Saba Bakhtiari, sister of Manouchehr Bakhtiari, in response to the fabrication of a case in opposition to this justice-seeking prisoner and the issuance of a sentence of 18 years in jail and 74 lashes, advised Voice of America that her brother has carried out nothing however search justice for his little one and the land of Iran, and that “our nation’s struggle” in opposition to the Islamic Republic continues fearlessly within the face of imprisonment.
On Wednesday, twentieth Dey, Saba Bakhtiari mentioned in an interview with Voice of America that whereas just a few months stay of Manouchehr Bakhtiari’s present jail time period, a brand new and unilateral “case fabrication” and a “one-sided trial” by way of video convention with out the presence of a lawyer or the suitable to protection, have resulted in a sentence of 18 years imprisonment and 74 lashes for the daddy searching for justice for Pouya Bakhtiari.
Manouchehr Bakhtiari’s sister acknowledged that this sentence, issued on the 14th Dey and communicated to the jail, imposes a extreme new punishment on him, regardless of almost 4 years of incarceration. She famous that many of the expenses introduced in opposition to Manouchehr Bakhtiari are the identical as these he was beforehand convicted for 3 and a half years in the past, which led to a last sentence of three years and 6 months imprisonment, two years prohibition from leaving the nation, and two years of exile exterior Tehran and Karaj.
According to Saba Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari’s father has “spent all these years in solitary confinement” and “was in exile in Qazvin jail for 2 years, however now within the new case, they’ve accused him of forming a bunch.” She questioned the legitimacy of those accusations, asking how somebody in jail may kind a bunch and what proof helps these expenses.
She criticized the Islamic Republic’s audacity, questioning the safety they declare to guard after they imprison a person as a result of the regime killed his son. She emphasised, “My brother dedicated no crime; his solely fault was asking why his little one, who had come out to a easy protest, was brutally killed.”
Saba Bakhtiari additionally talked about the bodily situation of Manouchehr Bakhtiari, affected by extreme gastrointestinal points, intestinal perforation, and hernia, requiring instant surgical procedure as per the forensic physician’s orders. Despite providing a bail and taking it to the prosecutor, she mentioned, “The prosecutor opposed with none purpose and didn’t signal.”
She lamented the regime’s actions, stating, “They kill a toddler and imprison his dad and mom,” and criticized the speak of justice and nationwide safety as nothing however shamelessness. She additionally raised considerations about Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari’s mom, who’s at the moment in jail with a sentence of 5 and a half years, fearing new case fabrications in opposition to her.
Pouya Bakhtiari’s aunt, who was killed by Islamic Republic forces in the course of the November 2019 protests, emphasised in an interview with Voice of America: “This just isn’t the top of the street. Use your energy now. The weapons are in your fingers. But this isn’t the top. We will not be afraid of your prisons. We won’t again down. This is our nation’s struggle in opposition to you, and it continues.”
She harassed, “My brother has dedicated no sin,” and expressed hope that the world would witness the regime’s crimes and inquire concerning the situations of political prisoners.
Following the judicial authorities’ case fabrication in opposition to Manouchehr Bakhtiari in jail, the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Karaj has sentenced Pouya Bakhtiari’s father to “18 years imprisonment and 74 lashes.” Saba Bakhtiari advised Voice of America that though Manouchehr Bakhtiari has a lawyer, the lawyer has no entry to him, and the 18-year sentence was solely just lately communicated to the lawyer, with it nonetheless being unclear if there’s a proper to attraction, which the lawyer should pursue.