Hoda Tohidi
Zohre Tohidi

Hadi Tohidi, a journalist, was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison to serve his sentence on June 1, 2023, after appearing at the Evin Courthouse. Saeed Khalili, the defense attorney for these citizens, announced that the clerk of the issuing branch had previously stated twice that these two journalists had been pardoned and their case had been closed. Mr. Khalili also cited Hadi Tohidi's lack of objection to the issued verdict as "his client's despair of impartial examination and execution of justice."

The Judiciary News Agency wrote about the conviction of this citizen: Hadi Tohidi was sentenced to 5 years in prison on charges of gathering and collusion against national security, of which three-quarters of the sentence was suspended and one quarter was executive (punitive). Following the submission of surrender to the verdict by the accused, one quarter of the issued executive prison sentence has also been deducted. The Judiciary News Agency also claimed in a report that the contents of the case and the inquiry of the courthouse officer show that Hadi Tohidi was in contact with opposition and overthrow groups and therefore does not qualify for a pardon. In this regard, Mr. Khalili said: "He had no membership in opposition groups and essentially no such charge has been brought against him and there is no reason or evidence for it. Therefore, they meet all the conditions for a pardon."

Hadi Tohidi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 22, 2022, along with his journalist sister. Both were released from prison on bail on December 17 of the same year.

The information provided is extracted from HRANA news on June 5, 2023.