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Actor Mohammad Sadeghi Receives Five-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amol, Mohammad Sadeghi, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a five-year prison sentence to Mohammad Sadeghi, a theater and television actor. This verdict has been affirmed upon appeal.

In a video message, Sadeghi conveyed to the public that he was found guilty of charges related to “inciting people to violence and engage in activities to disrupt national security.” The ruling has been upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal.

The incident unfolded on July 16, 2023, when Sadeghi, a native of Amol, was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence at his residence in Tehran. After spending over a month in custody, he was released on bail on August 20.

Following his arrest, Sadeghi utilized social media to share details about the raid conducted by security forces at his residence. The Information Center of the Greater Tehran Police Command issued a statement connecting his detention to allegations of inciting violence and defaming the “guardians of order and security in society” based on a video clip published by Sadeghi.

 

Execution of Three Inmates in Urmia for Drug-Related Crimes

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News
Ali Shahin-Nejad, Citizen executed, Janali Nadimi Dargahi, Solat (Hamid) Tosan, Urmia prison

Urmia Prison officials executed three inmates on December 8, 2023, following their convictions for drug offenses.

The individuals identified by HRANA are Ali Shahin-Nejad, Solat (Hamid) Tosan, and Janali Nadimi Dargahi.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Oshnavieh Residents Sentenced to Prison for Alleged Political Opposition Ties

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News
Abdolkarim Kakul, Aram Shaaban, Fakhreddin Pudat, Oshnavieh, Soleiman Sharvirani

Four individuals from Oshnavieh, namely Soleiman Sharvirani, Aram Shaaban, Abdolkarim Kakul, and Fakhreddin Pudat, have received a collective sentence of six years and six months from the Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

Presiding Judge Mehdi Rezaie delivered the verdict, assigning one year to Sharvirani, three years and three months to Shaaban, one year to Kakul, and one year and three months to Pudat. The charges leading to these sentences include “membership and collaboration with one of the political opposition parties.”

The arrests of these individuals took place on July 9, 2023, in Oshnavieh, after which they were released on bail following the completion of the interrogation process by security forces.

Kaveh Amiri’s Eight-Month Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Kaveh Amiri, Shahriar

The Tehran Court of Appeal has affirmed an eight-month sentence for Kaveh Amiri, a resident of Shahriar.

Amiri was found guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and the time served during his detention will be deducted from this prison term.
His arrest took place on September 10 of this year, following summons and interrogation by the Security Police of Shahriar County. Within one day, he was transferred to Evin Prison and subsequently released on bail on September 13.

Aged 39, Amiri is a judo coach and resident of Shahriar. The upheld sentence raises questions about the nature of the charges and the implications for freedom of expression.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Hadi Gholizadeh Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
Hadi Gholizadeh, Tabriz

On December 7, security forces apprehended Azerbaijani-Turk activist Hadi Gholizadeh in Tabriz, moving him to an undisclosed location.

Gholizadeh has been reportedly arrested in a cemetery in Tabriz. The reason for his arrest, his whereabouts, and the charges against him are unknown at this time.
This incident sheds light on the broader issue of the suppression of ethnic activists, raising serious concerns about the protection of civil liberties and human rights in Iran.

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Multiple Executions in Rafsanjan, Sanandaj, and Saqqez

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Executions, News
Amir Alikani, Amir Alikhani, Kamal Elhami, Khaled Roohi, Rafsanjan, Sanandaj, Saqqez, Sirus Heydari

Reports confirm the recent execution of four inmates across Rafsanjan, Sanandaj, and Saqqez.

On December 4, 2023, Iran Human Organization disclosed the execution of Amir Alikhani, found guilty of murder, at Rafsanjan Prison in Kerman Province. Subsequently, on December 6, Kamal Elhami, aged 43, faced execution at Saqqez Prison for a rape conviction dating back five years.

As per Kurdpa, on December 6, 2023, two inmates, Sirus Heydari (60) and Khaled Roohi, were executed at Sanandaj Prison. Heydari had been convicted of murder four years ago, while Roohi faced the same charge 12 years prior.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Eight Protestors Remain in Detention Amid Legal Uncertainty

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Alireza Kafaie, Amir-Mohammad Khosh Eghbal, Arman Aliverdi, Ekbatan, Hossein Nemati, Mehdi Imani, Milad Armoon, Mohammad-Mehdi Hosseini, moharebeh, Navid Najaran, Qezel Hesar Prison, Salavati

Milad Armoon, Alireza Kafaie, Amir-Mohammad Khosh Eghbal, Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Mohammad-Mehdi Hosseini, Hossein Nemati, Mehdi Imani, and Navid Najaran are detained in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison with an uncertain legal status.

