Arash Ghanbari Kohyani Faces Prolonged 8-Month Detention Over Alleged Blasphemy Charges

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani, aged 31, has been detained for over eight months in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, in a legal limbo.

A source close to Ghanbari’s family informed HRANA that he has been held for more than 234 days in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. The court session to address the charges against him and his sister, Shahnaz, is scheduled for April 2, 2024, to be held by the Isfahan Criminal Court.

According to reports obtained by HRANA, Ghanbari faces restrictions on making phone calls and having family visits.

Ghanbari was arrested on August 1, 2023, following his presence at the Ministry of Intelligence in Shahreza, Isfahan Province. He was subsequently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison.

On September 2, 2023, his legal case for the charge of blasphemy was reviewed by the Supreme Court, which was then passed on to another branch for further review.

He is accused of blasphemy and insulting the Prophet of Islam, despite having already been acquitted of these charges by another branch of the Isfahan Criminal Court, with the case being closed.

His sister, Shahnaz Ghanbari, aged 35, was also arrested in August 2023 and was released on bail from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, on September 27 of last year, after being indicted.

Samku Nasrollahi Detained by Security Forces in Bukan

On March 24, 2024, security forces reportedly detained Samku (Samko) Nasrollahi in Bukan, West Azerbaijan province, and transferred him to an undisclosed facility, according to Krudpa.

The arrest of Nasrollahi, a 35-year-old father of two, allegedly occurred after his participation in a Nowruz ceremony in a village. No arrest warrant was presented by the agents.

Despite inquiries made by Nasrollahi’s family to the Ministry of Intelligence in Bukan, no clear answers have been provided regarding the allegations against him or his current whereabouts.

Davoud Haddadi-Nia and Fardin Chireh-Nejad Sentenced to Prison for Political Charges

The Criminal Court in Likak City, Bahmai County, has issued a three-month prison sentence for both Davoud Haddadi-Nia and Fardin Chireh-Nejad. Haddadi-Nia’s sentence, however, was reduced to two months and nine days after entering a plea of no contest.

A source close to their families, confirming these verdicts to HRANA, revealed that the individuals were convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime on Instagram.”

Haddadi-Nia and Chireh-Nejad were apprehended by security forces at Chireh-Nejad’s workplace on February 17, 2024.

Haddadi-Nia has a history of prior arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism. On September 16, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, he was arrested by security forces and released from Dehdasht prison on October 9, 2023.

Fatal Shooting: Military Fires on Fuel Carriers in Sistan and Baluchestan

On March 21, 2024, a tragic incident unfolded in Mirjaveh County, Sistan and Baluchestan province, as military forces fired upon a fuel-carrying vehicle, leaving one dead and three injured, according to Haal Vsh.

The victim, identified as Hamidollah Brahui (Koohi-Zahi), aged 25, lost his life in the incident, while the identities of the three injured individuals remain undisclosed.

Eyewitnesses report that the military forces initiated gunfire abruptly, without issuing any prior warning.

This distressing event echoes a concerning trend highlighted in HRA’s annual report, which revealed that in 2023 alone, 37 fuel carriers (Sukhtbar) lost their lives in incidents involving military forces.

Ahmad Key-Shamas Endures Prolonged Detention on Political Charges

Ahmad Key-Shamas, a resident of Izeh, remains confined in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz for over eight months, trapped in legal uncertainty.

A source close to Key-Shamas’s family confirmed to HRANA his detention for 247 days. Denied access to a private lawyer, he faces charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “disturbing public order.”

Key-Shamas was apprehended by security forces on July 18, 2023.

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Concerns Mount Over Hamidreza Dorostkar’s Month-long Detention

Hamidreza Dorostkar, 39, has been held in Bahbahan Prison for over a month, his legal status shrouded in uncertainty as he remains deprived of access to legal representation and family visits.

A source close to Dorostkar’s family confirmed his 34-day detention in Behbahan prison, amplifying worries for his family who have been barred from visiting him.

