Saleh Nikbakht has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and faces restrictions on his social media activities.
Presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, the Tehran Revolutionary Court delivered this verdict to Nikbakht for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, he has been prohibited from engaging in social media activities for a duration of two years.
According to sources cited by HRANA, Nikbakht’s refusal to accept the forensic report concerning the cause of Mahsa Amini’s death was cited as evidence supporting this charge. Nikbakht, who served as Amini’s lawyer, found himself embroiled in this legal case following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Intelligence, primarily due to his interviews with media outlets outside Iran.
On March 11, 2023, Nikbakht was indicted at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.
Notably, Nikbakht has represented Mahsa Amini and several political prisoners, including Jafar Panahi, Eskandar Lotfi, and Masoud Nikkhah, in legal matters.
In a recent development, on October 14, 2023, Eghbal Majidi was apprehended by security forces in Sanandaj. According to reports from Kurdpa, he was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.
Majidi’s arrest took place at his workplace, and it is worth noting that the arresting agents did not present an arrest warrant. They also conducted searches at both his workplace and residence.
At this time, the exact grounds for his arrest, the specific allegations against him, and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Former political prisoner Leila Hosseinzadeh is confronted with a new legal case brought forth by the prosecutor’s offices of Evin Courthouse.
Hosseinzadeh stands accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”
On August 20, 2022, security forces arrested Hosseinzadeh in front of her residence in Tehran and subsequently detained her in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. During the arrest, she was beaten by the agents. She was later relocated to a detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No. 100, and subsequently to Adelabad Prison.
On January 4, 2023, Hosseinzadeh was once again transferred to Evin Prison. After five days, she was granted release on bail.
Leila Hosseinzadeh, a student activist from the University of Tehran, has a documented history of previous arrests and convictions tied to her activism.
As the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council comes to a close, HRA reflects on a month of United Nations advocacy and why sustained international attention on the situation of human rights in Iran is imperative in light of the widespread, ongoing abuse and the disreputable denial by the State.
The 54th Session of the Human Rights Council commenced with a statement by Volker Türk, who acknowledged the passing of Zhina Mahsa Amini and expressed concern over the troubling human rights violations that have unfolded in the past year. This included the introduction of the new Hijab Bill, strict legal penalties, an increased use of the death penalty, and the continued repression at the hands of the morality police.
HRA’s Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability took part in a side event titled “A Year of the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement,” hosted by IHRDC. During this event, she explored the wide-ranging implications of Iran’s new Hijab and Chastity Bill, with particular emphasis on the grave concerns surrounding the expanded authority granted to the Basij forces throughout the country.
Simultaneously, during the 54th session, the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) marked the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s passing by expressing concerns about the Iranian government’s intensified repression and reprisals against its citizens. Additionally, the FFM raised alarm regarding new laws, especially those severely curbing the rights of women and girls. Furthermore, HRA continued its engagement with the FFM and the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, participating in meetings to support their mandates concerning Iran. Furthermore, HRA actively engaged in meetings with member states during this period continually briefing on emerging issue areas.
139th Session of the Human Rights Committee
In an effort to shed light on significant human rights abuses, HRA, in collaboration with its partners, submitted a formal written update to the Human Rights Committee in early October in preparation for its review of Iran. This update specifically addressed the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, media freedom and the safety of journalists, freedom of expression online, the right to privacy, the situation of human rights lawyers and defenders, and access to information. HRA also engaged in informal dialogues with committee experts regarding human rights in Iran, preparing for the interactive dialogue.
During the session, Thompson emphasized the ongoing human rights violations in Iran, particularly with regard to the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Furthermore, she informed the Committee about the unjust treatment of journalists, charged with national security offenses after trials lacking any semblance of due process, all for simply exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression. Thompson stated, “Although repression against the freedom of information was already widespread, with journalists facing arrests, interrogations, imprisonments, surveillance, harassment, and threats, it has escalated since the outbreak of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protests triggered by the death in detention of Zhina Mahsa Amini in September 2022.”
*Zohreh Elahian, designated by the European Union for her involvement in serious human rights violations, intervenes as part of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s official delegation. She appears sitting next to the Chair of the Human Rights Committee. October 9, 2023.
During the same session, the Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the human rights situation in Iran, shedding light on grave violations, including instances of torture, the excessive use of force in response to recent protests, and the status of LGBTI rights. Regrettably, the delegation from the Islamic Republic chose not to provide substantive responses and even resorted to intimidation tactics when questioned about an individual listed on the EU sanctions list. See the Spreading Justice profileof Zohreh Elahian. Elahian’s position within the delegation and travel to Switzerland as part of Iran’s delegation was questioned by Ms. Marcia Kran as part of the formal dialogue between the Committee and the delegation. Elahian’s travel was also condemned by the Chair of the Delegation for a relation with Iran within the European Parliament, Cornelia Ernst.
