Behnam Mousivand

Mr. Mousivand participated in the mass protests in 2009 and January 2017 and some of his sentences were related to his presence in these movements.

<coverage-outsourcing id='7630'> He was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison by judge Moghiseh. However this sentence changed to two years of suspended prison sentence in the appeal court </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='36352'> <reference source='https://khabargar.net/%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%87-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2/'> Almost nine years later, Behnam Mousivand published an account of his arrest and torture in 2009 on Twitter. According to his account, he was severely beaten from the moment of his arrest. He was then taken to an unfinished building where other arrested protesters were being horribly tortured. Mr. Mousivand was also insulted and tortured along with others. He describes the torture he went through in this place: “They used tasers between my fingers; they went numb, and my nails turned black. They punched and kicked and clobbered me. Anyone passing by would kick or punch us.” After several hours of torture, the arrested protesters were transferred to Evin Prison. While entering ward 240, he was beaten again by an agent. The seven arrested protesters who had been injured under torture, including Behnam Mousivand, were moved to a room that didn’t have the capacity for all those people. And there was no partition between the room and the toilet. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6830'> He was arrested along with Majid Moghaddam during a ceremony at Neda Agha Soltan's grave site in Tehran's Behesht Zahra. According to him, the security forces stripped them naked. Judge Babayi has stated that one account of his charges was the defamation of the police forces. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6831'> He was released after being held for one day by Shah Abdolazim security police. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7625'> Arash Sadeghi, Golrokh Iraee, Behnam Mousivand, and Navid Kamran were arrested by Revolutionary Guard agents from Sarallah headquarters. The agents only had a warrant for the arrest of Arash Sadeghi. Therefore aside from Arash Sadeghi, the rest were not accepted by Evin Prison and were sent to a different detention center. The next day they were transferred to Evin court and later to the prison. Arash Sadeghi was kept in solitary confinements of ward 2-A for six months. According to Golrokh Iraee's interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights, the majority of their charges were related to their online activities like sharing the news about political prisoners on their Facebook page, and their communications with the families of those killed by the regime. Bahnam and Navid were released that same week. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6832'> Judge Salavati, chief of the branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, sentenced him to 18 months in prison. The trial session was held earlier with the presence of him, Arash Sadeghi, Navid Kamran, and Golrokh Iraee. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6833'> His case was sent to the branch 54 of the appeal court. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6834'> Their appeal trial was held in branch 54 of the Tehran Appeal Court presided by judges Pour Arab and Babayi. Arash Sadeghi was sentenced to 15 years (and enforcement of his previously suspended 4 years), Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee 6 years, Navid Kamran to 1 year (and enforcement of his previously suspended 2 years), and Behnam Mousivand to 1 year (and enforcement of his previously suspended 2 years) in prison. In this session, judge Babayi told Golrokh Iraee that if it was his decision, he would have sentenced Golrokh Iraee to death. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6835'> He went to Evin Prison to begin his sentence. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6836'> It was reported that he has been transferred to the ward 8 of Evin Prison </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7054'> Political prisoners of ward 8, Arash Sadeghi, Behnam Mousivand, Vahid Sayadi Nassiri, and Ami Amir Gholi, went on a hunger strike in solidarity with Jafar Azimzadeh </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7042'> Ali Moezzi, Arash Sadeghi, Behnam Mousivand, Vahid Sayadi Nassiri, and Amir Amir Gholi who were on hunger strike in support of Jafar Azimzadeh, announced that his freedom signifies that the best and sharpest weapon is persistence </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7511'> According to the Campaign to Defend Civil and Political Prisoners, due to his refusal of wearing prison uniform, prison authorities denied his family visitation </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7616'> According to Radio Farhang, due to the rude conduct of the person in charge of medicine distribution in prison, he refused to take his medicine for some time </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='8048'> In a letter regarding the mass execution of Sunni prisoners, he asked the society to "break the seal of silence" </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='8168'> Keyhan Novin reported that due to his refusal