August 1, 2024
On August 16, 2023, Karim Esmailzadeh and several other Azerbaijani civil activists faced opposition from the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran upon entering Sahand Stadium in Tabriz. The security forces attacked and beat these activists before arresting Mr. Esmailzadeh. The following day, he was taken to Branch 10 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tabriz to be charged. On August 19, after posting bail and under the order of the aforementioned branch, Karim Esmailzadeh was temporarily released pending the conclusion of the judicial process.
After an investigation, the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz sentenced Karim Esmailzadeh to six months of imprisonment on charges of "inciting and inviting people to violent acts on social media." Despite his appeal, the Second Branch of the East Azerbaijan Province Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr. Aliqoli Karimzadeh and Mr. Soleiman Qabayeli, upheld the initial verdict.
On April 17, 2024, law enforcement officers arrested Mr. Esmailzadeh and transferred him to the central prison of Tabriz to serve his six-month sentence.
Despite needing urgent medical treatment, Karim Esmailzadeh was deprived of medical attention for an extended period. Under pressure from security agencies, the Tabriz prison authorities prevented his transfer to a hospital for specialized medical care. On June 5, 2024, due to worsening health and a stomach hemorrhage, Mr. Esmailzadeh was moved to the Tabriz prison infirmary. However, the prison officials again blocked his transfer to a hospital to see a specialist. Finally, after protests by imprisoned activists at the Tabriz central prison on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, and further deterioration of his health and severe stomach pain, this Azerbaijani civil activist was taken to a hospital.
Karim Esmailzadeh is an activist in social and environmental fields. He has not broken any laws, and the charge of inciting violence against him is baseless. We, the undersigned, demand immediate medical treatment and the unconditional release of Karim Esmailzadeh from Tabriz Central Prison.
«تبلیغ خشونت در فضای مجازی» برای فعالیت قانونی و مدنی یک اتهام بیاساس است.