Following the session, the Human Rights Committee made a poignant observation, stating, “Most of the substantive questions remain unanswered.” Despite persistent inquiries regarding LGBT rights, torture, and the excessive use of force in recent protests, the Committee received no satisfactory responses.
Reflections
As the session closes HRA remains steadfast in its commitment to amplifying the voices of Iranians on the international stage. Sustained international dialogue and attention are crucial for Iran, as it ensures that the ongoing struggles of the Iranian people are not only heard but also acted upon by the global community. By maintaining a consistent focus on Iran, the international community can play a vital role in holding the Iranian government accountable for violations of human rights.
HRA remains committed to working alongside our partners in civil society, the Special Rapporteur, the Independent and International Fact-Finding Mission, and State and multinational institutions to support justice and accountability for serious human rights violations and possible crimes under international law.
Finally, HRA urges the United Nations to cease allowing known human rights abusers to travel to and participate in high-level dialogues, and to uphold its fundamental principles of promoting peace, security, and human rights. Allowing individuals with a documented history of human rights violations to enter UN premises undermines State parties’ efforts and sends a conflicting message concerning the validity of the sanctions.
For media inquiries please contact, Skylar Thompson at [email protected]
In separate incidents, two inmates convicted of murder were executed in Zanjan and Ardabil Prisons on October 14 and 15, respectively.
According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, on Sunday, October 14, a 39-year-old cab driver named Ali Asghar Cheraghi Far was executed. He had been convicted of the murder of one of his passengers following a dispute that occurred three years ago. As of the time of this report, there have been no official statements or coverage of this execution by domestic media outlets within the country.
On October 15, another inmate, who was convicted of murder, was executed in Ardabil prison, as reported by Tasnim, a news agency affiliated with security institutions.
As per a deputy prosecutor in Ardabil province, on October 28, 2021, this particular inmate, whose identity was not disclosed, fatally stabbed his father-in-law during a family dispute.
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.
Reza Rasaei, one of the participants in the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in connection with a legal case related to the “killing of the head of the IRGC’s intelligence of Sahneh County.”
According to Kurdpa, Rasaei has been found guilty of involvement in the death of Nader Beirami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County. Additional charges against Rasaei include causing non-lethal injuries, using a knife, and disrupting public order.
Critically, the court’s decision appears to have relied on a confession extracted under duress during Rasaei’s detention.
Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. After completing the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.
Several other protesters involved in a demonstration on November 18, 2022, are also facing charges related to their alleged role in the death of the IRGC’s intelligence officer. During this protest, several protestors were also killed by police and security forces.
Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, aged 34, is known as a Yarsan follower and a resident of Sahneh County.
The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of one year in prison and 74 lashes to Mohammad Navid Badami, a student at Shahid Beheshti University, with seven months of the prison term being suspended.
Presiding over the court, Judge Ali Mazloum found Badami guilty of “disturbing public order.”
On May 20, 2023, Badami was apprehended by security forces during a student gathering protesting the death sentences issued against three defendants in a case known as “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House).” He was subsequently released on bail on June 12, 2023.
It is crucial to note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.
The Court of Appeal in Mazandaran Province has confirmed the initial six-year prison sentence and travel ban imposed on Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey, a resident of Sari.
Initially, Moradi Kia-pay was sentencedto five years for “inciting actions against national security through activities on social media” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.”
Among the items seized were technical and telecommunications equipment, as well as SIM cards. Additionally, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without restrictions.
On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. Subsequently, he was detained in a facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.
Moradi Kia-Pey had a prior encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted amnesty through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after approximately 30 days of confinement.
On Thursday, October 12, an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht.
The individual who met this unfortunate end has been identified as Hossein Mohammadi, a 52-year-old resident of Bukan County.
Hossein Mohammadi had been incarcerated for 15 years prior to his execution.
At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.
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.
The Court of Appeal for East Azerbaijan Province has upheld a 91-day prison sentence for Azerbaijani-Turk activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi.
Earlier this year, in July, Mola-Abbasi was initially handed this verdict on charges of “disseminating false information to disrupt public order.”
Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s arrest occurred at his residence in Ahar on October 9, 2022, when he was apprehended by security forces. Following approximately one month of incarceration in Tabriz Prison, he was released on bail, which amounted to 1.2 billion tomans. The court session that ultimately led to his sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.
It is noteworthy that Saleh Mola-Abbasi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activist endeavors.
