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Death Sentence and Lengthy Imprisonment for Four Baneh Residents

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Baset Karimi, Kurdistan Province, Mohammad Feyzi, Mohammad Karimi, Sanandaj, Yousef Ahmadi

Yousef Ahmadi has been sentenced to death by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court for his involvement in armed rebellion (Baghi). In the same legal case, other defendants, Mohammad Karimi, Baset Karimi, and Mohammad Feyzi, have received prison sentences of 25, 20, and 20 years, respectively.

According to reports from Kurdpa, Judge Saeedi presided over the proceedings against these residents of Baneh. During the trial, evidence of their alleged collaboration with a political opposition party in Kurdistan was presented as the basis for the charges, as shared by a Kurdpa staff member with HRANA.

These individuals were initially apprehended by security forces in April 2020 and subsequently transferred to Sanandaj prison after the conclusion of the interrogation process at a security detention facility. Despite these developments, specific details pertaining to their case and the actions underlying the charges remain undisclosed.

Elham Farshad Recevies Three Years and Eight Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Elham Farshad, Nowshahr

The Nowshahr Criminal Court has issued a three-year, eight-month prison sentence to Elham Farshad. The exact charges against her remain undisclosed.

Elham Farshad, 29 years old, was arrested at her residence on July 13, 2022, by security forces. Subsequently, she was released on bail, amounting to 500 million Tomans (approximately 10,000 dollars).

Her arrest is connected to a confrontation with a cleric who had been harassing her due to what he deemed an improper dress code. This incident gained significant attention within Persian communities on social media.

Vahid Karimi Sentenced to Four Years, One Month, and 17 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Tehran Court of Appeals, Vahid Karimi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict sentencing Vahid Karimi to four years, one month, and 17 days in prison. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to the judgment delivered on September 7, Karimi has been handed a three-year, six-month, and one-day sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year, six-month, and one-day prison term will be executed.

Karimi’s arrest occurred on November 29, 2022, when he was apprehended by the IRGC Intelligence unit at his father’s residence in Qazvin, after which he was transferred to Tehran.

Initially, Karimi had been released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a pardon and commutation directive, with the suspension of prosecution order by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, it has come to light that, following a complaint by the prosecutor, Karimi’s pardon was revoked, and the case was referred to the Court of Appeals.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Five Individuals Arrested by Security Forces in Saravan

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News, Other
Ghasem Mazarzahi, Issa Mazarzahi, Jasem Mazarzahi, Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Zaker Mazarzahi

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, security forces apprehended five individuals in Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, and transported them to an undisclosed location, as reported by the Baloch Activists Campaign.

These individuals have been identified as Issa Mazarzahi, Jasem Mazarzahi, Ghasem Mazarzahi, Zaker Mazarzahi, and another individual with the last name Mazarzahi (first name unknown).

According to the report, Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested them separately at their residences. They are reportedly facing allegations of “collaboration with anti-regime groups.”

The precise location of their detention remains undisclosed at this time.

Former Political Prisoner Reza Nowruzi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, great tehran penitentiary, Reza Nowruzi, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On September 7, 2023, Reza Nowruzi, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Breaking this development, his attorney, Erfan Karam Veisi, confirmed: “Nowruzi was arrested at his residence by security forces.”

The identity of the security institution responsible for Nowruzi’s arrest, as well as details about his current whereabouts and the charges against him, remain unknown at this time.

Previously, Nowruzi had been arrested by security forces in Tehran in April-May 2021. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years in prison, with five years of that sentence being enforceable. This verdict was upheld upon appeal.

On May 27, 2023, Nowruzi was granted early release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary. However, during his incarceration, in August 2022, he was charged with “disturbing prison order,” resulting in a fine and a sentence of 74 lashes.

In June 2023, he was summoned to Evin Courthouse to face further penalties related to his legal case.

Nowruzi, approximately 33 years of age and hailing from Sarab, is a father of two children.

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Parsa Ghobadi Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Kermanshah, Parsa Ghobadi

Parsa Ghobadi, a resident of Kermanshah, has been apprehended by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location, as reported by Kurdpa. Ghobadi had previously been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadi reportedly was arrested last Monday, September 4, at his father’s workplace in Kermanshah.

Sources indicate that Ghobadi is in need of medical attention and has been denied access to his prescribed medication since his arrest. Despite his family’s inquiries, there has been no response from judicial and security authorities. As of now, the reasons behind his arrest and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.

During the nationwide protests in 2022, Ghobadi, who is about 19 years old, suffered a gunshot wound to his eye inflicted by regime forces.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Report on the Current Status of Thirteen Political Prisoners Detained in Qezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Afshin Baymani, Ahmadreza Haeri, Hamza Savari Laftah, Jafar Ebrahimi, Kamyar Fakour, Lughman Aminpour, Masoud-Reza Ebrahimi Nejad, Motaleb Ahmadian, Qezel Hesar Prison, Reza Salmanzadeh, Saeed Masouri, Saman Seydi, Sepehr Imam Jomeh, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

Thirteen political prisoners have embarked on a hunger strike to protest their transfer from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar on September 3, as well as the dire conditions they now endure in their new confinement.

