The daughter of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi, who has been in prison in Tehran since the end of September, has been sentenced to five years in prison, her lawyer told the AFP news agency on Monday.
Former MP and women’s rights activist Faezeh Hachémi Rafsanjani was arrested on 27 September and imprisoned in Evin prison for inciting local residents to demonstrate during the protest movement that erupted in the country. “My client was sentenced to five years in prison by the trial court,” Me Neda Shams said.
“Propaganda” conviction in 2012
The 60-year-old Faezeh Hachémi has been convicted several times in the past. At the end of 2012 she was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison for “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic.
The judiciary accused Faezeh Hachémi of “collusion against the security of the country, propaganda against the system of the Islamic Republic and disruption of order by participating in illegal meetings”, the lawyer specified. “The decision, which is not final, was communicated to me on Wednesday and we will appeal within the statutory time limit,” Me Shams added.
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In October, judiciary spokesman Massoud Setayechi said the activist had already been sentenced in March “to 15 months in prison and an additional two years including a ban on internet activities”.
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strengthen relations with the West
Akbar Hachémi Rafsanjani, president between 1989 and 1997, was a moderate who worked to improve relations with the West. Iranian authorities generally refer to the protests as “riots” promoted by anti-Iranian countries and organizations.
They claim that hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed and thousands arrested during the protests. Four men were hanged in connection with the protests.