of wearing the prison uniform and handcuffs and shackles, the prison authorities refused to transfer him to the hospital. According to this report, the prison treatment center had diagnosed his conditions as critical. On the same day, "Activists for Human Rights and Democracy" reported that he has been suffering from internal bleeding for the last few days </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='8921'> In a clash between ordinary and political prisoners, Behnam Mousivand was battered and his forehead was wounded. Although he forgave the attacker, he went on a hunger strike in protest to the disregard for the crime separation principle </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9175'> Arash Sadeghi, Behnam Mousivand, and Vahid Sayadi were threatened to being transferred to Fashafooyeh prison by the ward 8 representative, Mr. Salmani </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9185'> Saham reported that Amir Amir Gholi, Saeed Jokar, Arash Sadeghi, Vahid Sayadi, Ahmad Asgari, Behnam Mousivand, Mohammad Agha Khani, Nasrollah Dashti, and Davoud Assadi have announced that they will refuse to provide daily statistics to prison authorities until the crime separation laws are enforced </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9123'> On the seventh day of his hunger strike, after he published a letter explaining the events and his objection to the disregard for the crime separation principle, he started his medicine strike as well </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9222'> The Campaign to Defend Civil and Political Prisoners reported that he has ended his hunger and medicine strike at the request of over 200 civil and political activists </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10075'> Arash Sadeghi, Amir Amir Gholi, Behnam Mousivand, and Vahid Sayadi Nassiri released a letter criticizing the conditions of Evin Prison's ward 8 </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9832'> Peyman Koosh Baghi and Behnam Mousivand were exiled from Evin prison to Rajayi Shahr Prison. Two days later Harana reported that they were transferred from the quarantine to ward 4 of hall 12 </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9893'> According to Zamaneh, political prisoners Saeed Shirzad, Behnam Mousivand, and Ali Moezzi, currently held at Rajayi Shahr Prison in city of Karaj, wrote a letter condemning the arrest of Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10115'> Twelve prisoners of ward 4 in hall 12 of Rajayi Shahr prison in Karaj announced their support of Maryam Akbari Monfared's lawsuit and demand for justice. This letter was published by Campaign to Defend Civil and Political Activists in Iran, and is documented in the Supporting Evidence section of this page. The signatories are as follows: Reza Akbari Monfared, Saeed Shirzad, Mohamad Ali Mansouri, Behnam Mousivand, Saleh Kohandel, Saeed Masouri, Javad Fouladvand, Hassan Sdeghi, Shahin Zoghitabar, Ali Moezzi, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, and Khaled Hardani </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10898'> Behnam Mousivand wrote a letter to Arash Sadeghi, and started his hunger strike in support of Arash and his demands. This letter was published by "Bazdasht" website, and is documented in the Supporting Evidence section of this page </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10899'> Behnam Mousivand wrote a letter to Arash Sadeghi, and started his hunger strike in support of Arash and his demands. This letter was published by "Bazdasht" website, and is documented in the Supporting Evidence section of this page </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10888'> He was transferred to the hospital. According to the Campaign to Defend Political and Civil Prisoners, the prison guards beat him up for refusing to wear a prison uniform and handcuffs and shackles. According to the report, a police agent named Mehran Ghaderi prevented his medical examination. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='11383'> According to HRANA, Behnam Mousivand was denied transfer to a hospital for refusing to wear dirty prison uniforms and getting handcuffed and shackled. He is suffering from gastrointestinal problems and the prosecutor’s office has issued permission for a transfer to the hospital. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='11735'> He went on furlough for five days. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='12044'> In a letter to Asma Jahangir, he and 19 other prisoners of Rajayi Shahr expressed their concerns about Saeed Shirzad's conditions. The letter is documented in the Supporting Evidence section of Saeed Shirzad's page </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13932'> HRANA reported that he went on furlough for Nowruz. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='15171'> While he had broken his ankle during sport and had a torn tendon, he was denied transfer to the hospital despite the doctor’s order. According to HRANA, the officer in charge (Mirzaei) prevented his transfer because he refused to wear a prison uniform and handcuffs and shackles. