Najaf Abouali, a dissident citizen residing in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, was re-arrested on Friday, September 5, 2025, and transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan to serve an eight-month prison sentence. After reporting himself to the Enforcement Office of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, he was immediately sent to prison.
Repeated Fabrication of Cases and Violation of Due Process
Abouali, who had previously been arrested multiple times during the 2017 and 2022 protests, is now facing two parallel cases in the Criminal Court and the Revolutionary Court. Initially, the Criminal Court of Isfahan sentenced him to five months of imprisonment, of which he served three months before being conditionally released, with two months of his sentence suspended. However, the Revolutionary Court later repeated the same charges in another case and issued a harsher sentence of eight months in prison.
This process not only imposed double pressure on this dissident citizen but also blatantly violated the principle of “no double jeopardy for the same charge” and the right to a fair trial. The delay in delivering the verdict also effectively deprived him of the opportunity to file a legal appeal.
Vague Charges to Suppress Opponents
Charges such as “propaganda against the regime,” “spreading falsehoods,” and “disseminating obscene images via computer” have been leveled against Najaf Abouali—broad, undefined legal terms that have repeatedly been used against political dissidents and civil activists. This practice demonstrates the judiciary’s instrumental use of such charges to silence peaceful dissent.
History of Security Pressures
Najaf Abouali was also arrested and pressured by security forces during the nationwide protests of 2017 and 2022. He has repeatedly been targeted with judicial prosecution for expressing his views and protesting the country’s economic and social conditions, and he continues to face ongoing government pressure.
Dastgerd Prison: A Symbol of Human Rights Violations
Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, where Najaf Abouali is currently held, is considered one of Iran’s most notorious prisons. It is infamous for its unsanitary conditions, severe overcrowding, denial of adequate medical services, and repeated violations of political prisoners’ rights. The widespread execution of death sentences in this prison further adds to its disastrous reputation.
Ongoing Repression and Atmosphere of Suppression
The re-arrest of Najaf Abouali once again highlights that the Iranian government does not tolerate even the smallest forms of political or civil dissent. Citizens and activists who merely exercise their right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest are met with fabricated security cases and heavy judicial sentences.
Instead of addressing the legitimate demands of the people, judicial and security authorities continue to insist on vague charges such as “propaganda against the regime” or “disturbing public order.” This trend reflects a deep crisis in Iran’s judicial system and the ongoing instrumental use of the justice apparatus to suppress dissent.
