Reflecting Systemic Pressure on Political Detainees in Iran
Hafez Forouhi is a political prisoner from Gilan Province in northern Iran. He was arrested on January 18, 2023, by security forces during the nationwide protests in Iran. After spending 23 days in solitary confinement and undergoing interrogation, he was transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. Despite repeated promises of release on bail, these assurances never materialized and were reportedly used as a means of psychological coercion.
In response to the harsh detention conditions, ongoing psychological pressure, and legal uncertainty, Forouhi initiated a 17-day hunger strike. His trial was finally held on September 16, 2023, at Branch 1 of the Criminal Court in Rasht, presided over by Judge Mohammadzadeh.
His case was controversially divided into two parts and sent to separate judicial authorities — the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court — under the charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “actions against national security.” Eventually, he was sentenced to two years and three months of discretionary imprisonment. However, the official communication of the verdict was delayed by six months, exacerbating his psychological distress. The sentence was later upheld by the Gilan Provincial Court of Appeals.
Persistent Legal Obstacles and Denial of Rights
Forouhi’s sentence execution has been plagued by legal irregularities. The splitting of his case between two courts, inconsistent rulings, and failure to deliver a final binding verdict left him unable to exercise his legal right to follow up on his case status. Despite completing his full sentence on January 18, 2025, his release has been repeatedly postponed without legal justification. In protest, he began a dry hunger strike, which he ended after six days following verbal promises of release.
As of the latest update, the legal status of Forouhi remains unclear. Judicial branches continue to defer responsibility for processing his case: one enforcement office refuses to accept the case, while another claims it lacks time to consolidate the files. According to Forouhi, this ongoing injustice and psychological pressure have yet to cease.
A Voice for the Voiceless
Friends and associates describe Hafez Forouhi as a compassionate, kind-hearted individual deeply committed to ethical and humanitarian values. Even in prison, he has remained supportive of his fellow inmates and is known for helping others despite his own difficult circumstances. Those close to him view him as someone who has consistently sought to amplify the voices of the silenced.