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='15872'> He was released </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='20919'> In a round-up of political and civil activists Shima Babaei and Darioush Zand in Behbahan, Saeed Eghbali in Kermanshah, Saeed Seyfi Jahan, Nader Afshari, Mahmoud Masoumi and Behnam Mousivand in Tehran were arrested. All of them were transferred to ward 209 of Evin Prison on the following days. They did not have access to a lawyer during their detention. According to reports released later, at least Saeed Eqbali, Behnam Mousivand and Saeed Seyfi Jahan were also deprived of telephone and visits. Nader Afshari and Mahmoud Masoumi also went on hunger strike </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='21001'> According to HRANA, six of the prisoners in Rajayi Shahr prison, including Arash Sadeghi, Payam Shakiba, Zanyar Moradi, Saeed Shirzad, Saeed Masouri and Majid Asadi, expressed their concern about the situation of Behnam Mousivand </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='20974'> According to the Center for Human Rights in Iran, he had a short meeting with his mother in Evin Prison while he was not in proper physical conditions </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='36355'> According to IPA sources, the defendants, in this case, have been accused of organizing protests on the anniversary of the 1979 revolution. The main part of the case is related to protests last month. In that instance, the Information Ministry interrogators have accused them of attempting to overthrow the state and collusion with dissidents abroad. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='21000'> The Center for Human Rights in Iran announced in an interview with an informed source that they are being kept in solitary confinement in ward 209. According to this source, Evin's prosecutor's office has charged all of them with "propaganda against the state and the Gathering and Colluding for acting against national security" and that critical activity in social networks and the dissemination of news of political prisoners and nationwide protests are the most important reasons for their detention and interrogation </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='21361'> He was released on bail from Evin Prison </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='26356'> The trial session of the nine accused was held in the 28th branch of the revolutionary court of Tehran. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='26357'> According to IPA, Nader Afshari, Behnam Mousivand, Mozhgan Lali, Shaghayegh Mahaki, Mahmoud Masoumi, Shima Babaei, Saeed Seyfi Jahan, Darioush Abdar and Saeed Eghbali were sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of "assembly and collusion against the national security" and one year in prison on the charge of "propagation against the system" by judge Moghiseh. By implementing article 134, five years in prison can be executed </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='29648'> <reference source='https://ipa.united4iran.org/media/file_evidence/7_ovviXV6.jpg'> According to IPA's report, The sentence of the seven defendants was upheld by the Branch 36 of Tehran Appeal Court. The trial was held without the presence of the defendants and lawyers. An informed source told IPA's reporter that Mr. Afshari has protested against the sentence, but the case has not been given to the appeals court for unknown reasons. Mahmoud Masoumi (another defendant in the case), did not protest against the primary court's decision and his sentence was confirmed </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='31175'> He began his prison term </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='31955'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26044/'> Behnam Mousivand brought a complaint to the deputy warden’s office regarding the violation of crime separation between political prisoners and criminals, and the lack of medical service for Behnam Mahjoubi who is a Nematollahi dervish. In response the deputy warden of ward eight threatened him: “I’ll see to it that you never see [the color of] freedom.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='31950'> After objecting to discrimination between financial criminals and political prisoners, he was transferred from ward four to ward eight of Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='31954'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26044/'> Four thought/political prisoners Jafar Azimzadeh, Behnam Mahjoubi, Amir Hossein Mir Khalili, and Behnam Mousivand were assaulted by general population prisoners on several occasions in one month. Jafar Azimzadeh was attacked despite having no interaction with the attackers. After the incident, he was transferred to ward four. These incidents led to protests and a sit-in by political prisoners in ward eight. They demanded the separation of crimes be implemented. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='32410'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26429/'> After showing COVID-like symptoms, he was transferred to a solitary cell in Rajaei Shahr Prison. He went on hunger strike after the transfer to this prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='32411'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26495/'> His coronavirus test was positive. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='35846'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26650/'> According to HRANA, he was returned to the general population ward from solitary after finishing his quarantine time for coronavirus. