Shahin Zoghi-Tabar Sentenced to New Prison Term in Evin

The new sentence for the political prisoner held in Ward 7 of Evin Prison was issued on the charge of “propaganda against the system”; he had previously been sentenced to 10 years in prison

Iran Human Rights Society, Sunday, August 30, 2026 – On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a new sentence was communicated to Shahin Zoghi-Tabar, a political prisoner held in Ward 7 of Evin Prison. According to this sentence, he has been sentenced to an additional one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the system.”

This one-year sentence has been issued in addition to Shahin Zoghi-Tabar’s previous 10-year conviction. As a result, the nominal sum of prison sentences issued against him reaches 11 years; nevertheless, precise information regarding whether the new sentence is final or appealable, and how it will be calculated and executed, is not available.

Issuance of New Sentence on Charge of Propaganda Against the System

Previously, on February 23, 2026, Shahin Zoghi-Tabar was transferred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to address the charge of “propaganda against the system.” The hearing session was held presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, and according to published information, the judge threatened him during the session with issuing the “maximum punishment.”

Available information does not clarify the exact date the new one-year sentence was issued, and whether it is the same case file whose hearing session was held on February 23. The court judgment text and documents cited by the court have also not been made publicly available.

The formation of this case file comes as Shahin Zoghi-Tabar was previously facing several other charge titles as well. In January/February 2026, a notification was issued for him with charges of “action against the system” and “disturbing public opinion,” and he was summoned on February 2, 2026, to the Second Branch of the Shahid Moghaddas Interrogation Unit for interrogation.

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar’s 10-Year Conviction History

In September/October 2025, Shahin Zoghi-Tabar was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Charges raised in that case were stated as “membership in the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK),” “publishing falsehoods,” “propaganda against the system,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

The hearing session for that case was held on August 17, 2025. Published reports indicated other charges raised such as assembly and collusion against national security, meeting families of PMOI members, slogan writing, filming gatherings, distributing leaflets, and activity in Telegram groups.

The issuance of a new sentence under the title “propaganda against the system” raises the question of how the actions or case documents of the new case differ from the instances raised in the previous conviction, and whether the new charge relies on independent actions or not.

From Home Arrest to Transfer to Ward 7 of Evin Prison

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar, born in 1987 and a resident of Tehran, was arrested on July 24, 2025, during a raid by IRGC Intelligence forces on his home. Based on previous reports, agents entered the house without providing a judicial warrant and confiscated his mobile phone, computer, and some personal belongings.

He was initially transferred to Greater Tehran Prison and after some time was transferred along with a number of political prisoners to Ward 7 of Evin Prison. Prior to his recent arrest, Shahin Zoghi-Tabar also had a history of serving prison time in Gohardasht Prison.

Deprivation of Visitation and Medical Concerns

Based on previous reports regarding Shahin Zoghi-Tabar’s status, he has been deprived of in-person visitation with his family since his arrest. It is said that he continuously requests visits, but prison officials have not agreed to these requests without stating an official reason.

During his period of detention in Greater Tehran Prison, he faced kidney complications and severe leg swelling, and he still requires medical care. The presence of bedbugs, population density, and lack of facilities in Ward 7 of Evin Prison have also increased concerns regarding his health.

Information Box | Case Information at a Glance

Subject	Status
Name	Shahin Zoghi-Tabar
Year of Birth	1987 (Age ~39)
Status	Political prisoner
Date of Recent Arrest	July 24, 2025
Current Place of Detention	Ward 7 of Evin Prison
Previous Sentence	10 years in prison
New Sentence	1 additional year in prison
New Charge Title	Propaganda against the system
Issuing Authority	Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court
Judge	Iman Afshari
Total Nominal Sentences	11 years in prison
Main Concerns	Deprivation of in-person visits, lack of medical care, potential double jeopardy

Legal Review of Shahin Zoghi-Tabar’s Case Based on Domestic Laws

The laws of the dictatorship ruling Iran in past years have been criticized repeatedly due to conflict with standards of fair trial, ambiguity in security cases, and restricting freedom of expression. Reviewing the case of Shahin Zoghi-Tabar based on domestic laws does not mean confirmation of these laws; the goal is to show instances where even these same laws may not have been observed during proceedings.

Legal Ambiguities of the Case

The basis for issuing the new sentence, instances of the charge, and its difference from the previous case are not clear. If the new sentence relies on the same behaviors or documents that were previously the subject of proceedings, the issue of re-adjudication and double punishment must be examined. Also, reports of threatening the defendant with “maximum punishment” can create concerns regarding the impartiality of the proceedings.

Related Legal Articles

Article 23 of the Constitution: Prohibits investigation of beliefs.

Article 24 of the Constitution: Recognizes freedom of expression and press.

Article 32 of the Constitution: Conditionalizes arrest on observance of legal regulations.

Article 35 of the Constitution: Guarantees the right to have a lawyer.

Article 37 of the Constitution: Emphasizes the presumption of innocence.

Prisons Organization Regulations: Recognizes visitation rights, medical services, and appropriate conditions of holding.

Potential Cases of Law Violation

Ambiguity in instances and evidence of the new sentence;

Potential overlap of the new charge with the previous conviction;

Threatening the defendant with heavy punishment during proceedings;

Continuous deprivation of in-person visitation without stating a legal reason;

Concerns regarding insufficient access to medical services.

Reviewing the Case from the Perspective of Human Rights and Violation of International Standards

In the event that Shahin Zoghi-Tabar’s conviction was issued purely due to expressing opinions or peaceful activities, the new sentence can conflict with the right to freedom of expression. The multiplicity of judicial files, deprivation of visitation, and his medical status also create concerns regarding exerting double pressure on this political prisoner.

Related International Documents

Articles 9, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Prohibition of arbitrary arrest, right to a fair trial, and freedom of expression.

Articles 9, 14, and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Right to personal security, fair trial, and freedom of expression.