Shahriar Shams

Shahriar Shams was arrested in Tehran for participating in the country-wide uprising of January 2017. At the time of the arrest, he was 18 years old and a freshman in university studying fluid mechanics. He was beaten and tortured during his arrest and interrogations. He was sentenced to prison for his participation in the protests.

• <coverage-outsourcing id='31458'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/shahriyar_shams/status/1555471419676434432'> According to IPA sources, while returning from protests, he was beaten up and arrested by IRGC agents without a warrant and was taken to a safe house near Inqilab Square in Tehran. The agents physically tortured him on several occasions. “The agents would cuff his hands behind his back and pull him up by his cuffed hands forcefully,” sources said about the methods of torture. This is a common method of torture that can damage the shoulders of the victim. Another source told IPA that the agents were trying to humiliate him by torture and weren’t after any information. The source said the agents also threatened Shahriar Shams with using tasers and execution. According to IPA sources, some of his ribs were broken under torture, but during his time in custody, he did not receive any serious medical treatment. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39690'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/shahriyar_shams/status/1555471422117625856?s=20&t=RiPmVkRGZktCvlDJ97ehkg'> He was moved from the safe house to the 1-Alef detention. An IPA source emphasized that Shahriar Shams was taken to this jail at midnight and immediately to the interrogation room. The informed source said the interrogation continued until dawn, and the interrogators wanted to force Mr. Shams to falsely testify against himself. According to the source, “they were telling him you must confess where you get your orders. He was interrogated for long periods of time repeatedly, and in addition to beatings and torture, he was also threatened with expulsion from the university and sexual assault. The agents would also make him and the other arrested protesters do sit-ups just to humiliate them.” Regarding the humiliating behavior of the agents in 1-Alef detention, the source who was in jail with Shahriar Shams at that time told IPA: “When Shahriar was standing in the corridor blindfolded, an IRGC agent asked his name, and after Shahriar responded, he smacked him behind the head and left.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39691'> According to IPA sources, for the first time since his arrest, he was allowed to call her family. He had not been arraigned yet and was denied visitation rights and yard time. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39755'> His last examination session was held at the prosecutor’s office in Evin Prison. According to IPA sources, the investigator threatened Shahriar Shams during the session: “Only write down the same things you said in the interrogation; if you don’t remember I’ll revoke the bail.” Sources confirm that he was not informed of the charges against him in this session. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39754'> IPA sources reported that around this day he was transferred to ward four of Evin Prison and was released on bail a day later. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39746'> His trial session was held in early March at the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Salavati. IPA sources said in this session Judge Salavati accused him of association with the “dissidents of the state” and named some individuals as dissidents connected to the case; but Mr. Shams didn’t know any of them and their name was not mentioned in the case. Soon after (probably late March) he received his trial verdict. The court sentenced him to five years in prison for assembly and collusion with intent to act against national security, two years in prison for disturbing public opinion, and one year in prison for propaganda against the state. Based on article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he will spend five years in prison. The sources also said that at some point before the trial session was held, the secretary of the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran in response to Mr. Shams’ inquiries about introducing his lawyer, said: “Mr. Salavati doesn’t have any patience for lawyers. Even if you introduce one, we won’t accept them.” </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39750'> The appeal court reduced his sentence. According to an IPA source, the 36th branch of the appeal court of Tehran province presided by Judge Babai sentenced Shahriar Shams to three years and six months and a day for assembly and collusion with intent to act against national security. The source said he was also sentenced to two years ban from social activities, but it was not clear what type of social activities. After applying article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he can spend three years and six months and a day in prison. In addition to his discretionary punishment, his social activity ban might also be enforced. Sources told IPA that the appeal trial was held in absence of Mr. Shams and his attorney, who explained that after their objection to the preliminary verdict, from 2018 to 2020 Mr. Shams visited the related branches of the Revolutionary Court and appellate court to find out the result of his appeal request; but the branches claimed they do not have his case. Therefore, his attorney was only able to review his client’s case after the case was transferred to the verdict enforcement unit. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='31460'> <reference source=''> He went to Evin prison to serve his sentence. According to IPA sources he had recently had gum surgery, therefore, he asked the verdict enforcement unit to give him a few days so he can recover before going to prison but his request was denied. The source explained that in Evin Prison removing the stitches from the surgery area was delayed for three weeks. During this time Evin infirmary would claim that they do not have stitch scissors. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39752'> Sources told IPA that Mr. Shams received his medicine with several days' delay. Mr. Shams suffers from an auto-immune disease and needs to take special medicine at specific times. According to the sources, even though his illness is documented in his case, Evin infirmary officials delivered the medicine several days late and told him: “This time is an exception. After this, we can’t give you any medicine.” </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39753'> He went on furlough. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39825'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/shahriyar_shams/status/1533487166608769025?s=20&t=sofPi5kzosxQtmvgprh_Qw'> Shahriar Shams posted a video on Twitter saying he has received a notice to return to prison in six days to continue serving his sentence. Mr. Shams explained that he has not surrendered himself to prison because he believes he has not committed any crime and, in his opinion, “expressing objection” is not a crime. Mr. Shams added that he intends to return to prison in two days because his bailer has received a warning that if Mr. Shams does not return to prison by that day, his bail will be confiscated. In the video, he declares: “If what we hear is against our logic, brain, and humanity, we shouldn’t accept it just because the person saying it is powerful.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='39826'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/shahriyar_shams/status/1534226970279657472'> He tweeted that he returned to Evin Prison today to continue serving his sentence, but he was not admitted. He said they told him that his leave has been extended, even though he had not requested any extension of leave. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>