The first hearing for the retired teacher, Nahid Fath’alian
21-September-2020
Category: Freedom of Expression، Labor and guilds
Breathing in Confinement: On September 16, Nahid Fath’alian, a retired teacher, was summoned to Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court for a trial where she was notified of the charge of “Colluding and gathering and propaganda activities against the regime, as well as the destruction of state property.” The second court hearing will be held in the next 10 days.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news organ of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, the case of a retired teacher, Nahid Fath’alian who has been detained since April 14, 2020, has been referred to Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati. And her first hearing was held on September 16, 2020, in the same branch. The second hearing also will be held in the next ten days.
“Ms. Fath’alian’s trial was started by reading the charges out loud. Her defense, however, was postponed to the next court hearing, which is said to be held within the next ten days, “said an informed source to Breathing in Confinement. The source continued: “Regarding the charges against her, the court referred to Ms. Fath’alian’s participation in the widespread protests in Tehran in November 2019, distribution of some posters and tracts with the content of ‘propaganda activities against the regime as well as protests against the situation of teachers and retirees’. In addition, there was a CCTV video, allegedly showing her assisting in the destruction and setting a fire at a bank in Tehran.”
“Ms. Fath’alian has not asked for a lawyer saying that she will prepare the defense statement herself and will present it to the court,” the source added.
It needs to be mentioned that Nahid Fath’alian was held in Vozara Detention Center for several weeks after her arrest and was later transferred to Evin Prison’s Political Women Ward. After about two weeks however, she was transferred to Evin’s Ward 209. Four months later, after the completion of her interrogations, she finally was transferred to Evin’s Political Women Ward.