Urgent Petition for the Determination of Legal Status and Release of Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari
3
Signatures
500
Goal
February 24, 2026
Addressed to:
The Head of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Prolonged Detention Without Trial Is a Clear Violation of Citizens’ Rights
We, the undersigned, express our deep concern regarding the continued detention of Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari, Azerbaijani civil activists. More than 105 days after their arrest, both individuals remain in legal limbo in Hall 12 of Ward 7, the quarantine section of Evin Prison, Tehran, deprived of their basic legal rights and access to adequate medical care.
Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari were arrested on November 11, 2025, outside Evin Prison. After 44 days in solitary confinement in a Ministry of Intelligence detention facility, they were transferred on December 31, 2025, to the quarantine section of Ward 7 at Evin Prison. They have remained in detention ever since, without a clear judicial determination of their case.
In brief telephone calls with their families, the detainees reported severe beatings at the time of arrest. Mr. Lesani has complained of numbness in his toes, acute pain resulting from the beatings, and the worsening of a pre-existing spinal disc condition. Despite these reported health concerns, prison authorities have refused to deliver even basic pain medication and supplements provided by the family.
While two other detainees in the same case, Ali Kheirjou and Behzad Dashti, have been released on substantial bail, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari remain in custody, a disparity that heightens concerns regarding violations of due process and equal treatment under the law.
Grounds for Concern
- Prolonged Indefinite Detention: Holding detainees for more than 105 days without a formal judicial resolution violates fundamental rights.
- Denial of Medical Care: Multiple reports of physical injury, coupled with the refusal to provide medication, place their health at serious risk.
- Allegations of Physical Abuse: The failure to conduct an independent investigation into claims of beatings during arrest constitutes a violation of basic human rights standards.
- Violation of the Presumption of Innocence and Fair Trial Guarantees: Extended detention without transparent legal proceedings contradicts both domestic legal principles and international human rights obligations.
- Security-Driven Treatment of Azerbaijani Civil Activists: Such practices contribute to public distrust and undermine social justice.
Our Demands
- The immediate clarification of the judicial status of Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari, and their release on bail pending trial.
- Their immediate referral to forensic medical authorities to document injuries and provide necessary medical treatment.
- An independent and transparent investigation into allegations of physical abuse and unlawful conduct during arrest.
- Full observance of fair trial standards, including unrestricted access to legal counsel and regular family visitation.
- An end to the practice of prolonged detention without trial for civil activists.
Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari are entitled to the full protection of their legal rights. Their continued indefinite detention constitutes a violation of justice and the rule of law.
We call for their immediate release and a fair, transparent adjudication of their case.
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For background information see:
Petition for the Release of Abbas Lesani, an Azerbaijani Political Prisoner
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See where all the votes are coming from
Province Number of signatures Alborz 1 Ardabil 0 Bushehr 0 Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari 0 East Azerbaijan 0 Fars 0 Gilan 0 Golestan 0 Hamadan 0 Hormozgan 0 Ilam 0 Isfahan 0 Kerman 0 Kermanshah 0 Khuzestan 0 Kohgiluyehv And Boyer Ahmad 0 Kurdistan 0 Lorestan 0 Markazi 0 Mazandaran 1 North Khorasan 0 Qazvin 0 Qom 0 Razavi Khorasan 0 Semnan 0 Sistan and Baluchestan 0 South Khorasan 0 Tehran 0 West Azerbaijan 0 Yazd 0 Zanjan 0 This petition has received 3 signatures so far. Approximately 100% of signatures come from Iran. Approximately 0% of signatures come from outside of Iran. Learn how Daadkhast generates signature maps. -
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بازداشت طولانی بدون محاکمه غیرقانونی و غیرانسانی است.
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بازداشت طولانی بدون محاکمه غیرقانونی و غیرانسانی است.
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A civil rights activist started this petition
بازداشت طولانی بدون محاکمه غیرقانونی و غیرانسانی است.