tweets. For instance, he stated that several inmates were sent to take a shower together, and that they were given a single dirty towel to share. The authorities also shaved Dadashi’s head during the detention.

Dadashi’s trial was held on March 16, 2019, at the Sabzevar Revolutionary Court. Dadashi was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and 74 lashes. His trial was closed. Dadashi’s university professor as well as a number of his classmates wanted to attend the proceedings, but they were not allowed in the courtroom.

Dadashi was detained and sent to prison for serving his three-year sentence on April 13, 2019, after responding to the court’s summons.