Fatemeh Rohandeh, Lawyer, Rearrested in Kerman

Fatemeh Rohandeh, an attorney-at-law, was rearrested in Kerman on May 19 and remains in temporary detention. Previously sentenced to a ban from social media membership, she joined domestic platforms following the war and during internet blackouts, an action that led to a new judicial case against her. According to a report by Emtedad, her case is currently at the ruling stage.

Fatemeh Rohandeh was first arrested in March of last year for publishing content in support of those detained during the January protests. In that case, she faced charges of “publishing falsehoods.” Following her initial arrest, three judicial orders were issued against the lawyer: a one-year suspension from practicing law, a ban on activities in cyberspace, and one month of temporary detention.

Through follow-ups by the Bar Association, the suspension from practicing law was revoked, as under legal regulations, an investigator or prosecutor’s assistant does not have the authority to suspend a lawyer from practicing without a definitive court ruling.

Nevertheless, Fatemeh Rohandeh’s presence on certain domestic messaging applications was deemed by authorities to be a violation of her judicial supervision order, leading to her rearrest in late May.

The media outlet, citing legal experts, also noted that temporary detention is reserved for specific offenses, and charges of “publishing falsehoods” do not typically warrant a temporary detention order. Consequently, some legal analysts view the continued detention of this attorney as lacking a legal basis and have called for her immediate release.