According to reports received by the Hana Human Rights Organization, the nine-year sentence of Ta’zir imprisonment imposed on Dr. Nabi Omidi, a resident of Malekshahi and an associate professor of economics at Payam Noor University in illam, has been upheld in full by Branch One of the illam Province Court of Appeals. Under the rules governing the application of the heaviest sentence, five years of the prison term will be enforceable.
Hana had previously reported that Dr. Nabi Omidi was sentenced to a total of nine years of imprisonment by Branch One of the illam Revolutionary Court in connection with his support for the January 2026 protests. The charges included “acting against national security,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “propaganda against the state.”
In addition to imprisonment, supplementary penalties were imposed on him, including expulsion from and dismissal from his position at Payam Noor University in illam, a travel ban, confiscation of his passport, and a ban on entering Malekshahi County. His dismissal from the university has already been enforced.
Dr. Nabi Omidi was arrested on the evening of Sunday, January 4, 2026, along with his brother, Ali Akbar Omidi, by security forces acting without presenting a judicial warrant. According to available information, he was severely beaten during the arrest, sustaining fractures to his hand and nose.
It should be noted that, after spending 30 days in solitary confinement at the illam Intelligence Department detention facility and being denied access to a lawyer and visits from his family, Dr. Omidi was transferred to illam Central Prison. He was eventually released temporarily on bail in March-April 2026.