The arrest of these individuals during the 2022 nationwide protests links them to a legal case stemming from an incident in Ekbatan town, Tehran, resulting in the death of Basij Militia agent Arman Aliverdi.

According to a source with close ties to one defendant’s family, the Tehran Criminal Court had previously confirmed the release of two detainees on bail. However, Judge Salavati, presiding over Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, rejected their release and asserted control over the entire case. Such discrepancies within Iran’s judicial system contribute to legal insecurity and uncertainty, causing distress for the detainees and their families.

Another source reports that, despite multiple court sessions in October and November of this year, the defendants await a verdict. Earlier, it was revealed that the case had been divided between the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts. The Criminal Court initiated proceedings on October 7, 2023, addressing charges of “assisting in murder, assembly and collusion against national security, and enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

The protests in Ekbatan Town in Tehran in 2022 resulted in the death of Basij Militia agent Arman Aliverdi. Subsequently, in November 2022, police and security forces arrested over 50 young residents of the district, with 14 individuals facing legal action. The indictments detail charges such as “enmity against God” for Azmoon, Hosseini, and Imani, while Kafaie, Khosh Eghbal, Barmarz Pournak, and Nemati face charges of “assisting in murder and disturbing public order.” The charges against Najaran, arrested in Ahvaz, remain unknown.

Foreign National Arrested on Espionage Charges in Qazvin

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News, Other
irgc, Qazvin

The Qazvin governor has officially announced the arrest of a foreign national on charges of “espionage,” as reported by the IRGC-affiliated news agency Tasnim.

The report refrains from disclosing the identity and nationality of the detainee as well as the current location of his detention.

While the prosecution of individuals for espionage is not inherently considered a violation of human rights, concerns arise about the credibility of these allegations. The regime has a history of frequently employing such accusations to suppress political dissidents or for political gains. Ambiguities in legal proceedings and a lack of transparency surrounding these cases further contribute to apprehensions about the fairness of the process.

Ariana Akbari Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ariana Akbari, Armita Garavand, Behesht-e-Zahra, Tehran

On December 6, 2023, security forces apprehended Ariana Akbari, a resident of Tehran, immediately after his participation in the memorial ceremony for Armita Geravand on the 40th day since her passing. Akbari was escorted to an undisclosed location by the arresting agents.

HRANA’s reports confirm that the arrest occurred at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery where the commemoration ceremony had been held.

It is noteworthy that Akbari had previously experienced arrest during the nationwide protests in 2022.

On October 1, 2023, Armita Garavand, a 17-year-old student, sustained a head injury while on her way to school at a metro station in Tehran. She was hospitalized and tragically passed away after 28 days in the hospital. Iranian authorities claim that she suffered a head injury due to a “pressure drop” and falling to the ground. However, some media outlets and human rights groups consider her a victim of harassment and an altercation with a hijab enforcement officer.

Report on Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini’s Condition in Central Prison of Karaj

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini, Abolfazl PourHosseini, Central Prison of Karaj, Erfan-e-Halgheh, HRANA, irgc, Karaj, Qom, ابوالفضل پورحسینی

Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini, a follower of Iranian mysticism known as Erfan-e-Halgheh, has recently been sentenced to three years in prison with an additional two years of suspended imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court. He is currently imprisoned in the Central Prison of Karaj.

A source close to Pour-Hosseini’s family provided HRANA with details about this verdict. Moreover, Pour-Hosseini faces charges of “propaganda against the regime and inciting people to act against national security” in a separate case under review by the Karaj Revolutionary Court.

According to this source, Pour-Hosseini has rejected the charges and declined to sign the charge sheet.

On June 13, 2023, IRGC Intelligence forces in Karaj arrested Pour-Hosseini, detaining him in the Central Prison of the city. According to a statement from one of his friends to HRANA, Pour-Hosseini was distributing a leaflet about Erfan-e-Halgheh at the time of his arrest.

Pour-Hosseini had previously been arrested in 2022 for attending a meeting of this mysticist group in Qom, being released on bond after a period of detention. Aged approximately 47, Pour-Hosseini is the father of one daughter and anticipates becoming a father once again.

Notably, concerns persist about the violation of freedom of religion in Iran, exemplified by cases like Pour-Hosseini’s. This incident adds to ongoing apprehensions regarding the protection of religious rights in the country.