Riza Vasegi, an Azerbaijani activist living in Ardabil, was summoned to the Executive Department of the Ardabil court and arrested. The activist was taken to Ardabil prison to serve his sentence.
Brothers Riza and Ali Vasegi were previously sentenced to 2 and 3 years in prison, respectively, in a preliminary trial presided over by Judge Mahdavirad of the Revolutionary Court No. 1 in Ardabil. They were arrested on charges of “conspiracy to commit a crime against national security” and “propaganda against the state.” On October 5, the Ardabil Revolutionary Reconstruction Court sentenced him to two years in prison on charges of “conspiracy to commit a crime against national security through propaganda against the state.”
According to activists, the court based its verdict on Riza Vasegi’s telegram “Long live the heroes working for freedom,” as well as sharing his body marks on social media as a result of being beaten by Iranian security forces.
Ali and Riza Vasegi were arrested on June 12 at their workplaces. Iranian security forces did not issue any verdict when arresting Azerbaijani activists. Security forces also physically abused activists.
