Prisoner Executed in Miandoab Prison

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Miandoab Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoner has been identified as Sina Shams-Elahi, a resident of a village in Leylan County, East Azerbaijan Province.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Shams-Elahi was arrested a year ago on charges of murdering a man and was sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.”

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially 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.

Teacher Hamid Azizi Arrested in Kamyaran

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Hamid Azizi, a rural school teacher in Kamyaran, was arrested after being summoned to the security office of the Kamyaran Department of Education and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Kurdpa’s report states that Mr. Azizi was arrested after being summoned to the security office of the Department of Education in Kamyaran and taken to an unknown location. Despite his family’s efforts, they have been unable to obtain any information about his fate, and four days after his detention, his whereabouts remain unknown.

The reasons for his arrest and the charges against him have not yet been disclosed.

Hamid Azizi is a PhD graduate in Communications and Media Studies from Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran and a teacher in two villages in Kamyaran County.

Mashallah Karami, Father of Executed Protester, Faces Prison and Multiple Charges

Mashallah Karami, the father of executed protester Mohammad Mehdi Karami, is serving his sentence in the Central Prison of Karaj. His legal cases are being reviewed in two separate proceedings: his Revolutionary Court case is under appeal at the Supreme Court, while his Criminal Court case awaits a decision from the Court of Appeals.

A source familiar with his situation told HRANA: “Recently, Mashallah was sent to a specialized clinic for treatment due to blurred vision in one of his eyes. His Revolutionary Court case, in which he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court. Additionally, his Criminal Court case, in which he was sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans, and asset confiscation, is pending the final verdict from the Court of Appeals.”

Karami, the father of Mohammad Mehdi (Koumar) Karami, an executed protester, was arrested on August 22, 2023, by security forces. During his arrest, authorities confiscated all electronic devices and froze the family’s bank accounts.
On October 28, 2023, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to the Central Prison of Karaj. After three months in quarantine, he was moved to Ward 15 of the prison.

Initially, on May 21, 2024, the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Karami to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” However, in September, the Alborz Province Court of Appeals reduced these sentences to three years and seven months for the first charge and eight months for the second.

In a separate case, in August 2024, the Criminal Court Branch 102 in Nazarabad convicted Karami of “money laundering and acquiring illicit wealth,” sentencing him to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans, and confiscation of his assets.

Karami’s attorney, Ali Sharifzadeh, previously stated that the security-related charges against his client did not align with his actions. He explained: “Mr. Karami only distributed free meals, funded through public donations. This information was presented to the court but was not properly considered. Additionally, my client’s assets have no connection to the security charges leveled against him.”

In September, 2024, five citizens were fined by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals for providing financial assistance to Mashallah Karami. These individuals were previously convicted by the Karaj Revolutionary Court of “aiding in assembly and collusion against national security” through financial support to Karami, with each sentenced to two years in prison and fined 24 million tomans.

It is noteworthy that on January 7, 2023, Mohammad Mehdi Karami, one of the detainees from the nationwide protests, was executed in connection with the case known as the “murder of Basij member Ruhollah Ajamian.”

Political Detainee Nayereh Behnoud Held Over 70 Days Without Trial in Evin Prison

Nayereh Behnoud, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for over 70 days without resolution.

A source familiar with her case told HRANA: “Ms. Behnoud has been in detention for over 70 days. She faces charges such as ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘assembly and collusion against national security through membership in opposition groups.’ However, her case remains in limbo, and no court hearing has been held to address the charges against her.”
Behnoud was arrested by security forces in Tehran in late September 2024.

Following approximately one month of interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Behnoud was transferred to the women’s ward of the prison on October 21, 2024.

Houman Almasi: Over 600 Days of Uncertainty in Sheiban Prison Without Trial

Houman Almasi, a political detainee, has been held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 600 days without trial or legal resolution, according to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran.

Despite his prolonged detention, authorities have taken no action to address his case or convene a court hearing.

On October 19, 2024, Mr. Almasi began a hunger strike to protest his indefinite legal limbo. Following this, he was transferred to solitary confinement within Sheiban Prison. He ended his hunger strike after receiving assurances from prison officials, after which he was returned to the general ward.

A source close to Mr. Almasi previously informed HRANA that the detainee, who suffers from kidney disease, has been denied specialized medical care and access to treatment outside the prison.

Houman Almasi was initially arrested in March-April 2023 by security forces and detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz. After two months of interrogation, he was transferred to Sheiban Prison, where he remains in custody.

As of this report, the charges against Mr. Almasi remain undisclosed.

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

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

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

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

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

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.