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='35847'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/letters/a-847/'> A group of political prisoners in Rajaei Shahr Prison wrote an open letter in protest of the exile of prisoners and the numerous fake cases brought against them. The signatories of the letter said the suppression and exile of civil rights activists is ineffective, and it shows the fear of the state. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='37139'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/akvanian/status/1450520324877979649?s=20'> After objecting to the body search by prison guards, Soheil Arabi and Behnam Mousivand were assaulted and transferred to quarantine. They went on a hunger strike in protest. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='37234'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2021/hranews/a-32211/'> After their transfer to ward four of Rajaei Shahr Prison, Soheil Arabi and Behnam Mousivand ended their hunger strikes. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='37780'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/Arash_sadeghii/status/1468171957543833600?s=20'> Human rights advocate Arash Sadeghi tweeted that Behnam Mousivand is suffering from prostate and kidney problems and the doctor has ordered emergency surgery for him outside the prison. But since he doesn’t accept to wear handcuffs, he is being denied medical are. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39003'> <reference source='https://ipa.united4iran.org/media/file_evidence/bhnm0msvnd.pdf'> While being transferred to the hospital, Behnam Mousivand was severely beaten by the prison guards for refusing to wear handcuffs. The guards violently took him to Rajaei Hospital in Karaj, but in protest of their violence, he refused to receive medical care and do sonography. The guards once again started beating him in the hospital, and in response, he started to chant “death to the tyrant” and “death to the dictator.” Despite refusing to receive medical treatment, his case file falsely states that he has been treated. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39004'> <reference source='https://ipa.united4iran.org/media/file_evidence/bhnm0msvnd.pdf'> In protest of the violent and inhumane behavior of the prison guards, Behnam Mousivand went on a Hunger strike. Mr. Mousivand is suffering from severe kidney and prostate but has not received any medical treatment for a long time. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39061'> <reference source='https://www.instagram.com/p/CcsvVLtDWnm/'> In a letter that United 4Iran received, Mr. Mousivand explained his condition in Rajaei Shahr Prison. He wrote that as a protest to the current conditions in Rajaei Shahr Prison, he is starting a riot with his own body and refuses to eat or drink anything but water. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39014'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/NoToExecution_/status/1517371958857551872?s=20&t=m_EBl6R2_QMmMg1qwjCpCg'> In an audio message from prison, Behnam Mousivand stated that “My only tool for resistance is my body”. He goes on to explain the reason for his hunger strike: “This hunger strike is not a demand for freedom, furlough or even medical treatment and such; it’s the embodiment of what I have said about resistance.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39013'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/Arash_sadeghii/status/1518497842255564807?s=20&t=3hpz2a02o-U6czJOXEKPpQ'> Human Rights activist Arash Sadeghi tweeted that as a result of the hunger strike and heart palpitation and severe drop in blood pressure Behnam Mousivand was transferred to Rajaei Shahr infirmary but after refusing the IV he was returned to the ward. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41493'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-34568/'> HRANA reported that Behnam Mousivand was transferred to Evin Prison without prior notice, and he wasn’t allowed to carry his personal belonging. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39062'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AmnestyIran/status/1518949557979295746?s=20&t=0cwpTfgjsRDI4c7-mej-JQ'> With the deterioration of his health and his transfer to the hospital, Amnesty International released a statement demanding his immediate release. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39064'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/Soranmansournia/status/1518899920463409153?s=20&t=0cwpTfgjsRDI4c7-mej-JQ'> Justice Seeking Mothers released a statement asking Behnam Mousivand to end his hunger strike. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39063'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/Arash_sadeghii/status/1518944844080730112?s=20&t=0cwpTfgjsRDI4c7-mej-JQ'> He was transferred to Taleghani Hospital in critical health. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39125'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/allahbakhshii/status/1521888073558155266?s=20&t=922tKdH_gxIGx57V7gYZ4Q'> After the insulting treatment of his family by the agents, he went on a dry hunger strike. