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Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Detained in Urmia

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Urmia

On February 6, 2024, security forces arrested Salar Taher Afshar in Urmia and subsequently transferred him to an undisclosed facility. The news of Afshar’s apprehension was disclosed by his sister.

At present, the specific reasons behind his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges levied against him remain undisclosed.

This recent arrest comes after Taher Afshar was previously detained on December 19, 2023. A court hearing addressing the charge of “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime” was conducted by the Tabriz Revolutionary Court on January 27, 2024.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for their advocacy of ethnic rights.

Journalist Mehdi Afshar Nik Taken into Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News
Etemand Online, Mehdi Afshar Nik, Shargh Newspaper

Journalist Mehdi Afshar Nik has been arrested by security forces and subsequently moved to an undisclosed facility, according to a report by Etemad Online.

The arrest reportedly took place on January 31, with the reasons for Afshar Nik’s detention, the whereabouts of his confinement, and the charges against him currently remaining unknown.

Afshar Nik, known for his work with Etemad and Shargh newspaper, has a history of legal challenges in his career as a journalist.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Parvin Detained in Ardabil

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Ardabil, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Morteza Parvin

On February 6, 2024, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Morteza Parvin was apprehended by security forces in Ardabil. He was taken to an undisclosed location following his arrest.

Parvin was detained at his father’s residence, where the agents conducted a search, resulting in the confiscation of some of his personal belongings.

As of now, the reasons behind Parvin’s arrest, his current location, and the charges filed against him remain unknown.

This incident marks not the first time Parvin has been subject to arrest due to his involvement as an Azerbaijani-Turk activist.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for advocating ethnic rights.

 

Isa Ebrahimzadeh Detained in Oshnavieh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Isa Ebrahimzadeh, Oshnavieh

In a concerning development, Isa Ebrahimzadeh was arrested by security forces in Oshnavieh on January 4 and taken to an undisclosed location.

His brother, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a worker’s rights advocate, disclosed the arrest, citing the Ministry of Intelligence’s involvement at Isa’s residence.

As of now, the exact location where he is being held and the charges against him remain unknown.

Ebrahimzadeh has encountered previous arrests and legal confrontations. On November 21, 2022, he was detained by security forces in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022. Subsequently, on January 12, 2023, he secured his release on bail of 500 million tomans (approximately 10,000 dollars) from Oshnavieh Prison.

Journalist Nasrin Hassani Begins Serving Seven-Month Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, Mahsa Amini Protests, Nasrin Hassani, Siahat-e Shargh

Journalist Nasrin Hassani commenced her seven-month prison term on February 4, as she was incarcerated in Bojnurd Prison.

A source close to Hassani’s family confirmed the news, stating that on February 4, she was placed in Bojnurd Prison to serve her sentence following her appearance in the Judgment Enforcement unit. The Criminal Court of Bojnurd had sentenced her on November 11, 2023, for “disseminating false information,” accompanied by a fine for alleged “non-compliance with Hijab in public.”

In a parallel development within this legal case, the Revolutionary Court of the city had previously sentenced her to one year, pending appeal.

Nasrin Hassani, the managing editor of the weekly newspaper Siahat-e Shargh, is a single mother to a 13-year-old son.

It’s worth noting that Hassani faced legal repercussions during the Mahsa Amini Protests in September 2022, having been arrested by security forces. She was subsequently released after a period of detention.

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Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Sentenced to 61 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mohammad Nourizad, Shahid Kechooie judicial complex, Tehran

Renowned civil rights advocate Mohammad Nourizad has been sentenced to 61 months in prison as a result of a legal case initiated while he was already incarcerated.

Presently serving his sentence at Evin Prison, Nourizad revealed the additional imprisonment through a voice message from behind bars. The recent court session addressing the new charges against Nourizad took place at the Shahid Kechooie judicial complex in Tehran. Unfortunately, he was unable to defend himself as he was not present during the proceedings.

Details regarding the charges leveled against Nourizad remain undisclosed at this time.

On August 9, 2023, Nourizad faced punitive measures and was relocated to solitary confinement due to his protest against the restriction of prisoners’ telephone cards, impeding their ability to make phone calls.

In a separate legal development from July 2023, Nourizad received an additional two-year prison sentence from the Tehran Revolutionary Court. This sentence stemmed from yet another legal case initiated while he was already in prison.

Nourizad’s legal ordeal began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for participating in the drafting of an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In the initial case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. Although the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support for Baha’i citizens in Eyvanki, Semnan Province.

Concerning the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, along with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order.” He also received an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was upheld on appeal as well.

Nourizad was released from Evin Prison on November 17, 2021, based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Nourizad has a history of arrests and convictions linked to his peaceful activism. He is a prominent filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.

