Executed Iranian Protester's Father Gets to Defend Himself in Court After 8 Months

Mashallah Karami, the father of a young man executed last year, was finally given a chance to defend himself in court on Tuesday after eight months of detention. 

His son, Mohammad Mehdi, was hanged last year.

"The judge heard our arguments, and both my client and I were granted the chance to present our case and review the evidence," said Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Karami's lawyer. 

He added, "We will submit our defenses and will wait for the court's decision," expressing optimism that "the outcome of the proceedings will be positive."

Mashallah Karami was arrested in August last year by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Karaj and taken to the Intelligence Department detention center.

Reports suggest that government forces destroyed memorabilia, plaques, and medals commemorating their son and even set fire to his clothes during a raid.

Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini were hanged on January 7, 2023, Iran's judicial said, after they were found guilty of killing a member of the paramilitary Basij force during anti-establishment protests.