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Execution of Iraqi National Inmate in Qom

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Executions, News
Abuzar Taher Arab, Iraq, Mosul, Qom prison

The Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Abuzar Taher Arab, a 38-year-old Iraq-national inmate, in Qom prison on February 12.

Arab, hailing from Mosul, Iraq, had been convicted of murder three years ago.

As of the current writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets in the country have covered this execution. The absence of official information raises concerns regarding transparency and accountability in the execution process.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of  746 individuals. Out of these, 6 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 597 were male and 20 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Appeals Court Confirms Six-Month Sentence against Political Prisoner Manoochehr Bakhtiari

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News, Prisoners
Manoochehr Bakhtiari, Manouchehr Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari, Qazvin, Qazvin prison

The Court of Appeal in Qazvin has upheld a six-month sentence against Manoochehr Bakhtiari, a political prisoner currently held in Qazvin Prison.

Judge Habibollah Amiri issued this verdict on February 13, 2024, citing “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” as the grounds for the additional imprisonment.

The initial sentence was handed down by the Revolutionary Court of Qazvin on November 1, 2023.

Notably, as a punitive measure, Bakhtiari has been prohibited from making phone calls or receiving family visits since January 9.

Currently serving a three-year, six-month sentence in Qazvin Prison, Bakhtiari’s wife has raised concerns about his health, citing multiple ailments, and alleges that he is being denied access to medical treatment and furlough. She explained, “He endured a toothache for four months with infections spreading to his ears and eyes. Prison officials delayed his dispatch to a dentist every day until he had to extract his upper row teeth to alleviate the pain.”

Bakhtiari’s legal troubles began on April 29, 2021, when security forces forcibly arrested him at his residence in Tehran. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison, along with a two-year, six-month exile and a two-year travel ban. Bakhtiari began serving this sentence in July 2021.

In a tragic and interconnected series of events, Bakhtiari’s son, Pouya, at the age of 27, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2019 protests, also known as the Aban Protests, in Karaj. According to his sister and mother, Pouya succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after being shot in the head during the second day of the protest’s eruption.

Abdolrasoul Mortazavi Receives Two-Year Sentence in Prison for New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Dastgerd Prison, Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison

Political prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, currently serving an eleven-year sentence in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has been handed an additional two-year sentence for a new legal case initiated while in prison.

Confirming the recent ruling, a source close to Mortazavi’s family informed HRANA that the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years. The legal case was triggered by Mortazavi’s voice message titled “Joking with the world leader of the clowns,” recorded in Rajai Shahr Prison in April-May 2022.

In mid-August 2019, Mortazavi and 13 civil society activists penned an open letter urging Ayatollah Khamenei to step down, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence, with 11 years currently in effect. He is currently serving this sentence in Dastgerd Prison.

Additionally, Mortazavi was sentenced to an extra two years in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for alleged “propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order.”

An Iran-Iraq war-injured veteran, Mortazavi was initially incarcerated in Evin Prison. In March 2021, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison and later, in the following year, exiled to Dastgerd Prison.

Khoda-Karami Brothers Receive Combined 12-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Khoda-Karami, Mehdi Khoda-Karami, Mohammad Khoda-Karami, Mujahedin-e-Khalq

Mohammad and Mehdi Khoda-Karami have been sentenced by the Khorramabad Revolutionary Court.

According to a reliable source close to HRANA, the Revolutionary Court has handed down sentences of eight years for Mohammad and four years for Mehdi. The charges include “membership in an anti-regime group (The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran, or the Mujahedin-e-Khalq)” and “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

Originally arrested in Tehran last year, these Khorramabad residents were initially held in Evin Prison before being transferred to Khorramabad Prison.

Reports obtained by HRANA reveal that the Khoda-Karami brothers were subjected to physical assault during the interrogation. Additionally, throughout their detention, they were denied access to medical care despite suffering from multiple diseases.

Sunni Cleric Mohammad Khezr-Nejad Receives Death Sentence

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Asa'ad Rahimi, Bukan, Kurdpa, Mohammad Khezr-Nejad, Mohammad Khezrnejad, Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province

In a recent development, Sunni cleric Mohammad Khezr-Nejad has been sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. The charges against him include “spreading corruption on earth” and “acting against national security,” as reported by Kurdpa.

Judge Reza Najafzadeh issued the ruling, finding Khezr-Nejad guilty of various offenses, such as “spreading corruption on earth,” “acting against national security through threatening the integrity or independence of the country,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Consequently, he has been handed a death sentence along with 16 years of imprisonment. Throughout the trial, Khezr-Nejad has consistently dismissed these charges as baseless.

