Internet activist sentenced to 10 years & 6 months in prison

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Mohammad (Kourosh) Nasiri, Internet activist who was detained for being a member of the Imam Naghi Facebook page, has been handed a 10.6-year prison sentence.

Mohammad Nasiri was detained at his home on May 23, 2012 and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin prison, which is under the jurisdiction of the IRGC Intelligence unit. He spent 30 days in solitary cells in wards 209 and 240 of Evin prison.

According to information provided to CHRR, on May 23, 2012, Ministry of Intelligence officials violently raided the home of Mohammad Nasiri at 3am by breaking down the door. They beat Nasiri and his brother while causing extreme stress to his stunned family, and transferred him to Evin prison.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Pir Abassi handed Nasiri a 10.6-year prison sentence along with 37 lashes and 350 thousand Tomans in penalties. The charges against him were “insulting the holy”, “gathering with the intent of endangering national security”, “insulting Ayatollah Khomeini”, “insulting the leadership”, “propaganda against the regime”, “insulting the presidency,” and “procession of alcohol.”

Mohammad Nasiri, prisoner of conscience underwent severe psychological duress and physical torture when he was interrogated in solitary confinement. Since then he has spent about a year behind bars in Ward 350 of Evin prison.