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Mahsa Yazdani’s 13-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, Mahsa Yazdani, Mazandaran, Meysam Mousavi, Mohammad Javad Zahedi, محمدجواد یزدانی, مهسا یزدانی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has confirmed a 13-year sentence against Mahsa Yazdani, whose son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the nationwide protests in 2022 at the hands of regime forces.

Yazdani’s lawyer, Meysam Mousavi, publicly announced the affirmation of this verdict by the Mazandaran Court of Appeals on Sunday, November 19.

Initially, the Sari Revolutionary Court imposed a five-year term on Yazdani for “blasphemy,” an additional five years for “incitement against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an extra year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a total of 13 years, with five years to be enforced.

On August 22, 2023, Yazdani was apprehended by security forces in Sari. After spending 45 days in detention, she was granted release on bail.

Her son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the protests on September 22, 2022.

Execution of Inmate in Ramhormoz for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Abdolkhalegh Parvizi, ahvaz, Khuzestan, Ramhormoz

On Sunday, November 12, prison authorities in Ramhormoz carried out the execution of an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The executed individual has been identified as Abdolkhalegh Parvizi, a resident of Ahvaz in the Khuzestan province. He had been convicted of drug offenses three years prior to the execution.

As of the current moment, there is a lack of official confirmation from authorities or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country regarding these executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

 

Two Civilians Fatally Shot by Military Forces in Sistan and Baluchestan Province

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News, Other
Amir Safari, Hirmand, Iranshahr, Matin Narui, Sistan and Baluchestan

On November 16, two tragic incidents unfolded in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, where military forces, without warning, fired upon civilians, resulting in fatal outcomes in Hirmand and Iranshahr counties, as reported by Haal Vsh.

In the vicinity of Iranshahr, military forces opened fire on a vehicle traveling on the road, claiming the life of 18-year-old Matin Narui (Narooie) with a gunshot to the head.

In a separate incident on the same day, 45-year-old Amir Safari (Sarani) was fatally shot in the chest in a village within Hirmand County. Responding to a gunshot, he and fellow villagers emerged from their homes, only to be met with gunfire from military forces positioned in a watchtower. Amir Safari, located just 100 meters from his residence, succumbed to the injuries sustained. The family’s inquiries into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident remain unanswered by local authorities.

Disturbingly, these incidents add to a concerning trend. According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), a total of 845 individuals were shot by military forces in 2022. Of these victims, at least 571 lost their lives, including 22 Kolbar, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. Additionally, 274 people suffered injuries from military forces’ gunfire, comprising 134 Kolbar, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers. The need for transparent investigations and accountability in these matters is paramount to address the alarming frequency of such incidents.

Inmate Executed in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison

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Executions, News
Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, Mehdi Bakhshandeh

On November 15, 2023, Mehdi Bakhshandeh, an inmate convicted of assisting in the killing of Border Guard Captain Nabiallah Khatiri three years ago, was executed in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison.

As of the time of writing, no official statements from government sources or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country have been made regarding this execution.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Three Political Defendants Sentenced to Over 61 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, irgc, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a combined sentence of 61 years and 10 months to political defendants Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, Mahboobeh Rezaie, and Samaneh Nowruz Moradi.

Presided over by Judge Amoozad, the court communicated the following verdicts:

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” three years with property confiscation for “illegal acquisition of property,” and one year and seven months for “defying government officers on duty.”

Mahboobeh Rezaie: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” seven years and nine months for blasphemy, and one year and seven months for “removing hijab and showing the act of depravity on the Internet.”

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year and three months for “propaganda against the regime.”

As additional penalties, they have been sentenced to two years of compulsory residence in Tehran and a two-year prohibition from participating in political/civil groups and engaging in activities on social media.

The court session addressing their charges took place on November 4, 2023.

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini was arrested at his residence on May 1, 2023, and initially detained at Detention Facility A-1 under the IRGC’s jurisdiction, later moved to Evin Prison, and ultimately relocated to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi was arrested at her Tehran residence on April 24, 2023, and incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Mahboobeh Rezaie was arrested by security forces on May 22, 2023, and detained in Evin Prison after a period.

These individuals, known for their activism, had previously faced arrests and imprisonment.

 

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Asrin Mohammadi Arrested in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asrin Mohammadi, Bukan, Milad Mohammadi, Shahriar Mohammadi

On November 15, Asrin Mohammadi was apprehended by security forces in Bukan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location. Notably, her brother Shahriar Mohammadi was killed by regime forces during nationwide protests just last year.

Milad Mohammadi, Asrin’s brother, took to social media to disclose that 17 security agents arrested his sister at a printing shop in Bukan. He reported that Asrin endured physical abuse and injuries inflicted by special police forces during the arrest.

The grounds for Mohammadi’s arrest, the charges against her, and her current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

It is worth noting that Shahriar Mohammadi, aged approximately 30, met a tragic end when he was fatally shot during the protests on November 18, 2022.

Nine Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Bagher Mohammadi, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Nazir Mohammad, Qezel Hesar Prison

On November 15, 2023, authorities at Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison carried out the execution of nine individuals on death row. HRANA has identified two of the executed as Nazir Mohammad, an Afghan national, and Bagher Mohammadi, both convicted of drug offenses.

Additionally, two other inmates faced execution for “enmity against God (Moharebeh) via armed robbery,” while the remaining five were convicted of murder.

The relocation of these individuals to solitary confinement was reported by HRANA one day prior to the executions.

As of the time of writing, no official statements from government sources or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country have been made regarding these executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Execution of Woman for Drug Offenses in Kerman Prison

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Executions, News
Kerman, Shiraz, Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, زرخاتون مزارزهی

On November 15, 2023, a female inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed at Kerman Prison.

The executed inmate is identified as Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, approximately 46 years old, from Saravan, married, and a mother of one child. Mazar-Zahi was apprehended six years ago at a police checkpoint in Kerman Province on suspicion of drug smuggling while en route to Shiraz.
On March 15, 2022, the Kerman Revolutionary Court handed down a death sentence, a verdict subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court. As of the current writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Eight Months in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Markazi Province, Mobtakeran Machinery Company, حمیدرضا نجفی

The Court of Appeal of Markazi Province has sentenced Hamidreza (Hamid-Reza) Najafi, a resident of Arak, to eight months in prison.

Najafi was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime” but was acquitted of the charge of “inciting people to commit acts of violence.”
Initially, the Arak Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to three years and six months for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” In addition, the Criminal Court imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”
Najafi, a 41-year-old innovative entrepreneur and CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company, was detained in September of this year. He was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Two Individuals Detained in Zahedan

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News, Other
Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh, Zahedan

On Monday, November 13, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh and Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh were taken into custody by security forces in Zahedan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Haal Vsh.

Mesbah, 20 years old, and Abdolmatin, 21 years old, were reportedly apprehended on the street in Zahedan. The grounds for their detention, their current location, and the specific allegations against them remain unknown as of now.