The verdict was reached based on coerced confessions obtained from the defendant during interrogation, where he purportedly admitted to “leading protests in Bukan and association with anti-regime groups.” Khezr-Nejad has contested the authenticity of these confessions.

In response to the sentencing, Khezr-Nejad has reportedly filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal of West Azerbaijan province.

The cleric and his son were arrested on November 19, 2022, by security forces in Bukan and subsequently detained in Urmia Prison. The arrest occurred after Khezr-Nejad delivered a speech during the funeral of Asa’ad Rahimi, who lost his life during protests at the hands of regime forces. The arrest involved physical assault against Khezr-Nejad.

It’s worth noting that Khezr-Nejad has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his activism.

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Safa Aeli, Mahsa Amini’s Uncle, Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Mostafaie, Mahsa Amini, Safa Aeli, Saleh Nikbakht, Saqqez

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Saqqez handed down a five-year, six-month prison term and additional penalties to Safa Aeli, maternal uncle of Mahsa Amini.

Aeli received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for charges related to “assisting in assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” In addition, he has been prohibited from leaving the country for two years and mandated to write an article focusing on the topic of the deceased police and military forces.

Confirming this news, Aeli’s lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht informed HRANA that three years and six months of this sentence is enforceable. On September 5, 2023, security forces arrested Safa Aeli. He was released on bail from Saqqez Prison on October 17, 2023. He was denied access to a lawyer and family visits during his detention.

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. Additional understanding can be acquired by examining the report provided by HRANA.

 

Mohammad Narui Receives 12-Year Prison Sentence for Alleged Membership in Anti-Regime Groups

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Mohammad Narooie, Mohammad Narui, Zahedan

The Revolutionary Court of Zahedan has sentenced Mohammad Narui (Narooie) to twelve years in prison, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Narui received this verdict on the grounds of alleged “membership in anti-regime groups,” although the specific actions leading to this charge remain undisclosed.

Narui, aged 22, a resident of Zahedan, was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence on April 8, 2023. During his detention in the Ministry’s facility, he was denied access to legal representation.

After Narui’s arrest, security-affiliated media released a video featuring his coerced confession. While the circumstances surrounding the video remain unclear, Narui is portrayed as a member of a militia group. However, the group promptly dismissed the regime’s claim, labeling it as baseless and untrue.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 80 cases of forced confessions, highlighting violations of prisoners’ rights by security and judicial authorities.

Iranian-Swedish National Saeed Azizi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dual national, Iman Afshari, Iranian-Swedish national, Saeed Azizi

Saeed Azizi, a dual national of Iran and Sweden currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed a five-year prison sentence on political charges by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari found Azizi guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Azizi was taken into custody on November 12, 2023, at his residence in Tehran shortly after his arrival from Sweden.

Azizi’s lawyer reports that he is grappling with cancer, making his detention particularly challenging. His health condition has further deteriorated after a recent fall down the stairs.

Earlier, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concern about Azizi’s arrest in Iran without clear reasons.

Shahab Nadali Receives Death Sentence

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Baghi, Iman Afshari, Mojahedin-e-Khalq, Shahab Nadali

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a death sentence to Shahab Nadali Joozani for charges related to “Baghi” (Armed rebellion) through membership in Munafiqin (a term used by the regime referring to People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran or Mojahedin-e-Khalq). In addition, Nadali has been sentenced to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security.” He is currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari personally delivered the verdict to Nadali. Meanwhile, the second-row defendant, Hesamedin Alvani, has been acquitted of the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

As reported by HRANA, Nadali’s lawyer, Mohammad-Saleh Noghrehkar, has filed an appeal against the verdict.

Nadali, a 41-year-old resident of Hamedan and father of a 12-year-old daughter, was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence on June 7, 2023.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Student Samaneh Asghari Receives One-Year Prison Sentence on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Kharazmi University, Qarchak Prison, Samaneh Asghari, Tehran Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal in Tehran has issued a one-year prison sentence for Samaneh Asghari, a student at Kharazmi University.

In a verdict dated February 10, 2024, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal upheld Asghari’s one-year sentence. The initial verdict was issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Asghari was detained by security forces at her residence in Tehran on September 14, 2023, and subsequently released on bail from Qarchak Prison in Varamin on October 4, 2023.

It is worth noting that Asghari had previously faced detention in connection with nationwide protests in October 2022, leading to an initial sentence of 18 years and three months. However, she was granted a pardon under the general pardon and commutation directive, resulting in her release from Qarchak Prison in April of the current year.