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Violent Crackdown on Prisoners’ Protests in Qaem Shahr and Karaj Prisons

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News, Prisoners

On December 18, 2022, unrest and a clash between inmates and prison guards occurred in Qaem Shahr Prison, Mazandaran Province. Prison guards got into a fight with prisoners when they wanted to take a death-row inmate to carry out his execution.

According to the news agency Young Journalists Club, the clash occurred following the relocation of an inmate convicted of murder to carry out his execution the next day, on Monday, morning.

Chief Justice of Mazandaran claimed one of the prisoners started the fight and the unrest was quelled with prison special forces’ interference.

Also, on December 17, a similar clash occurred in The Central Prison of Karaj following prisoners’ resistance against executing several death-row inmates.

An informed source, however, told HRANA that more than 100 prisoners were injured during the unrest, and prison forces used guns to crush the unrest.

As HRANA already reported that this crackdown most likely has been deadly, the Chief Justice of Alborz stated that one inmate was killed during the clash.

Following this incident, several prisoners’ families gathered before the prison to inquire about the prisoners’ conditions, which remained unanswered by prison officials.

Baha’i Bardia Basiri Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Ayda Rasti, Bahais, Bardia Basiri, Tehran

On December 17, 2022, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Bardia Basiri at his home in Tehran. His wife, Ayda Rasti, is also detained. The intelligence agents searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on December 17, 2022, Baha’i Bardia Basiri was arrested by security forces in Tehran.

An informed source told HRANA that Aida Rasti got a severe nervous attack and was hospitalized when she found out about his husband’s arrest.

Earlier, Basiri had been interrogated following his wife’s arrest.

Ayda Rasti is still in detention in Qarchak Prison after 81 days. During her detention, she suffered from nervous problems and lost weight.

 

Six Inmates Executed in Rajai-Shahr and Qazvin Prisons

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Executions, News
Qazvin, Rajai-Shahr, Yousef Mirza-Beigi

Five inmates in Rajai-Shahr Prison and one in Qazvin Prison were executed.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on December 14, 2022, Rajai-Shahr Prison officials executed five inmates convicted of murder.

HRANA is working on identifying these individuals.

Also, Kurdpa reported the execution of an inmate identified as Yousef Mirza-Beigi in Qazvin Prison on December 15. He was previously convicted of murder.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country has reported these executions at the time of writing.

Iran Protests: Six People Sentenced to a Combined over 18 Years for Protest in Oshnavieh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdorrahim Rahimi, Ehsan Safai-Far, Fardin Khosh-Khahesh, Farhad Kazemi, Khaled Dashti, Mohammad Peyghami, Oshnavieh

The Oshnavieh Criminal Court sentenced Farhad Kazemi, Khaled Dashti, Ehsan Safai-Far, Mohammad Peyghami, Abdorrahim Rahimi and Fardin Khosh-Khahesh to a combined 18 years and six months in prison. These individuals were arrested during recent protests and then released on bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, six residents of Oshnavieh were sentenced to a total of 18 years and six months in prison.

According to these verdicts, Abdorrahim Rahimi and Fardin Khosh-Khahesh received five years and three months for “disturbing public order, defying government agents, and destruction of public property through participating in protests.” Farhad Kazemi, Khaled Dashti, Ehsan Safai-Far and Mohammad Peyghami each received two years for “disturbing public order and defying government agents.”

These individuals were previously arrested by security forces and released later on bail after the interrogation.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, about 18400, including journalists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read the latest HRANAs comprehensive report here.

Civil Rights Activist Shahla Jahanbin Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News

On December 14, 2022, security forces arrested Shahla Jahanbin at Mehrabad airport in Tehran and took her to an undisclosed location.

An informed source close to her family told HRANA that “Jahanbin was on her way to Mashhad to see her husband, Vahedian Shahroudi. The intelligence agents arrested her at Mehrabad Airport at midnight. So far, she has not called her family, raising her family’s concerns.”

Jahanbin and her husband, Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi, faced other arrests and convictions for their civil activities.

On November 14, 2020, Jahanbin began her 27-month sentence in Evin Prison. On April 5, 2021, she was released early from prison following receiving an imprisonment intolerance certificate.

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Three Inmates Executed in Rasht and Karaj

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Executions, News
Amir Abbasi, Hassan Amini, Karaj, Lakan prison, Rasht, Reza Tajik

On December 15, 2022, three inmates convicted of murder and drug-related crimes were executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht and the Central Prison of Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on December 15, 2022, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, Hassan Amini and Amir Abbasi were executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht, Gilan Province.

These individuals were previously sentenced to death for murder.

Also, an Afghan national identified as Reza Tajik convicted of drug-related crimes was executed in the Central Prison of Karaj.

 

Iran Protests: Student Amir Azizi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Azizi, great tehran penitentiary, University of Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict against Amir Azizi who was arrested at protests. Azizi, an architecture student at the University of Tehran, was initially sentenced to 11 years in prison and 74 lashes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, student Amir Azizi was sentenced to 11 years in prison and 74 lashes.

According to this verdict, Azizi was given five years for “acting against national security through inciting violence,” three years and 74 lashes for “disturbing public opinion on the Internet,” two years for “assembly and collusion to commit a crime,” and one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison for the first charge mentioned above will be enforceable to him.

On December 14, Azizi endured flogging in the Great Tehran Penitentiary.

 

Five Inmates Executed in Gorgan and Rasht

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Executions, News
Abbas Abdollahi, Fariborz Shahbazi, Gorgan, Majid Mehdi-Pour, Masoud Effati, Payam Nourollahi, Rasht

Recently, five prisoners convicted of murder were executed in Gorgan and Rasht Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, on December 13, 2022, Payam Nourollahi, age 33, was executed in Gorgan Prison.

About three years ago, Nourollahi was accused and convicted of killing a Basij Militia force’s son over personal issues.

Also, the execution of two men in Rasht on November 17, 2021, has been reported. These individuals, identified as Abbas Abdollahi and Fariborz Shahbazi, were previously convicted of murder.

On December 1, 2022, two other inmates, Majid Mehdi-Pour and Masoud Effati were executed in Rasht.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country has reported these executions at the time of writing.

Iran Protests: Mohamad Shahrooi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, Mohamad Shahrooi

The Criminal Court of Behbahan sentenced Mohamad Shahrooi to one year in prison and 74 lashes. Shahrooi was previously arrested at protests in Behbahan

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohamad Shahrooi was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing public order through participating in protests.”

In November 2022, he was arrested at protests and later released on bail. According to an informed source, during the arrest, he was beaten, causing damage to his back.

 

Twelve People Arrested Allegedly for “Publishing Calls for Protests on the Internet”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Esfarayen, iran protests

On December 13, the chief of police of Esfarayen announced that 12 individuals were arrested allegedly for “publishing calls for protests on the Internet.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA, on December 13, 2022, 12 individuals were arrested in Esfarayen, North Khorasan Province, Iran.

This chief of police did not disclose the detainees’ identities.

“Their cases have been delivered to judicial authorities for legal proceedings,” he stated.