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Crackdown on Dissent Following Kerman Blasts: Dozens Arrested and Prosecuted

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kerman, Mazandaran, Qasem Soleimani, Sadegh Zibakalam, South Khorasan province

In the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Kerman during Qasem Soleimani’s commemoration ceremony, claiming numerous lives and causing injuries, security forces and affiliated individuals on social media have actively sought to identify and apprehend those expressing opinions about the incident. As a result, dozens of individuals have been summoned, arrested, and had their social media pages removed, with an estimated 76 people detained in connection to these events.

According to 32 reports from social media channels associated with Iran’s security institutions, at least 76 arrests have been made, 108 individuals have been summoned to security/judicial institutions, 537 social media pages were taken down, and two businesses in Mazandaran and South Khorasan Province were closed.

In an attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent, these security-affiliated channels have doxed 28 citizens, leading to their subsequent arrests and prosecutions. Furthermore, one security-affiliated channel has released a video featuring the coerced confession of a citizen, although the location and circumstances of the recording remain unclear. In the video, the detainee expresses regret for his opinions, attributing his actions to the influence of social media.

The regime’s approach has sparked concerns about potential violations of citizens’ privacy rights. Additionally, the Tehran prosecutor has announced legal action against Sadegh Zibakalam, an author and political pundit, and seven others for their statements regarding the recent blasts in Kerman. Furthermore, several students have faced disciplinary measures from universities due to their opinions on the incident.

Political Prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh Receives Five Years and Eight Months Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Khaled Pirzadeh, Tehran, خالد پیرزاده

Khaled Pirzadeh, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed a five-year and eight-month sentence by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari ruled that Pirzadeh must serve five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” If the verdict is upheld on appeal, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which dictates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, Pirzadeh will spend five years in prison.

As per HRANA reports, Pirzadeh has been acquitted of charges related to “disseminating false information” and “illegal acquisition of property.”

Khaled Pirzadeh was apprehended by security forces in Ahvaz in September 2023 and subsequently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison under the Ministry of Intelligence. Later, he was moved to Ward 6 within the same prison.

On November 14, 2023, Pirzadeh was hospitalized due to deteriorating health conditions.

It is noteworthy that Pirzadeh has faced previous arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

Eleven Individuals Sentenced to a Total of 95 Years for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali-Asghar Hassani Rad, Arsham Rezaie, Fatemeh Haghparast Sahi:, Iman Afshari, Kazem Alineajd Baralu, Meysam Gholami, Payam Bastani Parizi, Saman Rezaie, Tehran Revolutionary Court, Vahid Ghadirzadeh, Vahid Gol-Sorkh

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued extensive sentences totaling 95 years for 11 defendants on political charges. In addition to imprisonment, the individuals have also been fined and subjected to flogging and other supplementary penalties.

Under the direction of Judge Iman Afshari, the court delivered the following verdicts:

Vahid Gol-Sorkh: Five years for Blasphemy, five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” five years for “inciting people to violence”, totaling 16 years with five years enforceable.

Kazem Alineajd Baralu: Five years for Blasphemy, five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling 11 years with five years enforceable.

Arsham (Mahmood) Rezaie: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” five years for “inciting people to violence”, two years for “illegal acquisition of property,” two years and paying a fine for “dissemination of false information,” totaling 15 years with five years enforceable.

Meysam Gholami: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime, totaling six years with five years enforceable.

Vahid Ghadirzadeh: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime, totaling six years with five years enforceable.

Ali-Asghar Hassani-Rad: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime, and two years for “illegal acquisition of property,” totaling eight years with five years enforceable. Additionally, he has received 11 lashes for “holding drug,” and paying a fine.

Saman Rezaie: Four years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” with four years enforceable.

Fatemeh Haghparast Sahi: eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” paying a fine for “presence in public without Hijab.”

Payam Bastani Parizi: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” ten years for “forming group to act against national security,” with ten years enforceable.

Mohammad-Reza Kamrani-Nejad: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” detention period included. Five years will be enforceable to him.

Hojatollah Rafei: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” detention period included. Five years will be enforceable to him.

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.

Execution of Three Inmates at Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Hamed Khodadad, Karaj, Kiomars Gholami, Mohammad-Hossein Geravand

Karaj, January 7, 2024 – The authorities at Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison recently executed three individuals on death row.

According to HRANA, the inmates subjected to capital punishment were identified as Mohammad-Hossein Geravand, Kiomars Gholami, and Hamed Khodadad. The first two were convicted of offenses related to drugs, while the third was sentenced for murder.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Three Political Defendants Receive Combined 45 Years and Three Months on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahboobeh Rezaie, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi

The Tehran Court of Appeal has revised the sentences for Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, Mahboobeh Rezaie, and Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, collectively reducing their total prison time to 45 years and three months, along with fines.

The verdict rules that Mohammad-Hosseini will serve fourteen years and six months, Rezaie 19 years and 9 months, and Moradi 11 years. They have also been sentenced to pay a fine.