Dorostkar was apprehended by security forces on February 16, 2024, during which he sustained injuries to his feet and teeth due to the use of force by intelligence agents.

In December 2023, Dorostkar was convicted by the Criminal and Revolutionary Courts of Behbahan. He received a six-month sentence for “insulting the Supreme Court” and a one-year-and-three-month sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Notably, he was acquitted of charges related to “inciting people to wage war and cause unrest against national security.”

During the nationwide protests of 2022, Dorostkar had previously been detained for four months. Initially sentenced to four years and 74 lashes on multiple charges, including “disturbing public order by participating in and filming unrests to send them to anti-regime media,” “disseminating false information,” and “promoting violence,” he later received amnesty under “the general pardon and commutation,” resulting in the closure of his legal case.

Mohammad-Taher Hosseinpour Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison on Political Charges

According to a report by Kurdpa, Mohammad-Taher Hosseinpour has been handed a 13-year prison term by the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad.

Judge Doosti, presiding over Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, notified Hosseinpour of his conviction for “collaboration and membership in an anti-regime political party.”

Hosseinpour was apprehended by security forces in Naqadeh on August 23, 2023. Following 40 days of interrogation, he was transferred to Naqadeh Prison. This isn’t his first encounter with arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Baha’i Citizen Shabnam Tebyanian Receives Sentence and Additional Penalties

Shabnam Tebyanian (TebIanian), a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Semnan to six months imprisonment along with supplementary punishments. However, the prison term has been commuted to a fine.

Tebyanian was found guilty of “engaging in educational activities and propagating against Sharia Islam,” resulting in a two-year prohibition from affiliating with civil or political organizations and groups. Additionally, she has been mandated to attend “Cult Therapy” courses organized by the Islamic Development Organization.

The incident stems from Tebyanian’s arrest by security forces on August 21, 2023, in Semnan. During the arrest, her residence was searched, and some of her possessions were confiscated. She was subsequently released on bail in September 2023 pending further legal proceedings.

Shabnam Tebyanian, a mother of two and a Semnan resident, now faces financial penalties instead of imprisonment following the court’s decision.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Milad Rigi Arrested by Security Forces in Khash

On March 19, 2024, Milad Rigi Tanha was apprehended by security forces in Khash and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location, as reported by Haal Vsh.

The 20-year-old resident of Khash was allegedly taken into custody by plainclothes officers without the presentation of any arrest warrant. Currently, the grounds for his arrest and the charges levied against him remain undisclosed.

According to data collected by the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023, Sistan and Baluchestan Province accounted for 5.63% of reported human rights violations, including instances of arbitrary detentions.

Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini Sentenced to Four Years in Prison with Additional Penalties

The Revolutionary Court of Karaj has pronounced a four-year prison sentence on Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini, a member of the mystical group Erfan-e-Halgheh, alongside two years of exile, a fine, a prohibition from leaving the country, and other social restrictions.

This verdict, confirmed by a source close to Pour-Hosseini’s family, stems from charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “inciting people to act against national security.”

Pour-Hosseini was officially informed of this decision on March 17, 2024. Presently incarcerated in Karaj’s Central Prison, he faces further hardship as prison officials have imposed a three-month ban on family visits as a punitive measure.

The ordeal began on June 13, 2023, when Pour-Hosseini was apprehended by the IRGC’s intelligence in Karaj and confined to Ward 15 of the Central Prison of Karaj. Reports from HRANA suggest that his arrest was linked to the distribution of leaflets on behalf of Erfan-e-Halgheh.

In addition to his recent legal battles, Pour-Hosseini had previously been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Karaj to three years of imprisonment and two years of suspended imprisonment.

This is not Pour-Hosseini’s first brush with the authorities; he had been arrested in Qom for his participation in courses organized by the Erfan-e-Halgheh group.

Pour-Hosseini, aged 47 and a father of two daughters, resides in Karaj.

Data collected by the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) points to the involvement of IRGC Intelligence in 392 cases of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests.