Political Prisoner Mohammad Raoufi Held in Solitary Confinement for 19 Days, Denied Access to Lawyer and Family Contact
Arrest, Interrogation, and Transfer to Lakan Prison
Taghi Raoufi, born in December 1988, holds an associate degree in physical education. On January 13, 2023, he was arrested by security forces. Following his arrest, he was held in solitary confinement for 19 days at the Ministry of Intelligence detention center, where he was interrogated and denied access to a lawyer and contact with his family. After the interrogations, he was transferred to the Misagh Ward of Lakan Prison, designated for political prisoners.
Temporary Release and Trial
On February 5, 2023, Raoufi was temporarily released on bail. His trial was held at Branch 3 of the Rasht Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Mehdi Raskhi. He was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” a ruling that, though legally lenient, reflects the ongoing suppression of civic activities in Iran.
Social and Athletic Activities
Prior to his arrest, Raoufi worked as a construction contractor. He is also known as an active athlete in the martial art “Yikyodo Mi.” In recent years, alongside his professional work, he expressed critical opinions on social media and supported citizens’ protest movements, which likely led to his arrest and conviction.
Return to Prison to Serve Sentence
After the sentence was finalized, Raoufi was returned to Lakan Prison on March 1, 2025, to serve his one-year term. In recent months, this prison has housed a significant number of political and ideological prisoners, with reports highlighting inadequate medical and welfare facilities.
Mohammad (Taghi) Raoufi’s Case: A Clear Example of Human Rights Violations
Raoufi’s conviction for “propaganda against the regime” is based on Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code, a provision widely used to suppress peaceful protests, freedom of expression, and civic activities. Many human rights organizations consider the instrumental use of this article a clear violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of thought and expression.
Given that Raoufi’s initial detention involved solitary confinement and denial of access to a lawyer, his judicial process violates the principles of fair trial outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Mohammad (Taghi) Raoufi’s case exemplifies the ongoing security crackdown on civic and political activists in Iran. Imposing prison sentences for peaceful and critical activities not only violates basic rights but also indicates a lack of tolerance for dissenting voices in the public sphere. This trend poses serious implications for civil society and fundamental freedoms in Iran.
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