Ashkan Balouch

Ashkan Balouch

Ashkan Balouch was arrested during the 2022 uprising in Tehran. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Mr. Balouch allegedly attempted suicide in February 2023 while serving time in Greater Tehran Prison.

The national uprising of 2022 centered around the “woman, life, freedom” slogan was triggered in response to the murder of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini. The protests began sporadically in several cities and online space but in just a few days it spread to dozens of cities across Iran and the goal of the protesters changed to overthrowing the regime. <symbol-timeline></symbol-timeline>

  • <coverage-outsourcing id='48945'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-39465/'> Ashkan Balouch was arrested during the 2022 uprising. HRANA later reported that the was sentenced to five years in prison but the report did not mention the branch that issued the sentence and the charges brought against him. Based on similar cases, it is likely that he was charged with assembly and collusion to act against national security. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
  • <coverage-outsourcing id='48946'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-39465/'> Ashkan Balouch attempted suicide in prison. HRANA reported that he cut his wrist and was transferred to the hospital for treatment. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
  • <coverage-outsourcing id='48947'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/1500tasvir/status/1620413836737273858'> The 1500+ Tasvir account on Twitter reported that Ashkan Balouch has fallen from the window on the third floor of the hospital and had several fractures and he is in critical condition. One of his relatives told the Twitter account that he visited Mr. Balouch last week and he was in good spirits, and there were no talks about losing hope or committing suicide: > Since he has attempted suicide twice in three days, it could be that there is not suicide at all and it is the Islamic Republic trying to kill him while making it look like a suicide. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>