495 Days of Detention: Ongoing Suffering of Ahwazi Student Mehdi Me’mar in Sheiban Prison

Ahwazi student Mehdi Me’mar continues to face arbitrary detention in Sheiban Prison, run by the Iranian authorities in the city of Ahwaz, despite nearly 495 days having passed since his arrest and his acquittal on some of the charges brought against him by the Court of Appeals.

His continued imprisonment without a final ruling on his other case highlights a flagrant violation of human rights and international legal standards.

Me’mar was arrested at his home on April 17, 2024, by Iranian security forces. Since then, he has remained confined in Sheiban Prison and has not been granted temporary release on bail, despite repeated requests from his lawyer and family, which have been met with silence or vague responses from judicial authorities.

On December 7, 2024, the Ahwaz Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Pour Seraj, sentenced Mehdi Me’mar to six months in prison.

However, the Appeals Court (Branch 21) overturned the ruling and acquitted him after reviewing the evidence and defense.

Nevertheless, the acquittal did not put an end to Me’mar’s ordeal, as it covered only part of the charges against him. The other part of the case remains under review by the Revolutionary Court, which held a session on March 10, 2025, to consider serious accusations, including assembly and conspiracy against national security, propaganda against the regime, and affiliation with opposition groups. So far, no final verdict has been issued, deepening the uncertainty and anxiety for his family and lawyer.

Observers believe that Mehdi Me’mar’s continued detention, despite partial acquittal and the absence of a final ruling in the other case, constitutes arbitrary imprisonment that contravenes international law.

They also stress that the denial of temporary release on bail violates the principle of presumption of innocence and reflects political and security-driven motives behind the judicial decision.

International human rights organizations have confirmed that Mehdi Me’mar’s case is a clear example of systematic violations carried out by the Iranian authorities against Ahwazis, particularly those who express their opinions or take part in protest activities.