Suspects in Iran’s Controversial “Ekbatan Case” Freed on Bail

Iranian authorities have reportedly released three suspects jailed in the so-called Ekbatan case related to the death of a security force member during the 2022 nationwide protests.

Reza Shafakhah, the lawyer representing one of the accused, Hossein Nemati, announced on February 7 that his client had been released on bail from Karaj’s Ghezelhesar prison, near Tehran.

Some reports said that two other suspects in the case – Alireza Kefaei and Alireza Barmarzpournak – had also been temporarily freed.

A total of 14 suspects have been indicted over the alleged killing of a member of the paramilitary Basij force during protests in Tehran's Ekbatan town on October 28, 2022. 

The judiciary has said they had been charged with "waging war against God," "participation in murder," and "collusion against national security," offenses that can carry a death sentence.

Human rights groups have called for the release of all the accused, raising concern about the lack of fairness of the judicial process.