Legal Cases Filed Against Two Lawyers for Reporting on January Detainees

According to the “Emtedad” news outlet, the Islamic Republic’s judiciary has filed legal cases against two human rights lawyers, Amir Raisian and Milad Panahipour, for reporting on the case of Ehsan Hosseinipour, a protester detained during the January demonstrations, and for signing a statement protesting the judicial process for recent detainees. The two lawyers were released on bail after being summoned to the Security Court.

Ehsan Hosseinipour is a 19-year-old protester arrested during the January protests. According to Emtedad, he is at serious risk of execution. The statement protesting the judicial proceedings refers to a letter signed by 49 attorneys and published last February, in which the signatories objected to the “unjust trial processes” of protesters.

Emtedad reports that the cases against the two lawyers were initiated after both posted on their Instagram stories in February, reporting that “Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court had barred a chosen lawyer from entering the case of Ehsan Hosseinipour.” Milad Panahipour had intended to represent Hosseinipour as his chosen counsel, while Amir Raisian had reshared Panahipour’s post.

Following the killing and detention of thousands during the January protests, human rights lawyers have repeatedly spoken out against unfair judicial procedures. Field reports from domestic Iranian media at the time indicated large crowds of families gathering outside courthouses in various cities. However, the subsequent 40-day war and the ongoing nationwide internet shutdown have created severe challenges for reporting on the status of detained protesters and political prisoners.

Emtedad interviewed Mohammad Behzadi-Rad, lawyer for Amir Raisian, and Mostafa Nili, lawyer for Milad Panahipour.

Behzadi-Rad stated regarding his client: “Branch 3 of the Security Court has charged Mr. Raisian with ‘publishing lies’ for reporting on Mr. Ehsan Hosseinipour’s case, and ‘propaganda against the state’ for signing the protest statement of the 49 lawyers in February. This occurs even though the information provided about Mr. Hosseinipour was intended solely to prevent the violation of the rights of a defendant facing the death penalty. Furthermore, signing a statement in defense of the right to a fair trial for detainees is in line with professional legal duties and should not be considered a crime.”

Mostafa Nili, representing Milad Panahipour, told Emtedad: “The charges against Mr. Panahipour are similar to those against Mr. Raisian. He faces ‘publishing lies’ and ‘propaganda against the state’ for his reporting on the Ehsan Hosseinipour case. After appearing at Branch 3 of the Security Court, both Mr. Panahipour and Mr. Raisian were released on bail pending a final ruling.”