Iranian Reformist Tajzadeh Faces New Charges Amid Ongoing Jail Time

Iran's judiciary has summoned political activist and prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh to face fresh charges even as he remains incarcerated.

The new charges against him include "gathering and colluding to act against national security" and "propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic."

According to a report on Tajzadeh's Telegram channel, he received the summons on March 6. He has to appear in court on March 9 to answer the charges.

However, Tajzadeh, who has frequently called for structural changes in the country, refused to appear in court.

He stated that he would not accept the summons and anticipates further imprisonment based on these new charges.

In September 2022, the activist was sentenced to five years in prison on charges including "collusion against national security," "spreading falsehoods," and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic."

Tajzadeh's summons comes shortly after publicly labeling the March 1 elections as a "historic failure" for the country's governance system, holding Khamenei responsible. The elections saw a record-low voter turnout of around 40 percent.

In a letter published on his Telegram channel on February 18, Tajzadeh accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of neglecting Iran's pressing issues and rendering the electoral process meaningless.

Khamenei, who has the last say on all matters in Iran, has withheld "the contributions of capable individuals" and hindered "essential structural reform," said Tajzadeh.

The political reformist has been repeatedly arrested since 2009 and subjected to harsh sentences.