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Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Sentecned to Five Years and Eight Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, Tehran, workers' rights activists

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld a five-year and eight-month sentence against Anisha Asadollahi, according to a report from the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years of the imposed sentence.

In May 2023, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 in the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a five-year sentence to Asadollahi for “assembly and collusion against national security,” along with an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were arrested at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. However, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is worth noting that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

Baha’i Couple Faces Nine-Year and Six-Month Combined Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Samieian, Baha'i citizens, Bahais faith, HRANA, Iranian Bahais, Rasht, Vesal Momtazi

Vesal Momtazi and Anisa Samieian, a Baha’i couple, have been collectively sentenced to a nine-year and six-month prison term by the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to the verdict issued on June 13 by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, Mrs. Samieian received a sentence of seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” along with three years and six months for “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Sharia law.” Meanwhile, Mr. Momtazi has been sentenced to seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” one year and three months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and three years and six months for “insulting Sharia law.” In addition, he has been fined 38 million tomans. Both individuals are also subjected to social deprivations for a period of ten years. If these verdicts are upheld on appeal, each of them will serve three years and six months in prison.

On November 4, 2022, security forces conducted a search of their residence, resulting in their arrest. Mr. Momtazi was released on bail after his arrest on December 6, 2022. Mrs. Samieian, who was pregnant at the time, was granted release on bail following two interrogation sessions. It is important to note that this Baha’i couple has two young sons, aged five and three months.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the breach of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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.

Majid Khademi Receives Nine-Year and Three-Month Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, irgc, Mahshahr, Majid Khademi, Taft, Yazd Province

Majid Khademi, a 31-year-old resident of Behbahan, has been handed a sentence of nine years and three months by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, following a plea of no contest.

Originally, Khademi had been sentenced to ten years and one month. However, after entering a plea of no contest, the sentence was reduced from six years and three months to five years and five months for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The convictions of two years and six months for “propaganda against the regime” and one year and four months for “membership in anti-regime groups” remain unchanged.
Additionally, as part of the ruling, Khademi has been ordered to serve two years of exile in Taft, Yazd Province. He is also prohibited from joining any political or civil groups and is mandated to attend orientation classes.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial prison term of five years and five months will be enforced. Furthermore, Khademi faces additional charges in the second part of his legal case, which has been transferred to Behbahan Criminal Court.

On January 18, 2020, Khademi, along with Mehran Gharebaghi, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence and subsequently taken to a detention facility in Behbahan City. Following one month of interrogation, they were transferred to Behbahan Prison.

On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

 

 

 

 

Maryam Abbasi Nikoo Arrested in Shahi Shahr: Family Subjected to Violence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bita Shafiee, HRANA, Isfahan, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, Shahi Shahr

On June 26, 2023, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo was forcefully apprehended by IRGC Intelligence agents at her residence in Shahi Shahr, Isfahan Province. She was subsequently taken to a detention facility, following a violent arrest that involved the search of her home and physical assault on her husband.

According to a reliable source close to her family, who spoke to HRANA, Abbasi Nikoo was arrested at her home on Monday evening. During the arrest, IRGC Intelligence agents conducted a search, resulting in damage to their belongings and physical harm inflicted upon her husband.

It is worth noting that Abbasi Nikoo’s 17-year-old daughter, Bita Shafiee, had previously been detained by security forces for her involvement in protests against serial poison attacks on schools. Shafiee was later released.

Despite these developments, the specific reasons behind Abbasi Nikoo’s arrest and the charges against her remain undisclosed.

Student Activist Armita Pavir Taken into Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News
Armita Pavir, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Mahsa Amini

On June 28, 2023, student activist Armita Pavir was arrested by security forces at her residence and transported to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke with HRANA, “Today, intelligence agents conducted a raid on Pavir’s residence, resulting in her arrest.”

The reasons and security institution responsible for her arrest, her whereabouts, and the allegation are currently unknown.

The reasons behind her arrest, the security agency involved, her current whereabouts, and the specific allegations against her remain unknown at this time.

Pavir is pursuing studies in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani. Previously, on October 31, 2022, she was apprehended by security forces in front of the university entrance and was released on December 8, 2022, after posting a bail of 250 million tomans.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

 

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Mostaghel Newspaper’s Managing Editor Receives Prison Sentence and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Abbasi, irgc, Mostaghel Newspaper, Thar-Allah

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Fariba Abbasi, the managing editor of Mostaghel Newspaper, has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined five million tomans.

Ali Nazari, the chief editor, stated, “Following a complaint lodged by the IRGC’s Thar-Allah Headquarters, the Tehran Criminal Court has imposed a six-month prison term and a fine on Abbasi.”
The court proceedings regarding the charges against her took place in mid-June.

