A Clear Example of Suppression of Freedom of Expression in Iran
On the morning of Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the sentence of 30 lashes against Arman Shadivand, a well-known environmental activist and artist from Darreh Shahr, was carried out in the enforcement branch of the city’s prosecutor’s office. This punishment was imposed for the charge of “insulting the then-president, Ebrahim Raisi.” The action has drawn strong reactions from human rights organizations, once again highlighting the systematic repression of free expression in Iran.
Arman Shadivand had previously been subjected to multiple heavy judicial sentences. In February 2025, he was sentenced by Branch Two of the Ilam Revolutionary Court to two years of discretionary imprisonment on charges such as “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting officials,” a verdict that was upheld in the Ilam Court of Appeals in May 2025. Prior to that, in January 2025, the Ilam Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to an additional one year and four months in prison.
The charges brought against Shadivand included “propaganda in favor of opposition groups,” “supporting the 2022 protests,” and “insulting figures such as Ali Khamenei, Qassem Soleimani, Ebrahim Raisi, and Hassan Nasrallah.” These repeated sentences and accusations reflect a deliberate process of psychological exhaustion and gradual elimination of this cultural and environmental activist.
Unfair Proceedings and Security Interference
Arman Shadivand’s judicial case was formed and managed under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Intelligence—an indication of the political nature of the judicial process and the lack of independence of the courts in Iran. His court hearings were also held behind closed doors and lacked necessary transparency.
About Arman Shadivand
Born on March 1990, in Darreh Shahr, Arman Shadivand is not only active in environmental causes but also works in the field of sound engineering and psychoacoustics. He is known as a composer, singer, and writer. He has authored eight books, all of which have been banned from publication by official institutions—a clear violation of freedom of thought and expression that has repeatedly been condemned by international human rights bodies.
Systematic Repression of Civil Activists
Arman Shadivand is only one among dozens of civil, artistic, and environmental activists who, in recent years, have faced prison sentences, lashings, and security pressures. The repetition of these sentences and arrests is part of a broader policy to silence dissenting voices—a strategy that directly targets human dignity and the fundamental rights of citizens.
At a time when Iranian society is grappling with multiple environmental and social crises, suppressing and punishing those who strive to raise awareness and demand accountability only deepens these problems and extinguishes the voice of truth.
