Political Activist Should Go Free Says Tehran’s Deputy Prosecutor

Mohammad Hossein Rafiee

Mohammad Hossein Rafiee, a 71-year-old political activist has been illegally held in detention since June 16, 2015, apparently in connection with a prison sentence that is no longer enforceable, according to his daughter.

“[Tehran Prosecutor’s Deputy-Legal Affairs] Mr. Jahani has written to the prosecutor that because of the statute of limitations, the 2003 sentence against my father has been nullified and he should be released,” Ana Maryam Rafiee told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

Mohammad Hossein Rafiee, a retired Tehran University chemistry professor and member of the banned Melli-Mazhabi (National-Religious) Alliance and Iran’s National Peace Council, was sentenced by Judge Salavati, a judge known for his harsh rulings against peaceful activists, to six years in prison on May 25, 2015.  But this case has yet to be reviewed by the appeals court.

Ana Maryam Rafiee told the Campaign that her father’s lawyer had been verbally informed at the Prosecutor’s Office that his latest detention was actually in connection with a four-year prison sentence in 2003 which was never carried out. Due to the passage of time, that sentence is no longer valid according to Article 104 of the New Islamic Penal Code.

“My father is 71-years-old and the poor conditions in Evin Prison’s Ward Eight could cause a serious illness,” Ana Maryam Rafiee warned.

In his latest trial on May 25, 2015, Mohammad Hossein Rafiee, who has been a regular columnist on the National-Religious website was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the state through interviews with opposition media,” “membership and activity in a banned group,” and “use of satellite equipment.”