On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, held a session to review new charges against Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi, two elite students from Sharif University of Technology. Notably, Ali Younesi—one of the main defendants—was absent from the court session without any explanation, a concerning absence that has now lasted over a month.
Ali Younesi’s Absence: Total Unawareness and Growing Concern
According to reports from the Younesi family, Ali was forcibly and violently transferred from Ward 4 of Evin Prison to an unknown location on June 18, 2025. His only known communication since then was a brief phone call with his mother 21 days ago, and since that time, neither his family nor his lawyers have had any information about his condition, location, or well-being.
Aida Younesi, Ali’s sister, wrote on social media: “Yesterday was the date of a ‘trial’ for a new case against Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi, but Ali was not brought to the session. It has been more than a month since my brother was abducted, and we still have no news about him.”
She also emphasized that their mother had gone to court in the hope of seeing her son, even briefly, but was met with closed doors. Ali Younesi’s lawyers also objected to his absence from the hearing.
New Charge: “Propaganda Against the Regime” from Behind Bars
During the court session, Amirhossein Moradi was again tried on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” It is reported that this charge stems from statements allegedly issued by him from inside prison. He appeared in court in handcuffs and shackles, under heavy security, and was interrogated during the session.
While no official explanation has been given for Ali Younesi’s absence, the judiciary remains silent. According to many human rights organizations, this silence signals a severe violation of the fundamental rights of the accused, including the right to legal representation, family contact, and court attendance.
State Abduction or Pressure Tactic?
Human rights organizations and political activists regard the disappearance of Ali Younesi as a form of state abduction. These tactics—including secret transfers and psychological pressure through isolation—have long been used against political and ideological prisoners in Iran.
Younesi, a gold medalist in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, and Moradi, a national silver medalist, are considered among Iran’s top academic talents. Since their violent arrest in April 2020 by IRGC agents, they have faced severe political charges, prolonged interrogations, and harsh prison conditions.
808 Days of Pretrial Detention, Then 16 Years in Prison
After spending 808 days in solitary confinement and high-security wards, the two students were finally transferred to the general ward of Evin Prison in July 2022. They were sentenced to 16 years in prison—a punishment many have described as disproportionate, unlawful, and a tool to silence dissenting youth.
Systematic Suppression of Academic Elites
This new case against the two prisoners reflects a familiar pattern in Iran: the efforts of security agencies to systematically suppress academic elites and instill fear in universities. According to experts, the goal is to prevent the emergence of any protest movement among the country’s educated and talented youth.
