Judicial Ordeal Continues for Iranian Who Suffered Eye Injury During Protest

A young Iranian protester who sustained an eye injury during the 2022 nationwide protests has been kept behind bars for weeks despite experiencing severe pain, his lawyer says. 

Payam Derfashan, the legal counsel representing Amir Velayati, said on February 7 that his client is being kept in the general ward of Tehran’s Evin prison. 

"This individual continues to suffer as pellets remain lodged in his body," Derfashan said. 

Velayati was among hundreds of Iranians who sustained severe eye injuries after being hit by pellets, tear gas canisters, paintball bullets or other projectiles used by security forces amid a bloody crackdown on the mainly peaceful demonstrations that rocked Iran for months.

Velayati was first arrested on May 18, 2023, when government forces raided his home, and was released on bail in July.

He had been charged with "propaganda against the system and actions against national security." 

Velayati was taken to prison again after being summoned to the Evin Prosecutor's Office on January 23. 

"Regrettably, it remains unclear who ordered his return to prison to add up more charges to his case. Velayati has languished in prison in a state of uncertainty for several weeks now. He is in pain."

The lawyer also said he had been barred from entering the prosecutor's office to assist Velayati.