The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the main opposition coalition to Iran’s regime, announced that political prisoner Ehsan Rostami is facing the risk of a death sentence or heavy punishments due to the fabricated charge of “baghi” and under the pretext of cooperation with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
On Wednesday, December 10, Branch Five of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office formally presented this charge to Ehsan Rostami. After the interrogation session ended, he was immediately transferred to solitary confinement.
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Ehsan Rostami was arrested on August 20 along with several relatives and friends, including his cousin Ramin Rostami, during simultaneous raids on their homes in Tehran. They were subjected to torture-inflicting interrogations and severe pressure for four months.
Ehsan and Ramin Rostami began a hunger strike on Thursday, October 2, in protest against the torture and pressure imposed by interrogators, continuing for 23 days.
Ehsan Rostami faces the risk of a death sentence.
Ehsan Rostami, 36 years old, is a sociologist and a graduate of Allameh Tabataba’i University. He is the manager of a publishing house and bookstore and is known as a cultural figure. Ramin Rostami, 29 years old, is an electrical engineer and an independent cultural publisher.
Additionally, Jahangir Rostami, Ehsan’s 63-year-old father and a retired educator, was arrested at his home in Harsin on Friday, October 17, and was severely beaten, suffering injuries to his head and face. Two days later, he was brought before his son Ehsan with a bloodied face to extract a forced confession.
Retirees’ labor associations in Kermanshah and Harsin issued statements condemning the arrest and beating of Jahangir Rostami. They also demanded his release during a retirees’ gathering in Kermanshah. He was eventually temporarily released from prison on December 16 on bail of 15 billion rials (approximately 11,200 dollars).
It should be recalled that the Iranian regime’s security agencies, in order to intimidate the public and young people, are carrying out widespread arrests of activists and regime opponents and bringing the charge of baghi, which carries the death penalty, in an effort to frighten people and prevent them from joining Iran’s Resistance and engaging in active political struggle.
