Throughout Jamshid Sharmahd’s investigation and trial, proceedings, he was denied access to an independent lawyer of his own choosing and the right to defend himself. His government-appointed lawyer told his family on 2 July 2022 that there was “no point” to him objecting against the Revolutionary Court admitting his forced “confessions” as evidence. Prior to this, on 9 May 2021, the government-appointed lawyer said that without payment of US$250,000 from the family, he would not defend Jamshid Sharmahd in court and would only “sit there [in court]”. He was convicted of the charge of “corruption on earth” which is not clearly defined in law, and as such contravenes the principle of legality. His appeal in front of the Supreme Court is pending.