 

Political Prisoner Nayeb Askari Faces Execution in Urmia Prison on Baghi Charges

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Baghi, moharebeh, Mostafa Soltani, Nayeb Askari, Urmia prison

Nayeb (Naeb) Askari, held in Urmia Prison, is at risk of execution after the Urmia Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death for Baghi (armed rebellion) in a recent retrial.

Initially sentenced to death for “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” on April 15, 2023, his plea for a retrial was accepted, leading to a charge change to Baghi. In October 2023, the court reaffirmed the death sentence, with the hearings reportedly conducted without his lawyer’s presence. The charge is supported by his alleged membership in a Kurdish political opposition party.

Arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, Askari was later moved to a detention facility and, on June 17, 2021, to Urmia Prison.

HRANA’s source reveals another ongoing case accusing Askari of the murder of IRGC member Mostafa Soltani. In 2013-2014, Soltani was injured during a clash with a political opposition party member, passing away six years later from COVID-19. Soltani’s family claims alleged Askari’s involvement in the altercation caused the sustained injury leading to his eventual death.

A new case, opened on July 12, 2021, based on a complaint from the Urmia Prison head, resulted in a three-month imprisonment extension and 50 lashes for “disrupting prison order.”

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

Execution of Inmate in Urmia Prison

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Executions, News
Mehdi Azarioon, Urmia prison

Update: HRANA has received reports indicating the execution of another inmate, Hossein Habibi, convicted of murder, on January 31 in Urmia Prison.

On January 31, 2024, Urmia Prison carried out the execution of Mehdi Azarioon, a resident of Urmia, convicted of murder.

HRANA has identified the executed individual as Mehdi Azarioon, who had been transferred to solitary confinement in anticipation of his imminent execution the day before.

As of now, there is no official confirmation from government sources or domestic media outlets in the country regarding these executions. The absence of official information raises apprehensions about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

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.

Iranian-Swedish Dual National Ahmad Reza Jalali Facing Execution

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ahmad Reza Jalali, Evin Prison, Hamid Nouri, moharebeh, Zabihollah Khodaian

Ahmad Reza Jalali, currently held in Evin Prison, is confronting the threat of execution.

Arrested by security forces in May 2016, he was subsequently sentenced to death on charges of “spying.” The Supreme Court affirmed the verdict in the following year, and last year, the then-judiciary’s spokesperson, Zabihollah Khodaian, announced the finalization of this sentence.

While addressing the potential prison swap between Jalali and Hamid Nouri during a press conference, Khodaian asserted that “these two issues are not related, and there is no ongoing discussion about such a swap.” However, Amnesty International stated in a release that Iran’s authorities are using the threat of Jalali’s execution as leverage for the proposed prison swap.

Professor Jalali, invited to Iran by the University of Tehran in May 2016, was arrested on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through espionage for Israel.” Moharebeh, interpreted as “waging war against God,” is a component of Sharia Law typically applied to those suspected of involvement in acts against the state. The Tehran Prosecutor accused him of “transferring information about confidential projects in research, military, defense, and nuclear fields in exchange for citizenship for him and his family from Sweden.”

18-Year-Old Sepehr Shirani’s Suspicious Death in Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Baloch Activists Campaign, IRGC Intelligence, Sepehr Shirani, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Zahedan

On January 30, 2024, Sepehr Shirani, 18 years old, died under suspicious circumstances after three days in the custody of a security institution in Zahedan, as reported by Haal Vsh.

IRGC Intelligence is said to be responsible for his arrest, notifying Shirani’s family of his demise via a phone call. As of now, his body has not been handed over to his family.

The agents cited the publication of critical social media posts as the reason for Shirani’s arrest.

The Baloch Activists Campaign, a human rights monitor in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, has reported that Shirani died under torture while in custody.

Notably, recent years have seen numerous cases of suspicious deaths or murders of citizens within police detention centers, security, and judicial institutions. In most instances, investigations have failed to definitively identify perpetrators or hold authorities accountable.

The agents had reportedly mentioned publishing criticizing posts on social media as the reason for Shirani’s arrest.

According to HRA’s annual report for 2023, a total of 1,386 violations of prisoners’ rights were documented. These include 27 cases of physical assault on prisoners, 1,390 instances of denial or neglect of medical care, 342 illegal transfers to solitary confinement, 114 attempted hunger strikes, 415 cases of forced transfer or exile of prisoners, 4,140 instances of threats and pressure on prisoners, 66 cases of denying prisoner visitation rights, 34 cases of psychological and physical torture, 7 deaths due to illness, 12 suicides, 1 case of self-immolation, 4 murders of prisoners, 208 instances of lack of access to legal counsel, 4,197 reports of prisoners being kept in unsuitable conditions, 80 cases of forced confession, 290 instances of non-segregation of crimes, 78 denials of medical leave, and 101 denials of the right to contact.