Farangis Mazloum, Mother of Iranian Political Prisoner Soheil Arabi Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

According to Iran Human Rights (IHR), on July 8, Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced six political activists and the mother of a political prisoner.

According to the judgement, Farangis Mazloum, the mother of political prisoner Soheil Arabi, was sentenced to six years imprisonment (five years enforceable) on charges of "conspiracy to commit a crime through contact with the Mojahedin Khalq (MEK) and propaganda activities against the system and in favour of opposition groups."

Speaking to IHR, an informed source said: "Ms Mazloum doesn’t know the other detainees, and it is not at all clear why six political activists have been tried and convicted along with Ms Mazloum, whose only crime is to follow up on her son's case. Of the people in this case, the only person who has previously seen Farangis Mazloum is Zahra Akbarinejad, who went to Ms Mazloum’s house to visit as the family of a political prisoner."

"The judgement was made during an unlawful process, without the presence or knowledge of Ms Mazloum," the source added. “Consequently, Ms. Mazloum's son lost consciousness in prison after hearing the news and was transferred to a health centre. Soheil has an acute heart problem and there’s also a concern for his health.

Farangis Mazloum was previously arrested at her home on July 22, 2019, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. She was eventually released on a 250 million Toman bail on October 8, 2019.

The six political activists to receive their sentences from Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran along with Farangis Mazloum are Dr Hani Yazarlou and his son, Hood Yazarlou, Mohammad Vali Gholamnejad, Sedigheh Moradi, Mehdi Khavas Sefat and Zahra Akbarinejad Dorcheh.

Dr Hani Yazarlou and his son, Hood Yazarlou were sentenced to one year in prison each on charges of "propaganda activities against the system and in favour of the system's dissident groups."

Mohammad Vali Gholamnejad, Sedigheh Moradi, Mehdi Khavas Sefat and Zahra Akbarinejad Dorcheh were each sentenced to 95 days in prison on the same charges.

While the verdicts in all the cases are preliminary, their legal representatives have filed their complaints.