Iranian Cleric-Lawmaker Jailed for Criticizing Parliament Speaker

Iranian lawmaker and cleric Hamid Reza Rezaei has begun serving a ten-month prison sentence at Tehran's Evin prison. The conviction stems from a publication in early 2024, where Rezaei accused Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf of manipulating parliamentary documents. Rezaei surrendered to the Special Court for Clergy in Tehran on September 27 and was immediately sent to Evin, where he will be held in a special section for clerics.

The case originated from an article titled "Ghalibaf's Manipulations of Parliamentary Documents" published in the conservative weekly "9 Dey," which Rezaei edited at the time. He later released a video calling Ghalibaf a "parliamentary dictator." While acquitted of the document manipulation charge, Rezaei was found guilty of spreading false information with intent to harm. The initial sentence was handed down on February 8, 2026, and upheld by an appeals court on May 31, making the verdict final.

The Iranian judiciary emphasized that Rezaei's current status as a member of parliament is irrelevant to the conviction, as the publications predated his election. Rezaei acknowledged his obligation to serve the sentence but labeled the decision politically motivated, noting that similar offenses typically result in fines, not imprisonment. The court also ordered a public retraction published in "9 Dey," though the publication has reportedly been inactive for about two years.

Rezaei, a prominent figure in Iran's conservative camp, has a history of strong stances, including opposition to negotiations with the U.S. He previously criticized Ghalibaf's involvement in diplomatic processes in May 2026. Ghalibaf, representing a faction favoring diplomatic flexibility, has clashed with Rezaei's hardline approach toward the U.S. The judiciary maintains the conviction is solely for spreading false information, not for the substance of the document manipulation claims.

Rezaei has also criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian and the government's policies, suggesting a review of presidential powers. His imprisonment as a sitting lawmaker from a conservative segment is seen as politically significant. Evin prison, located in northern Tehran, has a long history of holding political prisoners and has been the subject of human rights concerns, particularly following an Israeli strike in June 2025 that reportedly caused significant casualties.