Kefayat Malek Mohammadi’s Lawyer Objects to Her Five Year Prison Sentence

Nasim Ghanavi, lawyer for Kefayat Malek Mohammadi, spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran about the latest situation in the case of her client, who was arrested with her husband during last year’s Ashura protests (27 December 2009). “My client was found guilty of illegal assembly and conspiracy to take action against national security in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Courts. She was sentenced to five years in prison. Considering Ms. Mohammadi’s age, about 60 years old, I objected to the ruling and the case was sent to Branch 54 of the Appeals Court,” said Ghanavi.

She added, “Ali Asghar Mahmoudian, Kefayat Malek Mohammadi’s husband, has been in temporary detention since 31 December 2009 and was charged with moharebeh (enmity against God), illegal assembly, and colluding to disturb national security; his case is being reviewed in Branch 30 of the Revolutionary Courts.”

During last year’s post-election protest gatherings, more than 5,000 people were arrested. Some of those detained have been in prison for months and their defense lawyers’ efforts for their release have been fruitless on grounds of their participation in peaceful demonstrations.