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Workers’ Rights Activist Farhad Sheikhi Faces Ongoing Imprisonment Amidst History of Targeted Punishment

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News, Prisoners
Farhad Sheikhi, Hashtgerd, HRANA, Karaj, The Central Prison of Karaj, فرهاد شیخی

Farhad Sheikhi, a labor activist, is currently serving an eight-month prison sentence in the Central Prison of Karaj, following a ruling by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Sheikhi was arrested in late September 2024 after appearing at the Criminal Enforcement Office in Hashtgerd and was transferred to Karaj Central Prison to serve his sentence.

On November 5, a source informed HRANA that Sheikhi was punitively transferred to solitary confinement for five days before being returned to his ward.

Sheikhi’s legal troubles began on May 28, 2023, when security forces arrested him at his home in Hashtgerd. Initially detained in Rajai Shahr Prison, he was later charged at the Hashtgerd Prosecutor’s Office on June 13, 2023. He was released on a bail of 100 million tomans pending trial.

In June 2024, Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asef al-Hosseini, convicted Sheikhi of “propaganda against the regime.” He was sentenced to one year in prison, two years of exile to Divandarreh in Kurdistan Province, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on residing in Alborz and Tehran Provinces following the completion of his exile.

On August 29, 2024, the Court of Appeals reduced his prison sentence to eight months, while the other aspects of his punishment remained unchanged.

Sheikhi, a dedicated workers’ rights advocate, has faced repeated arrests and convictions for his activism. On February 7, 2023, he was released from a prior imprisonment following an amnesty directive.

Sheikhi’s case exemplifies the ongoing challenges faced by labor activists in Iran, who continue to face judicial and extrajudicial pressures for their advocacy.

Serveh Shiri and Peyman Shiri Sentenced to a Combined 14 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Peyman Shiri, Serveh Shiri

Serveh Shiri and Peyman Shiri, siblings and residents of Bukan, have been sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison by Branch 101 of the Second Criminal Court of Bukan.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, the court convicted the siblings on charges of “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups.” Serveh Shiri received an eight-month sentence, while Peyman Shiri was sentenced to six months.

In September 2024, security forces arrested Serveh and Peyman Shiri in Bukan and transferred them to a security detention center in Urmia. After spending some time in custody, they were released on bail pending trial.

Prisoner Executed in Lakan Prison for Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht

At dawn on Saturday, November 16, 2024, a prisoner convicted of drug-related charges was executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the prisoner has been identified as Mehdi Gilani.

Mr. Gilani had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

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

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Prisoner Executed in Khorramabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Khorramabad Prison, Mostafa Molayie

Yesterday, November 17, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Khorramabad Prison.

The prisoner has been identified as Mostafa Molayie by HRANA.

Reports indicate that Mr. Molayie was initially arrested on murder charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

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

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.

Three Prisoners Executed in Birjand Prison for Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
Birjand, Parviz Brahui, Rahim Faghiri

At dawn on November 17, three prisoners convicted of drug-related charges were executed in Birjand Prison.

One of the executed individuals has been identified as Parviz Brahui (Barahooie), a resident of Zahedan, according to the Haal Vsh. Kurdpa has identified another as Rahim Faghiri, 34 years old, father of three children.

The three prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement yesterday in preparation for the executions. Ultimately, the executions were carried out without allowing the prisoners a final visit with their families.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant agencies.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

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Khashayar Sefidi Transferred to Evin Prison to Serve Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Evin Prison, Khashayar Sefidi, Toomaj Salehi, خشایار سفیدی

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Khashayar Sefidi, an expelled graduate student from Tehran University of Art, was transferred to Evin Prison to serve a one-year prison sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Sefidi, 32 years old, was detained after reporting to the Sentences Enforcement Branch of the Shahre Qods Prosecutor’s Office.

The Revolutionary Court had sentenced Mr. Sefidi to one year in prison on July 2, 2024, on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic.” This conviction stemmed from a three-day sit-in protest he staged in solidarity with imprisoned artist Toomaj Salehi at the House of Music.

