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Agrin Sedighi: Political Prisoner Serving Six-Month Sentence in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Agrin Sedighi, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

Agrin Sedighi, a political prisoner, is currently serving her sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Ms. Sedighi was previously sentenced to six months in prison by Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Ms. Sedighi, aged around 23, is serving her prison term in the women’s ward of Vakilabad Prison.

Based on HRANA’s findings, Ms. Sedighi was arrested on July 17, 2024, after appearing before Branch 21 of the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office for enforcement of sentences. She was then transferred to Vakilabad Prison. Earlier, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to six months in prison on charges of “propaganda on the Internet in support of the Zionist regime.”

The activities cited in support of these charges included social media posts, which the court interpreted as examples of propaganda against the regime.

Nasrin Roshan: Iranian-British Dual National Serving Three-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nasrin Roshan, Tehran, نسرین روشن

Nasrin Roshan, an Iranian-British dual national, is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in Evin Prison. Her sentence was handed down by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the initial ruling against Ms. Roshan was issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. She was originally sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” However, after filing an appeal, her total sentence was reduced to three years.

Sources close to the case have reported that the charges against Ms. Roshan, who resided in the United Kingdom for many years, were based on her participation in protests abroad following the death of Mahsa Amini.

HRANA’s investigation revealed that Ms. Roshan was arrested on November 16, 2023, at Imam Khomeini International Airport while attempting to leave Iran. She was subsequently detained in a solitary confinement cell within the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Born in 1963, Ms. Roshan was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on January 1, 2024, after completing her interrogation.

This case highlights the ongoing risks faced by dual nationals and activists engaging in protests or dissent abroad.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Atefeh Rangriz Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atefeh Rangriz, Damghan, Hossein Taj, Iranian women’s rights activist, Shahroud

Atefeh Rangriz, a women’s rights activist, has been sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 102 of the Second Criminal Court of Damghan in connection with another segment of her legal case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, this latest sentence was issued on charges of “spreading falsehoods.”

Her attorney, Hossein Taj, shared the news in a statement, noting that Branch 102 of the Damghan Criminal Court imposed this two-year sentence. On Tuesday, December 3, Ms. Rangriz was temporarily released on a three-day medical furlough.

This new ruling follows a series of previous convictions. Earlier this month, the Revolutionary Court of Damghan sentenced her to seven years in prison for forming a Telegram group, deemed disruptive by authorities, and an additional seven months for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also imposed a two-year ban on her online activities.

Ms. Rangriz had been granted medical leave on November 6 from Shahroud Prison due to her worsening health condition.

Rangriz has a history of arrests and convictions due to her activism. Her latest arrest occurred on September 10, 2023, when security forces detained her in Damghan. She was subsequently released on bail on October 21, 2023. This new sentence relates to an earlier case in which the Shahroud Revolutionary Court convicted her of “collaboration and membership in groups opposing the regime,” sentencing her to two years, seven months, and 16 days in prison. She also received an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” Rangriz began serving this earlier sentence on June 30, 2024, in Shahroud Prison.

Suran Yousefi Arrested by Security Forces in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Suran Yousefi, سوران یوسفی

Suran Yousefi, a resident of Bukan, was arrested by security forces today, December 4, 2024, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

HRANA has identified the individual as Suran Yousefi, 36 years old, married, and the father of a young child, from the village of Salamat in the Bukan region.

A source close to Yousefi’s family confirmed the news, telling HRANA, “He was arrested at his home this morning by security forces without a warrant and taken to an unknown location. The lack of information about his whereabouts has caused concern among his family.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Prisoner Executed in Yasuj Prison

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Executions, News
Gachsaran, HRANA, Sadegh Asadi, Yasuj, Yasuj Prison

At dawn yesterday, December 3, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges of murder was executed in Yasuj Prison.

The identity of the prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Sadegh Asadi, approximately 40 years old and a resident of Gachsaran.

Based on HRANA’s information, the prisoner was arrested five years ago for the murder of a relative and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly announced the execution.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

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Narges Mohammadi Released on Medical Leave Following Suspension of Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Mostafa Nili, Narges Mohammadi, نرگس محمدی

Today, December 4, Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, was granted a 21-day medical leave after her prison sentence was temporarily suspended.

Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, explained, “Based on a forensic report, the Tehran prosecutor suspended her sentence for three weeks due to her medical condition following surgery to remove a tumor and a bone graft performed 21 days ago. Fortunately, the tumor was benign, but she requires check-ups every three months.”

Mohammadi has long suffered from heart conditions, breast masses, and chronic back pain. Despite needing urgent medical care, including angiography, she often faced denial of access to treatment. On October 27, she was hospitalized for surgery and  returned to prison on November 16.

Narges Mohammadi has faced numerous convictions, totaling 15 years and 6 months of prison sentences, as well as 154 lashes, exile, and restrictions on travel and social activities.

In 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.”

Teacher Azad Khadem Detained in Saqqez, Whereabouts Unknown

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Azad Khadem, HRANA, Saqqez

Azad Khadem, a teacher residing in Saqqez, has been detained by security forces for ten days, with no information available about his place of detention.

A source close to the teacher’s family told HRANA, “Mr. Khadem was arrested by security forces in Saqqez on Monday, November 25. Since then, no details have emerged about his location, exacerbating concerns among his family and loved ones.”

As of the time this report was prepared, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Azad Khadem is a teacher, a father of one, and a resident of Saqqez.

Two Women and a Man Executed in Ilam Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Ilam prison

At dawn yesterday, December 2, 2024, the death sentences of three prisoners, including two women who had previously been convicted of murder, were carried out in Ilam Prison.

HRANA has identified two of the prisoners as Farideh Jafarzadeh (female) and Hassan Hassan-Beigi (male).

The three individuals had been arrested on murder charges and subsequently sentenced to death by criminal courts.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not announced the executions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Four Individuals Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence Forces in Pakdasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
Pakdasht

The Prosecutor General of Pakdasht has announced the arrest of four individuals in the city, accusing them of being “operational elements of the Monafeqin group” and engaging in “sabotage and espionage activities.” The arrests were reportedly carried out by the Ministry of Intelligence forces.

According to HRANA, citing IRNA, these four individuals were apprehended in Pakdasht County, Tehran Province.

Prosecutor Mohammad Hassanpour stated that the detainees were identified and arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence. He alleged that they were involved in activities linked to the “Monafeqin group,” a term used by the Islamic Republic to refer to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), an opposition group.

No details about the identities of the detainees or their current location have been provided in the report.

This incident raises further concerns about the lack of transparency regarding detainees’ conditions and rights.

Roshanak Molaei Flogged in Qarchak Prison for Violating Hijab Laws

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
compulsory hijab, HRANA, Qarchak Prison, Roshanak Molaei, Tehran, Varamin, روشنک مولایی

Roshanak Molaei Alishah, a 26-year-old Tehran resident, was released from Qarchak Prison in Varamin on Saturday, November 23, 2024, following the execution of a 14-lash sentence. Her case has drawn attention as she was initially subjected to street harassment but was instead arrested and prosecuted for non-compliance with mandatory hijab laws.

Ms. Molaei had previously been sentenced by Branch 1097 of the Ershad Court to 74 lashes and a two-year travel ban for “damaging public chastity.” Her sentence was reduced under a judicial provision deducting three lashes for each day of detention.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, reported that her trial was held via video conference on November 19. After the court issued its ruling, Ms. Molaei’s sentence was partially served during her time in detention. The remaining 14 lashes were carried out at the Qarchak Prison Execution Office before her release.

The case dates back to October 31, when a video circulated on social media showing a male motorcyclist harassing Ms. Molaei in the street. She confronted her harasser in the incident, which went viral. Instead of receiving support, Ms. Molaei was summoned by judicial authorities for violating hijab laws. Authorities reportedly filed a case against the motorcyclist for harassment as well.

A source close to Ms. Molaei told HRANA that she was first arrested on November 2 and taken to the Duty Branch of District 38 Prosecutor’s Office. She was briefly released that evening but was summoned again the following day. On November 4, she was re-arrested and transferred to Qarchak Prison.

Ms. Molaei’s case has highlighted ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in Iran, particularly those who challenge or are accused of violating strict hijab laws.