An Iranian cleric and former seminary instructor removed his turban in a video statement after an appeals court upheld his prison sentence and clerical defrocking order.
Mohammad Taghi Akbarnejad’s appeals court confirmed the original sentence of 23 months and six days in prison, along with three years of defrocking.
He was convicted of “weakening the Islamic Republic,” “insulting leaders of the Islamic Republic,” and “defaming the clergy.”
Akbarnejad was released from Qom prison on bail in March 2024. He had been arrested in February 2023 by intelligence agents from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In the video released after the appeals ruling, Akbarnejad addressed the public.
“I cannot close my eyes to reality. I see fathers in this society ashamed before their families,” he said.
“After decades, people still struggle to meet basic needs like water and electricity, and crushing inflation has driven them to desperation,” he added.
Referring to his clerical robes, he said, “If I am to remain silent and not speak out, what use is this clothing to me?”
The cleric had previously sent audio messages to media outlets describing pressure from security agencies to extract forced confessions.
Akbarnejad said he chose to stand with the people rather than flatter those in power, despite the personal cost.
The Special Clerical Court oversees cases involving religious officials in Iran’s theocratic system.
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