Hovideh Qarest, known as Nura Khariji, one of the detainees of the seventh ceremony of Khosrow Alikerdie, was sentenced to a total of four years and four months in prison by the First Branch of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. His trial took place while he was unable to attend due to illness, and he had previously filed a request to change the time of the hearing. The veterinary doctor, who holds a doctorate, has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for the charge of «assembly and collusion,» and to nine months in prison for the charge of «propaganda against the regime.».
The trial took place in his absence and without his lawyer present
The hearing on the rights activist’s charges on September 10, 2023, took place without his presence and his defense lawyer. Despite the request to change the date of the hearing being submitted due to illness, the hearing was held on the scheduled date. The published details do not clarify what the court answered to his request and why his defense lawyer was not present at the hearing. Also, there is no information about the finalization of the verdict or the outcome of any possible appeal.
Arrest at the seventh ceremony of Khosrow Aleikardi
On December 21, 2022, during the seventh Khosrow Alikerdie ceremony in Mashhad, Hekparast was arrested. After a month in detention, he was released on a temporary bond. Khosrow Alikerdie, a lawyer and human rights defender, passed away on the evening of December 14, 2022. His seventh funeral was accompanied by a large crowd of people and slogans of protest. The seventh ceremony at the Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad was turned violent with the intervention of the police, and at least 27 people, including Hekparast, were detained.