Multiple Individuals Arrested in Connection to Makki Grand Mosque Incident

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Abdolhamid Ismaeelzah, Abolnasir Shahbaksh, Haal Vsh, irgc, Makki Grand Mosque, Molavi Abdolhamid, Osameh Shahbaksh, Zahedan

According to Tasnim, a security-affiliated news agency, a number of individuals have been arrested in relation to the Makki Grand Mosque incident. These individuals are said to have been apprehended for their alleged involvement in uncovering a plot to poison Abdolhamid Ismaeelzah (aka Molavi Abdolhamid), the Zahedan Imam of Friday Prayer and spiritual leader for Iranian Sunnis.

They are facing legal actions for charges of “spreading falsehood and disturbing public opinion.” Recent reports from media outlets like Haal Vsh, which covers incidents of human rights violations in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, have highlighted that the security personnel at Makki Grand Mosque apprehended an individual who was allegedly commissioned by the IRGC to carry out a terrorist act involving the poisoning of Molavi Abdolhamid.

In response to this thwarted terror attempt, the provincial Chief Justice has called for the security personnel of Makki Grand Mosque to provide evidence supporting these allegations, otherwise facing legal consequences.
Consequently, security forces have arrested several individuals who are relatives or close associates of Molavi Abdolhamid, including his grandson, Abolnasir Shahbaksh, and a 23-year-old cameraman named Osameh Shahbaksh, who works at the Mosque. Both individuals’ residences have been searched by security forces.

Multiple Individuals Arrested for Participation in Clubhouse Communities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Abdi Ahraz, Amir Akhavan, Clubhouse, Danial Amin, Evin Prison, Farhang Azadmanesh, HRANA, Mahvash Seydali, Narges Seydali, Nima Avidnia, Sarvenaz Misaghian

Security forces have recently apprehended a number of individuals who were actively engaged in social media communities on Clubhouse. Among those detained are Mahvash (Sayeh) Seydali, Sarvenaz Misaghian, Danial Amin, Amir Akhavan, Nima Avidnia, Farhang Azadmanesh, and Alireza Abdi Ahraz.

Despite the passing of six days since their arrests, there is still a lack of information regarding the whereabouts of some of these individuals.

According to reports obtained from HRANA, Alireza Abdi is currently incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Additionally, Narges Seydali confirmed her sister Mahvash Seydali’s arrest through a social media post. However, the specific reasons behind their arrests and the allegations against them remain undisclosed.

Clubhouse, a social audio app, is widely utilized by many Iranians who actively express their opinions and engage in discussions on various topics.

Legal Action Initiated Against Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh, Father and Daughter

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Adinezadeh, Ali Adinezadeh, Bojnurd, Goldasteh Hosseini Jahanabad, Mahsa Amini, Marzieh Adinezadeh, Reza Adinezadeh, Shirvan

Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh, the father and sister of Abolfazl Adinezadeh, a teenager tragically killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022, now face legal repercussions. They have been accused of allegedly engaging in “propaganda against the regime.”

Today, on June 27, their lawyer Khosro Alikurdi revealed that the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court has officially registered a legal case against my clients, Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh.

On June 16, 2023, just before Abolfazl Adinezadeh’s birthday, security forces apprehended these individuals, along with Abolfazl Adinezadeh’s mother, Goldasteh Hosseini Jahanabad, and uncle, Reza Adinezadeh. They were subsequently detained in prisons located in Shirvan and Bojnurd.

Four days later, Marzieh and her parents were granted release on bail.

During the 2022 nationwide protest in Mashhad, Abolfazl Adinezadeh tragically lost his life when he was allegedly shot by regime forces, reportedly sustaining 25 bullet wounds.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The protests in Iran were triggered by the arrest of Mahsa Amini by the Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her subsequent suspicious death on September 16. The demonstrations quickly spread across the country, with participants rallying against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. Thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested during the nationwide protests.

 

Mahmood Mehrabi Indicted for “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Mahmood Mehrabi

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Mobarakeh Public and Revolutionary Courthouse, Branch 1, has indicted Mahmood Mehrabi on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to Mehrabi’s lawyer, who spoke to HRANA, Mehrabi is currently detained in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. He was arrested for publishing online content that encouraged people to participate in protests. “So far, my colleagues and I have been denied the opportunity to represent my client,” his lawyer added.

On February 1, 2023, security forces arrested Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was initially released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested just a few hours later at his residence. A reliable source close to his family revealed that the reason for his re-arrest was a social media post he published.