Former Tehran prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi, who was behind some of the most notorious prison deaths in Iran the last decade, was apprehended April 22 and transferred to Evin prison, where he will serve a two-year sentence for being an accessory to murder in 2009.
On April 12, a spokesman for Iran’s judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, when asked about Mortazavi’s longstanding case, said, “His verdict has been issued, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to find him.” Mohseni-Ejei’s comments instantly went viral, with Iranians mockingly posting “Wanted” pictures of Mortazavi on social media. Iranian social media users also posted pictures of “Wanted” posters that had been put up on Iranian streets. That a former high government official, one who was often still seen in attendance at official gatherings or Friday prayers, could not be found was laughable to most Iranians. He was apprehended over the weekend in a village in northern Iran.