Father of Killed Protester Handed 18-Year Prison Sentence

The Iranian authorities have sentenced Manouchehr Bakhtiari, the father of a 27-year-old man killed in a crackdown on protests in November 2019, to 18 years in prison and 74 lashes.

The human rights network HRANA reported that Bakhtiari, who is incarcerated in Qazvin prison, was informed of his sentence on January 9.

The man was given a 10-year prison term for "gathering and colluding to commit a crime against security and forming and managing a group on social media with the intention of disrupting the country's security." 

Additionally, he was sentenced to one year and 74 lashes for "spreading lies," two years for "propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic and disturbing public peace," and five years for "collaboration with groups opposed to the Islamic Republic."

If the sentence is upheld on appeal and Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code is enforced, he would serve the most severe single sentence, which in his case is 10 years’ imprisonment.

His son Pouya Bakhtiari was fatally shot on November 19, 2019, on the second day of widespread protests triggered by the government's sudden decision to raise gas prices. 

Manouchehr Bakhtiari was initially arrested on April 29, 2021, for seeking justice for her son.

He was later sentenced to three years and a half in prison, two years and six months in exile. He was also imposed a travel ban of two years.

Pouya Bakhtiari's mother, Nahid Shirpisheh, is currently serving a prison sentence in Zanjan.