Iranian judge gives unorthodox verdict
A judge made an interesting decision in a case involving someone who had helped a suspect escape from police. The accused was sentenced to provide free meals to eight homeless individuals staying at shelters for eight weeks in a row.
In the summer of 2023, police officers in Tehran were trying to arrest a wanted man when they found his hideout in a restaurant in Lavasanat, northeastern Tehran. The owner of the restaurant then allowed the suspect to run away by delaying the officers, according to Tasnim News Agency.
The owner was quickly arrested and taken to a district court for investigation. During questioning, he admitted his crime of helping the wanted to evade capture because he was his friend.
After completing their initial investigation, the Lavasanat Prosecutor’s Office charged the accused with aiding a fugitive. The trial took place in Branch 102 of Lavasan Two County Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Meysam Hosseinpour.
During court proceedings, the man in the dock, who later confessed to his crime, was arraigned on several charges. He expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness from Judge Hosseinpour who presided over the trial.
Following due legal process, the judge issued his verdict on the case. Considering that there was no prior criminal record and acknowledging remorse shown by the accused; rather than sentencing him to eight months’ imprisonment as initially anticipated, he instead ordered him to feed eight homeless individuals living in shelters within Lavasan city for eight consecutive weeks. The convict must take the homeless to his restaurant and serve them free food during this period.