Mohammadreza Tabari

The Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the judiciary, reported the first court session for one of the detained protesters. According to the report published in Mizan, the individual's name is Mohammadreza Tabari, son of Farajollah, and it is claimed that he is one of the leaders of the nationwide protests in January 2026.

Based on the indictment published in Mizan, Mohammadreza Tabari is accused of "waging war against God through brandishing a firearm with the intent to intimidate the public and security forces, conducting operations in favor of royalist groups affiliated with the detestable Zionist regime, and creating public fear and panic by shooting at security forces."

Mizan News Agency wrote that Mohammadreza Tabari was present in the town of Baharestan in the Orin neighborhood on January 8, 2026, and participated in "illegal gatherings." He allegedly possessed a "handgun" and shot at security forces, with images and videos documented in the case file and reports from judicial officers.

A Basij force member, who is claimed to have been injured by the accused's gunfire, was also present in court as a complainant.

A representative of the prosecutor stated that the primary suspect, Mr. Tabari, "was not arrested but regretted his actions about three days later and turned himself in to the security forces. The issue of repentance and expression of remorse by the accused can be subject to Note 1 of Article 114 of the Islamic Penal Code and Article 9 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage and Collaboration with the Zionist Regime and Hostile Countries against National Security and Interests, ratified in 2026, which stipulates that any reduction or acknowledgment of the accused's repentance is subject to the court's decision."

According to Note 1 of Article 114 of the Islamic Penal Code, "repentance before arrest or gaining control over the individual results in the dropping of the prescribed punishment." This means that in Mr. Tabari's case, the prescribed punishment for waging war, such as execution, amputation, or exile, is nullified and cannot be enforced.

Under Article 9 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage, individuals who turn themselves in within 15 days of the law's enactment may be eligible for leniency.

*Translated on 2026-03-13*