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Christian Convert Ghazal Marzban Sentenced to Prison, Flogging, and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Ghazal Marzban, HRANA, Iman Afshari

Ghazal Marzban, a Christian convert detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six months in prison, 74 lashes, and supplementary penalties by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, citing Hyrakani, Ms. Marzban was convicted of “propaganda against the regime” and “appearing in public without a hijab.” The ruling, issued by Judge Iman Afshari, stipulates that one-third of the six-month prison sentence is enforceable, with the remaining portion suspended. Additionally, she has been sentenced to 74 lashes and a five-year ban on mobile phone use as supplementary punishment.

In protest against her ongoing detention and judicial uncertainty, Ms. Marzban began a hunger strike on December 22, which she ended after six days.

A convert to Catholic Christianity, Ms. Marzban was arrested on November 5 near Tehran’s Vali-e-Asr Square for chanting protest slogans. After being held at the Vozara Detention Center, she was transferred to Evin Prison’s women’s ward on November 7.

A source previously informed HRANA, “Ms. Marzban spoke out in the crowd, appealing to Pope Francis about the widespread poverty and oppression in Iran, urging him to respond to the actions of the Iranian government. Her arrest was unrelated to her faith and was solely due to her public protest.”

Ghazal Marzban Jorshari, 41, is a law graduate and a resident of Tehran.

Execution of Five Prisoners in Bandar Abbas Prison

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Executions, News
Bandar Abbas prison

On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, five prisoners, including three Afghan nationals, were executed in Bandar Abbas Prison on charges related to drug offenses.

According to Haal Vsh, one of the prisoners was identified as Hedayat Ghasemi, who had been arrested and sentenced five years ago. The Iran Human Rights Organization identified another prisoner as Shahrokh Sabahpour, a Bandar Abbas resident who had been imprisoned for approximately seven years on drug-related charges.

One of the Afghan nationals was identified as Ramzi Beig-Sawar, 25 years old. The identities of the other two Afghan prisoners remain unknown.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially confirmed by prison authorities or related entities.

According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of these executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Female Dentist Arrested by Security Forces Following Assault

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa, HRANA, Tehran

Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa, a dentist residing in Tehran, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa was arrested at her private residence on Wednesday, December 25. Reports indicate that her arrest involved physical assault.

A knowledgeable source confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that Ms. Parsa had previously been detained over issues related to hijab enforcement and writing posts about boycotting Iran’s presidential elections. She was released after signing a pledge.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

HRANA documented 1,505 cases of violations against freedom of thought and expression in Iran during 2024, with 1,591 individuals arrested.

Two Brothers Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad

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News, Other
Khaled Bakri, Mahabad, Mohammad Bakri, Sardasht

Khaled Bakri and Mohammad Bakri, residents of Mahabad, were arrested by security forces in this city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Kolbar News, the two citizens have been identified as Khaled Bakri, 46, and his brother Mohammad Bakri, 43.

Reports indicate that Mohammad Bakri was arrested on the evening of Monday, December 30, 2024, in Mahabad, while Khaled Bakri was detained on Sunday, December 29, on the road between Mahabad and Sardasht.

It is worth noting that several other individuals have been arrested in Mahabad and neighboring cities in recent days.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for these arrests, the detainees’ whereabouts, or the charges against them.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Mahabad, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations.

Prisoner Executed in Yasuj Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Yasuj Prison

Today, January 1, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Yasuj Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the hanged individual has been identified as Pezhman Masoudi Koushk, approximately 25 years old.
 

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

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

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Three Citizens, Including a Teenager, Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad and Oshnavieh

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News
Mahabad, Oshnavieh

In recent days, security forces arrested three individuals, named Faiq Ghaderzadeh, Rasoul Pourkhazri and Hemin Shah-Mohammadi, a teenager, in Mahabad and Oshnavieh.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, security forces detained Faiq Ghaderzadeh, a 22-year-old resident of Mahabad, at his workplace without presenting a warrant. He was then transferred to a security detention facility in Urmia.

Kurdpa also reported that security forces arrested two other citizens: Rasoul Pourkhazri, a resident of Sufian village in Oshnavieh, and Hemin Shah-Mohammadi, a 17-year-old from Amirabad, Oshnavieh. Security forces stormed Pourkhazri’s home early Sunday morning and detained him without presenting a warrant, using violent measures. He was taken to an undisclosed location. Shah-Mohammadi was similarly detained on Friday, December 27, without a warrant and transferred to an unknown location.

No information has been released about the reasons for these arrests or the charges against these individuals.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Oshnavieh and Mahabad, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations. Notably, at least 34 individuals under the age of 18 were detained by security forces during the same period.

Report of an Execution in Aligudarz Prison

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Executions, News
Aligudarz, Lorestan

At dawn on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges of murder was carried out in Aligudarz Prison, Lorestan province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed individual has been identified as Mohammad Javad Gudarzi.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or related institutions.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 777 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 207 individuals to death and the execution of 883 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 772 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Fariborz Sebghatollahi’s Detention Exceeds Five Months Without Trial

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News, Prisoners
Fariborz Sebghatollahi, Lakan prison, Rasht

Fariborz Sebghatollahi, a political defendant from Astara, remains held in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Mr. Sebghatollahi has been in detention for over five months without trial or judicial resolution.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA, “It has been over 165 days since Mr. Sebghatollahi’s arrest. He was charged in the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office with alleged membership in an opposition group. However, his case remains in limbo, and no court session has been held to address his charges.”

Sebghatollahi was arrested on July 17, 2024, by Astara Intelligence Ministry agents. He was initially detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Astara for two days before being transferred to the Ministry’s detention center in Rasht. After interrogation, he was moved to Lakan Prison.

Previously, a source informed HRANA: “Sebghatollahi was repeatedly subjected to interrogations, psychological torture, threats against his family, and humiliation while in detention at the Ministry of Intelligence facility in Rasht. During his arrest, his daughter, daughter-in-law, ex-wife, and several friends were also detained but later released.”

Sebghatollahi, approximately 50 years old, resides in Astara.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA recorded significant violations of detainees’ rights, including 81 cases of failure to process lawsuits, 305 instances of prolonged legal uncertainty, and 921 cases of indefinite detention.

Four Prisoners Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

Yesterday, December 30, four prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to Iran Human Rights Organization and Haal Vsh, the prisoners have been identified as Ahmad Barahooie (Brahui) Chenal, Kourosh Narooie, Ayat Pourmansouri, 32, from Dezful, and Babak Shoghi, 35.

All four were executed on charges related to drug offenses.

At the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or other relevant institutions.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publications of Human Rights Activists for 2024 highlight a troubling trend: executions for drug-related offenses accounted for approximately 52% of all executions in Iran. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Eight Death-Row Prisoners on the Verge of Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, زندان قزل حصار

Eight prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj, have been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the execution of their sentences.

This development brings the total number of prisoners transferred to solitary confinement for execution to eight. Yesterday, HRANA reported the transfer of three of these individuals to solitary confinement.

HRANA is currently investigating further details about this situation, including the identities of the prisoners involved.

According to data compiled by the Department of Statistics and Publications of Human Rights Activists, in 2024, approximately 7 people per 100,000 were executed in Alborz Province. Ghezel Hesar Prison in this province recorded the highest number of executions, with a total of 138.