Civil Rights Activist Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

Mahmoud Ojaghlo, an Iranian civil rights activist held in Tehran’s Evin prison, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison, IranWire reports. 

The verdict was issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, with Judge Abulqasem Salavati presiding over the case. 

Ojaghlo was handed a five-year prison term on the charge of "gathering and colluding to act against national security," another five years for "membership in illegal groups," five years for "inciting people to war and disrupting national security," and one more year for "propaganda against the system."

Judge Salavati also banned the defendant from traveling, from joining political groups and organizations, and from engaging in online activities for a period of two years. 

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the actual term Ojaghlo is due to serve is five years, the lengthiest sentence imposed for the most serious charge.

Ojaghlo was arrested on December 11 last year during "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests in Tehran. 

He was first held in Ward 209 of Evin prison, where he launched a hunger strike to protest his prolonged detention and uncertainty surrounding his case. 

He was transferred to the prison’s general ward after spending nearly two months in the security ward. 

Ojaghlo had previously faced arrests due to his advocacy for ethnic rights.