Iranian Protester Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison

Iranian authorities have sentenced a protester to a total of 10 years and three months in prison, IranWire has learnt. 

On December 13, Branch 11 of the Zanjan Court of Appeals upheld the sentence issued in the first instance against Mohammad Maleki.

Branch 2 of the Zanjan Revolutionary Court previously sentenced Maleki to eight months for "propaganda against the system," three years and seven months for "gathering and conspiring to act against national security," and six years and one day for "forming and managing the Zanjan neighborhood’s youth [Telegram] channel with the intention of disrupting internal security."

Under the Islamic Republic’s laws, six years and one day of the sentence will be applicable. 

Maleki was arrested in the northwestern city of Zanjan on September 18 by intelligence officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as Iranians came to the streets across the country to mark the first anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement. 

After spending 15 days in solitary confinement in the IRGC intelligence detention center, Maleki was transferred to Zanjan prison. 

While in custody, he was denied legal representation and visits from his family.