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39124'> According to IPA sources, Behnam Mousivand is in terrible health. He has lost a lot of weight due to illness and hunger strikes and can barely talk. However, he is still being denied visits and his family who are at the hospital the whole time are not allowed to see him even for a minute. None of the prison officials or prosecution have met with him and no one is taking responsibility for his condition. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='39130'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/allahbakhshii/status/1522318811780767744?s=20&t=Y7n6kaJh1Rw3LB9qpGPGOQ'> He ended his hunger strike. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41491'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-35107/'> Despite his bad health, he was denied medical care. An IPA source reported that Mr. Mousivand has severe gastrointestinal problems as a result of the hunger strike, and the doctor has also recommended surgery for his kidney and prostate problems, but the cost of surgery is not covered under prisoners’ insurance, but they are neither sending him on medical leave nor accept to provide medical treatment. The source said the medication prescribed for his prostate has lost effect and the doctor is aware of this face. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41492'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-36667/'> HRANA’s sources reported that Behnam Mouivand was denied transfer to the hospital for refusing to wear a prison uniform with handcuffs and shackles. The sources say the infirmary is delivering his prostate medication with delay, which is causing him urinary problems. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41615'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-36796/'> After the authorities refused to send him to the hospital, the prison warden threatened to send him to another prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41616'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-36807/'> He was beaten by Evin Prison authorities and transferred to an undisclosed location. An HRANA source reported that prison authorities showed him a judiciary letter about his transfer to a medical center, and when they got him out of the ward, they beat him up and transferred him to an unknown location in a van. The source says Behnam was told he will be moved to another prison. In protest of his transfer to an undisclosed situation, a group of prisoners organized a sit-in. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41635'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/3KC8ZDw'> Human rights activist and former political prisoner Arash Sadeghi reported on Twitter that Behnam Mousivand has been transferred to solitary in Gohardasht Prison. He said Behnam Mousivand called his family and told them that since his transfer to solitary he has gone on a hunger strike and only drinks water. According to Mr. Sadeghi, prison authorities have not even delivered Mr. Mousivand’s medication. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41723'> <reference source='https://www.radiofarda.com/a/32014245.html'> In an interview with Radio Farda, his mother Shamsi Malmir asked the international community to be the voice of her son. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41856'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/KMwsywnd/status/1569043629368303618'> Behnam Mousivand’s sister reported on Twitter that he is still on a hunger strike. She said after Behnam’s health deteriorated and he was transferred to a hospital, he refused to receive an IV. In another tweet, she says: “My Brother’s life is in real danger. He weighs 49 kg." </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41919'> <reference source='https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-prisoner-behnam-mousivand-victim-hunger-strike/6745767.html'> Shamsi Malmir, Behnam Mousivand’s mother released a video expressing concern about Behna,’s health and the possibility of him going into a coma, and said the international community must be asked to help. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='41978'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2022/hranews/a-37091/'> According to HRANA, after prison authorities gave him a written pledge to send him to Evin Prison and allow him to finish his treatment process, he ended his hunger strike. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='47740'> He was released from prison. On February 5th, 2023, the Islamic Republic's Judiciary issued a memo that announced the beginning of the process of releasing some of the protesters arrested during the 2022 national uprising. According to the judiciary's Mizan website, and latest comments made by the spokesperson for the judiciary, this "pardon" is in honor of the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and contingent on the prisoners expressing regret; The pardon is not extended to cases with charges such as "connection to dissident groups", and "destruction of public property". However, many of the released prisoners have posted videos and notes saying they never requested a pardon and never expressed regret. There are even videos of female activists taking off their hijab and chanting against the Islamic Republic in front of the prison moments after their release. The release of prisoners being called a pardon has caused massive reaction online and some activists on social media and human rights organizations consider it a PR stunt to repair some of the damage to Ali Khamenei's image. </coverage-outsourcing>