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Shermin Habibi Taken into Custody by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Fereydoon Mahmoodi, Mahsa Amini, Saqqez, Shermin Habibi

August 22, 2023 – Shermin Habibi has been apprehended by security forces and transported to an undisclosed destination. She is the spouse of Fereydoon Mahmoodi, one of the individuals killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

The motives behind her arrest and her whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Fereydoon Mahmoodi was shot dead during the protests on September 19, 2022. In a subsequent development in April 2023, the Saqqez & Baneh Military Court officially affirmed the culpability of Special Forces in Mahmoodi’s unfortunate demise. However, the case was ultimately closed, citing the inability to identify the specific shooter as a pretext.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for allegedly 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.

 

Former Political Prisoners Forough Taghipour & Marzieh Farsi Detained in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, Tehran

Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, former political prisoners, were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21.

A source, closely tied to the families, confirmed their arrest to HRANA. As of this moment, the detainees have not been able to reach out to their families, although indications suggest that they might have been transferred to Evin Prison.

Of particular concern is the health of Mrs. Farsi, who is battling cancer and requires immediate access to her medication, a pressing issue that has raised alarm within her family.

It’s worth noting that they have a history of previous convictions and incarceration related to their activism.

 

Baha’i Citizen Anisa Fanaeian Detained in Semnan

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Fanaeian, Baha'i arrest, Baha'i citizen, Semnan

Semnan, August 21 – Anisa Fanaeian, a member of the Baha’i community and a resident of Semnan, has been apprehended by security forces and transported to an undisclosed location.

A source closely connected to her family has relayed to HRANA that on Monday, at noon, security forces executed a sudden raid on Fanaeian’s residence, culminating in her arrest. During the operation, a thorough search was conducted, leading to the confiscation of several items including her cell phone, laptop, and literature associated with the Baha’i faith.

At present, the motives that prompted Fanaeian’s detention remain obscure, and her present whereabouts are shrouded in uncertainty.

Fanaeian faced conviction and incarceration on prior occasions due to her religious convictions.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

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.

Five Inmates Executed in Qazvin, Kerman, and Kahnuj

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Executions, News
Abdolghafoor Toomaj Turkman, Jamil Abdollahzadeh, Kahnuj, Kerman, Mehran Amiri, Qazvin, Rasoul Narui, Saeed Rigi

On August 21, 2023, the lives of five individuals came to a solemn end yesterday as they were executed in separate incidents across Kerman, Kahnuj, and Qazvin.

According to Haal Vsh, Kerman Prison officials executed three death-row prisoners, identified as Saeed Rigi, approximately 40 years of age, Abdolghafoor Toomaj Turkman, and Amir Rahimi. Three years ago, in two separate cases, they were sentenced to death by the Kerman Revolutionary Court for drug offenses.

Haal Vsh also reported the execution of Rasoul Narui (Narooie), aged 29, in Kahnuj Prison, located in Kerman Province. He had been found guilty of murder four years ago.
Adding to this list of tragic events, Iran Human Rights Organization verified the executions of two more inmates in Qazvin Prison. Jamil Abdollahzadeh, aged 41, and Mehran Amiri, approximately 45 years old, were put to death due to their involvement in drug-related crimes.

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.

 

Convicted Drug Offender Executed in Ahvaz Prison

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Executions, News
Abdolreza Ghalavand, ahvaz, Andimeshk, Sheyban Prison

On August 21, 2023, an inmate previously convicted of drug-related crimes faced execution within the walls of Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.

The inmate has been identified by HRANA as Abdolreza Ghalavand. A resident of Andimeshk and a father to a single child, Ghalavand had spent the past decade behind bars.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country reported this execution at the time of writing.

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.

 

 

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Film Director Navid Mihandoost Begins Three-Year Term at Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Navid Mihandoost, Reza Mihandoost

Writer and film director Navid (Reza) Mihandoost has commenced a three-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court previously handed down this three-year imprisonment due to charges of “actions against national security through involvement and collaboration with anti-regime groups aiming to overthrow the government.” Additionally, he was sentenced to an extra six months for “disseminating propaganda against the regime by inscribing protest slogans on city walls.”

On August 18, 2020, the appeal process affirmed this verdict. As per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year prison term is now in effect.

In December 2019, Mihandoost was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence agents and confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was subsequently released on bail after two months, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Aged around 51, Mihandoost hails from Nowshahr and boasts an accomplished career as a director for several TV series and cinema productions.

Imam of Friday Prayer in Rask Apprehended by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Chah Bahar, Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi, Rask

Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi, the Imam of Friday Prayer in Rask, has been arrested by security forces on August 20, according to a report by Rasank News.

Naghshbandi’s arrest reportedly occurred during his journey from Rask to Chah Bahar. Agents from both the IRGC intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence allegedly coordinated with the Chah Bahar oil company to summon Naghshbandi to Chah Bahar under the pretext of collecting his fuel allocation for his vehicle and his family members. Subsequently, security forces intercepted and detained him along the route.

The exact location where Naghshbandi is being held remains undisclosed. The nature of the charges against him has yet to be revealed.

It’s worth noting that Naghshbandi had previously received summons from judicial authorities, indicating a prior interaction with legal proceedings.

Azerbaijan Citizen Farid Safarli Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Other
Azerbaijan, Farid Safarli

Farid Safarli, a citizen of Azerbaijan (the Country), has been handed a two-year prison sentence on charges of alleged “espionage,” as reported by a security institution-affiliated news outlet.

This news channel had previously reported on Safarli’s arrest. In March 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan disclosed his disappearance on March 4, 2023, subsequent to his journey from Germany, where he was studying at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, to Iran on February 20.
As of now, the location of Safarli’s detention remains undisclosed.

While the legal pursuit of individuals for espionage is not inherently categorized as a human rights violation, apprehensions arise regarding the veracity of these accusations. The Iranian regime frequently deploys such allegations to suppress political dissidents, and the opacity surrounding legal proceedings exacerbates doubts about the authenticity of these cases.

 

Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey Receives Six-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, Sari, Tir Kola

Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, a resident of Sari, has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Sari Revolutionary Court. The verdict includes the forfeiture of particular possessions, a travel prohibition, and other social restrictions.

The court’s ruling specifies that Moradi Kia-Pey will serve five years for “inciting actions against national security by disseminating false accusations against the regime” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.” Among the items seized are technical and telecommunications equipment, along with SIM cards. Furthermore, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without limitations.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison will be enforceable.

On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. He was subsequently confined in a detention facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.

Moradi Kia-Pey had a previous encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted clemency through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after roughly 30 days of confinement.

Mohammad Vaziri Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Chalus, HRANA, Isfahan, Koroush Vaziri, Mohammad Vaziri, Shirin Alizadeh

On August 17, Mohammad (Koroush) Vaziri was arrested by security forces in Isfahan and taken to an undisclosed location. His wife, Shirin Alizadeh fell victim to regime forces in Chalus, Mazandaran province, amid the nationwide protests (aka Mahsa Amini protests).

A source close to the Vaziri family disclosed to HRANA that Vaziri’s detention transpired after a commemorative ceremony at his wife’s gravesite on her birthday. His apprehension unfolded at the entrance of the cemetery. This source outlined that during the arrest, authorities confiscated both his mobile phones and those of his friends and accompanying relatives.

The motives behind this arrest, Vaziri’s current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shirin Alizadeh was tragically shot dead by the police/security forces on September 22 during the 2022 nationwide protests.

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.