Prison Sentence and Flogging Imposed on Cultural Activist from Bojnord in Two Separate Cases
13-June-2026
Category: Prison Sentence
13 June 2026
News Category: Prison Sentences
Breathing in Confinement: Mehdi Pakmehr, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to a total of six years and three months’ discretionary imprisonment and 70 lashes.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Mehdi Pakmehr, a 41-year-old singer and resident of Bojnord, was prosecuted in two separate judicial cases and received a combined sentence of six years and three months’ imprisonment together with 70 lashes.
According to the report, a branch of the Criminal Court in Bojnord sentenced him to one year and three months’ discretionary imprisonment and 70 lashes on charges whose details have not yet been officially disclosed. In a separate case, the Revolutionary Court of Bojnord imposed a five-year discretionary prison sentence, although the judgment provides that one year of this sentence has been suspended for a specified period.
Reports indicate that the judgments have so far been communicated to Mr Pakmehr only verbally, and neither a written copy nor the precise details of the charges have been made publicly available. This may raise concerns regarding fair trial principles, including the defendant’s right to be informed of the charges and the contents of the judgment.
During the January 2026 protests, Mehdi Pakmehr sustained injuries to his leg after being struck by pellet gunfire. On 9 January 2026, he was arrested by security forces together with several employees of the café where he worked and was transferred to Bojnord Central Prison. According to available reports, he remained in detention for approximately two months, despite continuing to suffer from the effects of his gunshot injuries.
It should also be noted that Mr Pakmehr has previously been arrested and convicted in connection with his civil and cultural activities.