Earlier this year, Mr. Sefidi was expelled from Tehran University of Art, where he had been pursuing a master’s degree in music. Prior to his expulsion, the university’s disciplinary committee had suspended him for one term.

Toomaj Aryankia Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Christian Azadegan Party, Karaj, Toomaj Aryankia, Toumaj Aryankia

Toomaj Aryankia, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and a 2-year ban on social activities by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj.

According to HRANA, citing Mohabat News, Mr. Aryankia was convicted by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj, presided over by Judge Mostafa Narimani. He was charged with “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” “collaboration with hostile governments,” and “membership in anti-regime groups.”

The report states that Aryankia’s request for retrial was rejected by the judge, prompting him to appeal the verdict. He is currently awaiting the appellate court’s decision.

The Christian convert was arrested on October 24, 2022, after his home was searched by security forces, who confiscated copies of the “Bible” and some personal items. He was released shortly after on a bail of 5 billion tomans.

Toomaj Aryankia, a member of the “Christian Azadegan Party (AMA)” and the “Pan-Iranist” group, has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his activities.

Jebreil Pakrooh Sentenced to Six Months for Spreading Falsehoods

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Pakrooh, HRANA, Jebreil Pakrooh, Tabriz, جبرئیل پاک روح

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, has been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Criminal Court in Tabriz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Pakrooh was sentenced in absentia by Branch 109 of the Second Criminal Court of Tabriz. The charges stem from “spreading falsehoods on the Internet,” for which he received a six-month prison sentence. Additionally, the court ordered him to “publishing a statement retracting his false information and issuing a formal apology through an official news outlet.”

The case against Mr. Pakrooh was initiated following a complaint filed by Ali Abbaszadeh, an official in The Law Enforcement Command of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police.

A source close to Mr. Pakrooh’s family told HRANA: “In 2021, Mr. Pakrooh was arrested over a financial case. During his detention, he was beaten by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department. He later experienced severe dizziness, prompting medical examinations that revealed he had suffered internal bleeding in his head due to blows inflicted during his detention. He underwent urgent surgery to remove the clotted blood, but the complications persist. He has now lost the ability to walk and suffers from blurred vision and motor issues in his hands.”

The source added: “After being beaten by officers at the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Pakrooh filed a complaint against them. Concurrently, he posted online content protesting the officers’ violence. This ultimately led to the complaint by the Legal Affairs Office of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police against him.”

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, was arrested by security forces on Monday, May 13, 2024, and released on bail a day later.

Pakrooh, aged around 59, is the father of Farhad Pakrooh, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. He has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his own and his son’s activities.

 

Pedram Jamali, Political Prisoner, Serving Three-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Pedram Jamali

Pedram Jamali, a political prisoner, is serving his prison sentence in Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to three years in prison by judicial authorities.

Mr. Jamali was convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security” through cooperation with opposition groups. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

On July 10, 2023, Jamali was transferred to Evin Prison to begin serving his sentence.

Pedram Jamali is a resident of Tehran.

22-Year-Old Man Executed in Salmas Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Omid Sheikh Kanlou Milan, Salmas

Omid Sheikh Kanlou Milan, a 22-year-old man previously sentenced to death on charges of forced same-sex relations, was executed in Salmas Prison on Wednesday, November 13. The execution was carried out despite the plaintiff in the case having pardoned him, as the judge insisted on implementing the sentence based on the “public aspect of the crime.”

HRANA’s sources report that Mr. Sheikh Kanlou Milan was arrested about a year ago following a complaint by “A.M.” (identity withheld by HRANA), a teacher-soldier and member of the Basij militia. He was accused of forced same-sex relations and sentenced to death by the Khoy Criminal Court. Despite the plaintiff officially pardoning him in recent weeks, the judge insisted on proceeding with the execution due to the public nature of the offense.

A relative of the executed man told HRANA: “Since the plaintiff had pardoned him, the family hoped the execution would not take place. His mother and other relatives, who had waited outside Salmas Prison since 4 a.m. on Wednesday, were informed at 9 a.m. that the sentence had been carried out.”

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been publicly confirmed by prison officials or relevant authorities.

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.