Prominent Iranian Human Rights Lawyer Returned to Prison عبدالفتاح سلطانی در پی عدم تمدید مرخصی به زندان بازگشت

October 28, 2018

Iran Human Rights; October 28, 2018: Abdolfattah Soltani, attorney at law and human rights activist, went back to Evin prison earlier today following the denial of his furlough extension request.

Abdolfattah Soltani had been granted the furlough to attend her young daughter’s funeral on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Despite some hopes that the Islamic Republic authorities might extend his furlough, Mr Soltani went back to prison due to denial of the extension request.

Abdolfattah Soltani was arrested on September 2011 on the charge of “propaganda against the system” for "founding the "Defenders of Human Rights Centre", "gathering and colluding with intent to harm national security", "spreading propaganda against the system" and "accepting an illegal award" (the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award").

Soltani was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment which was reduced to 10 years. Based on Iranian laws, if a defendant is faced with more than one charges, the charge with the highest penalty will be taken into account. However, Mr Soltani has served more than two third of his sentence and technically he could be granted the conditional release.

Abdolfattah Soltani was represented a number of prominent dissidents, civil activists, Bahai minorities and political prisoners prior to his arrest.