A source familiar with the situation, closely connected to one of these detainees’ families, informed HRANA, “This group of prisoners initiated their hunger strike on Monday, September 4, in protest of their relocation to a heavily secured and inadequately equipped Unit 3.”

Another relative of these detainees added, “They are confined to a cramped 12-square-meter cell within the Quarantine Ward, typically reserved for inmates on death row prior to execution. They lack basic necessities such as blankets, access to hot water, and the ability to make phone calls.”

As per this source, Unit 3 is currently overcrowded, housing around 1700 inmates, far exceeding its maximum capacity of 1000 inmates. The inmates’ access to fresh air is constrained by a small prison yard covered by a roof with fencing. During their transfer, some of these prisoners were forced to leave behind essential belongings, including their medications.
Some of these prisoners forcibly leave behind some of their belongings during the transfer including medicines.

The prisoners include:

  • Saeed Masouri: Arrested on January 8, 2001, on charges related to alleged membership in The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in Dezful County. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.
  • Afshin Baymani: Arrested on September 5, 2000. He was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through collaboration with the MEK.” Later, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
  • Hamza Savari Laftah: Arrested on September 2, 2005, at the age of 16. The Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz sentenced him to death on charges of “spreading corruption on Earth, enmity against God, and acting against national security.” Ultimately, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
  • Motaleb Ahmadian: Arrested on October 5, 2010, and subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through membership in a political opposition party.”
  • Saman Seydi (Yasin): Arrested on October 2, 2022, during nationwide protests in Tehran. Initially sentenced to death for “enmity against God, and assembly and collusion against national security” by the Public and Revolutionary Court in Tehran. However, his sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred back to the lower court for further review.
  • Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb: Arrested in March 2023 and incarcerated in Evin Prison. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison, with five years enforceable, along with additional penalties.
  • Ahmadreza Haeri: Arrested by security forces on June 27, 2022, and subsequently released. He was later sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Recently, due to a new case filed against him during his imprisonment, he received an additional three months and one day in prison by the Criminal Court in Tehran.
  • Kamyar Fakour: Arrested on November 6, 2022, during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight months in prison, in addition to reactivating his prior eight-month suspended jail term.
  • Reza Salmanzadeh: Arrested by security forces at his residence on May 12, 2022. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
  • Jafar Ebrahimi: A dedicated teacher union activist, arrested on April 30, 2022, and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In late October 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a four-year sentence on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one-year term for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, Ebrahimi received a two-year ban on leaving the country and from participating in political and civil organizations. His sentence, which included four years of enforceable imprisonment, was upheld upon appeal.
  • Lughman Aminpour, Sepehr Imam Jomeh, and Masoud-Reza Ebrahimi Nejad were previously sentenced to imprisonment for political charges.

Mostafa Mohebi Commences His Three-Year Sentence in Rudsar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan province, HRANA, Langarud, Mahsa Amini, Mostafa Mohebi, Rudsar

Mostafa Mohebi (also spelled as Mohebbi) has begun serving his three-year prison term in Rudsar Prison. His arrest dates back to the nationwide protests in 2022, also known as the Mahsa Amini Protests.

According to a source close to his family who spoke with HRANA, Mohebi was convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “acting against national security,” leading to a three-year sentence. On August 28, 2023, he commenced his sentence in Rudsar Prison.

Mohebi was apprehended by security forces in January 2023 and subsequently incarcerated in Lakan Prison, Rasht, on February 3.

A 35-year-old computer engineer and Langarud resident in Gilan Province, Mohebi’s case continues to garner attention in the ongoing discourse on civil rights and freedom of expression in Iran.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Execution of Woman in Vakilabad Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mahboobeh Roshandel, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

On September 4, 2023, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad witnessed the execution of a female inmate who had been convicted of murder.

Identified by HRANA as Mahboobeh Roshandel, she was just 27 years old and a mother to a six-year-old child.

Roshandel was found guilty of killing her mother-in-law.

A source close to Roshandel’s family shared with HRANA that during her years of incarceration, her own family did not allow her to see her child, resulting in severe depression.
The source also disclosed, “Recently, the victim’s family had initially expressed their intention to pardon Roshandel, but regrettably, they later reconsidered and changed their decision.”

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Taha Rasoulian Sentenced to Seven Years, Three Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Taha Rasoulian

In a recent verdict issued by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, Taha Rasoulian, a resident of Piranshahr, has been handed a sentence of seven years and three months, according to a report from Kurdpa.

This sentence encompasses three years for “membership in a political opposition party,” three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” culminating in a total imprisonment period of seven years and three months.

Taha Rasoulian’s legal ordeal commenced with his arrest in Piranshahr on January 18, 2023, followed by his release on February 21, 2023.

In a separate legal case, in May 2023, Rasoulian faced a sentence from the Piranshahr Criminal Court, resulting in a fine and a punishment of 40 lashes, stemming from allegations of “disrupting public order and safety.”