The Iranian regime has sentenced two bereaved mothers, Mahboubeh Ramezani and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, each to 1.5 years in prison. These women, known as “Mothers of Aban,” have been advocating for justice for their children, who were killed during the November 2019 uprising in Iran.
Background of the Case
Mahboubeh Ramezani, mother of Pejman Gholipour, and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh, mother of Navid Behboudi, were convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “membership in the Mothers of Aban group,” and “insulting Ali Khamenei,” the regime’s Supreme Leader. The sentences, initially issued by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar, were upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court, leaving no room for further appeal.
Who Were Navid Behboudi and Pejman Gholipour?
Navid Behboudi was a promising 24-year-old student of mechanical engineering, born in September 1996 in Tehran. A top student during his schooling years, Navid was killed on November 17, 2019, in Qaleh Hasan Khan, a district near Tehran, after security forces shot him directly.
Pejman Gholipour, born on August 29, 2001, had recently graduated from high school. He was killed during the protests when security forces fired five bullets at him.
The November 2019 Protests
The protests, sparked by a sudden fuel price hike, erupted across nearly 200 cities and towns in Iran, with approximately 900 demonstrations. The uprising saw intense participation from women and young people. Protesters targeted symbols of regime control, including gas stations, banks, seminaries, and government offices.
The regime responded with brutal force, killing at least 1,500 protesters within 48 hours, according to human rights organizations. Cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Karaj, Behbahan, Kermanshah, and Mahshahr witnessed mass killings, with security forces using guns, heavy weaponry, and even tanks. Additionally, 12,000 protesters were arrested, and 4,000 others were injured.
Mothers of Aban
The Mothers of Aban, including Ramezani and Yousefzadeh, are a group of women demanding accountability for their children’s deaths during the November 2019 crackdown. Despite facing arrests, interrogations, and judicial harassment, these mothers have persistently advocated for justice and voiced their opposition to the regime’s human rights abuses.
The sentencing of Mahboubeh Ramezani and Rahimeh Yousefzadeh underscores the Iranian regime’s relentless crackdown on dissent and its effort to silence voices demanding justice for those killed during the November 2019 uprising. These women’s unwavering determination to seek justice serves as a poignant reminder of the heavy price paid by those who challenge tyranny in Iran.