The revised sentences are as follows:

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” property confiscation for “illegal acquisition of property,” and one year for “defying government officers on duty.” Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years and three months are enforceable.

Mahboobeh Rezaie: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” six years and three months for blasphemy, and paying a fine for “removing hijab and showing the act of depravity on the Internet.” Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years and three months are enforceable.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Five years in prison are enforceable.

Originally facing a cumulative sentence of 61 years and 10 months, the individuals have seen a reduction in their overall prison terms.

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini was arrested on May 1, 2023, initially detained at Detention Facility A-1 under the IRGC’s jurisdiction, later moved to Evin Prison, and ultimately relocated to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi was arrested at her Tehran residence on April 24, 2023, and incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Mahboobeh Rezaie was arrested by security forces on May 22, 2023, and detained in Evin Prison after a period.

Noted for their activism, these individuals had previously faced arrests and imprisonment.

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Four Political Prisoners Face Death Sentences in Controversial Verdict

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Hazhir Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum, Pezhman Fatehi, Sumay-ye Beradust, Vafa Azarbar

The Revolutionary Court has recently handed down death sentences to four members of a political opposition party: Mohsen Mazloum, Pezhman (Pejman) Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hazhir (Hajir) Faramarzi.

Joanna Taimasi, Mazloum’s wife, expressed concern, stating, “The verdict was swiftly issued in a brief and opaque trial. The entire due process, from arrest to conviction, was shrouded in uncertainty, raising fears that the execution may follow a similar clandestine path.”

“These four individuals endured torture over the last 18 months, with a notable absence of media coverage and government accountability,” she added.

A family member of one of the accused informed HRANA that “the defendants were denied legal representation throughout the entire process, their rights consistently violated. Nonetheless, their families remain committed to seeking justice by appealing to the Supreme Court.”

The specific charges against these individuals remain undisclosed.

On July 23, 2022, Iran Police Intelligence (FARAJA) arrested them in the Sumay-ye Beradust District of Urmia County.

Security-institution-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, reported the arrest of “a network of Israeli spies,” referring to these individuals. Tasnim also claimed that they possessed operational and communication equipment, as well as explosive materials, and had crossed into the country from the Kurdistan region with the intention of carrying out unprecedented terrorist operations in secure-sensitive locations.

Approximately 80 days after their arrest, Iran’s state TV aired their coerced confessions, accusing them of spying for foreign intelligence and stating that they had been apprehended in sensitive sites in Isfahan.

In response, Komalah (CPI-a Kurdish oppositional political party) issued a statement denying all these allegations and warned about intelligence institutions’ conspiring against detainees who have been accused of being members of the party.

 

Entrepreneur Mohammad-Ali Jannat-Khah Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
JannatKhah, Mohammad-Ali Jannat-Khah, Tarafdari

Entrepreneur Mohammad-Ali (Armin) Jannat-Khah has been detained by security forces in recent days and taken to an undisclosed facility.

As of the current update, details regarding his location and the charges against Jannat-Khah are still undisclosed.

Jannat-Khah is a strategist and the founder of the sports social media platform Tarafdari. We will continue to monitor the situation for further developments.

Nirvana Torbati-Nejad Receives Ten-Month Sentence and Fine for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golestan province, Gorgan, Nirvana Torbati-Nejad

Gorgan’s Criminal Court has recently issued a ten-month prison sentence and a fine to Nirvana Torbati-Nejad on political charges.

The verdict, delivered by Judge Abedi, was communicated to her lawyer, Haji Mashhadi, on January 6.

Torbati-Nejad has been convicted of “membership in anti-regime activities aimed at undermining national security,” resulting in a ten-month prison term. Additionally, she has been fined for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The events leading to her legal troubles trace back to September 10, 2023, when security forces apprehended Torbati-Nejad at her workplace. After spending 25 days in detention, she was released on bond.

Azad Peikarifar Receives Prison Sentence and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azad Peikarifar, Judge Iman Afshari, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Political defendant Azad Peikarifar has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to six years in prison and two years of exile.

Presiding over Branch 26, Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, attributing five years to “assembly and collusion to commit crime” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, Peikarifar was handed a two-year prison sentence.

If the verdict stands upon appeal, as outlined in Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial five-year prison term for the first count will be enforceable.

Peikarifar, arrested by security forces on November 13, 2023, is currently held in Evin Prison.

 

Two Individuals Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Fazeli, Farhad Omidi, Iman Afshari, irgc, Zaman Esmaeili

In a recent verdict, the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down sentences to Alireza Fazeli (Farhad Omidi) and Zaman (Arash) Esmaeili, totaling 12 years and three months, coupled with four years of exile.

Presiding over Branch 26, Judge Iman Afshari ruled for a six-year sentence for Fazeli and a six-year and three-month sentence for Esmaeili. Both individuals have also been sentenced to two years of exile. They have been convicted of political charges including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Esmaeili was apprehended by security forces on September 15, 2023, and later transferred to Evin Prison after initial detention in IRGC’s facility 1-A. On the following day, Fazeli, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces and confined in Evin Prison. Fazeli has a history of arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism.

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.