Human Rights Watch has reported that Tehran has sentenced at least two dozen Azeri minority activists without providing substantial evidence. These measures appear to be part of a broader strategy to suppress civil society and manage ethnic minorities, particularly as tensions rise between Iran and Azerbaijan. Sentencing lengths for the activists, issued by Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Court, range from 3 to 14 years for various charges, including environmental activism and aiding families of protesters. Reports further detail systemic denial of medical treatment and the use of solitary confinement on these detainees.
"Iranian authorities systematically target civil society and ethnic minorities with abusive charges and heavy prison sentences to silence dissent," said Nahid Naghshbandi, acting Iran researcher at HRW.
HRW called these prison sentences 'repression to crush civil society and prevent ethnic minorities from demanding their basic rights.'
The prison sentences issued by Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Court against Azeri activists ranged between 3 to 14 years without substantial evidence.
HRW highlighted that some detainees faced accusations related to environmental activism and aiding families of protesters injured during the 2022 protests.
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