Kamal Abdullahzadeh: A Protesting Conscript Who Does Not Feel Free after Being Pardoned

Iranwire – Kamal Abdullahzadeh, a 22-year-old man from Kurdistan province, was arrested nearly 11 months ago after joining anti-establishment protests and refusing to continue his mandatory military service.

“I stand with the people and I refuse to fire at anyone,” Abdullahzadeh wrote in a social media post accompanying a picture of himself in military uniform.

Who exactly is this courageous young man? What has happened to his family since his arrest?

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Abdullahzadeh is from the western city of Saqqez, the hometown of Mahsa Amini whose death in police custody on September 16, 2022, sparked months of widespread protests.

Abdullahzadeh was on a nine-day leave with his family when he joined the ranks of the demonstrators and used social media to call on Iranians to join the protest movement.

Abdullahzadeh returned to his military base when his leave came to an end. Two days later, on September 28, police stormed the conscripts’ dormitory, apprehended Abdullahzadeh, and confiscated his belongings. 

“In addition to his physical presence [at the demonstrations], Kamal had been posting content against the government on the online platforms. Members of the [paramilitary] Basij force noticed these posts and reported him to the police station,” a relative told IranWire.

The young man remained in solitary confinement for 40 days in Tehran’s Evin prison during which he was subjected to intensive interrogation. 

He could only communicate with his family on five occasions – for less than two minutes.

Abdullahzadeh was then transferred to Fashafouyeh prison, also known as Great Tehran Prison.

“Kamal confided in us about the constant fear and anxiety he experienced throughout this ordeal. Another 45 days passed until he was finally granted bail.”another individual close to Abdullahzadeh told IranWire.

Abdullahzadeh was released on December 17, after posting a hefty bail of 1 billion tomans ($20,000) and spending a total of 85 days behind bars.

He was later sentenced to five years and eight months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “gathering and colluding against national security” and “propaganda activity” against the Islamic Republic. 

While an appellate court upheld the initial verdict, Abdullahzadeh released a video narrating his arrest and trial.

“Amnesty” before Reimprisonment

In February, government media announced that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was offering “amnesty” to thousands of prisoners. 

However, many of those who were granted pardon have since been summoned again, threatened or imprisoned.

For Abdullahzadeh, the “amnesty” led to the closure of his case.

But according to a close friend, the man faced difficulties reintegrating into normal life. 

“After regaining freedom Kamal faced a set of challenges and quandaries. These included considering emigrating and leaving his homeland and family,” a relative said. 

“One constant refrain from Kamal after his release is that leaving prison doesn’t equate to total liberation. True freedom, he asserts, will be found when Iranian society undergoes profound transformation and becomes completely free.”