The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated two Iranian judges pursuant to EO 13846 for engaging in censorship and other activities with respect to Iran on or after July 12, 2009 that prohibit, limit, or penalize the exercise of freedom of expression or assembly by citizens of Iran.
According to OFAC, Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh oversaw the Iranian regime’s miscarriage of justice in trials punishing individuals for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced them to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and execution. Salavati sentenced more than 100 political prisoners, human rights activists, media workers, and others. Moghisseh has sentenced journalists and internet users to lengthy prison terms including one case in which he sentenced eight Iranian Facebook users to a cumulative total of 127 years in prison for charges including anti-regime publicity and insults to religion. Moghisseh also pressed questionable charges against members of Iran’s Baha’i religious minority, prosecuting them for participation in activities such as propaganda against the state and assembly and collusion against national security, after they reportedly held prayer and worship ceremonies with other members.
As a result of the designations, all US property belonging to Salavati and Moghisseh is blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from dealing with the property or property interests of blocked or designated persons. Also, persons that engage in transactions with the designated individuals may themselves be exposed to designation.