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Report on Eleven Political Prisoners and Detainees Held in Evin Prison’s Quarantine Section

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News
Alireza Hajian, Arash Keykhosravi, Behesht-e-Zahra, Behfar Laleh Zari, Evin Prison, Hamed Mohagheghi, HRANA, Mohsen Haj Mohammadi, Payam Bastani Parizi, Pouria Shokoohi Rad, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Rezavaneh Ahmadkah Beigi, Sajjad Bakhshali, Saman Rezaie, Zaman Esmaeili

Eleven political prisoners and detainees find themselves in the quarantine section of Evin Prison.

Nine among them were apprehended between September 11 and September 18, in a state of legal uncertainty. This group includes Mohsen Haj Mohammadi, Sajjad Bakhshali, Pouria Shokoohi Rad, Hamed Mohagheghi, Behfar Laleh Zari, Payam Bastani Parizi, Saman Rezaie, Alireza Hajian, and Zaman (Arash) Esmaeili. Additionally, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, a former political prisoner, faced punitive relocation to this section following his arrest on May 1, 2023. Lawyer Arash Keykhosravi, most recently arrested at his residence by security forces, completes the group.

According to information gathered by HRANA, in addition to these eleven prisoners, there are several other individuals currently detained in the same section. These individuals were recently arrested for participating in the anniversary ceremony commemorating the protestors who lost their lives during the 2022 nationwide protests at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. HRANA is actively engaged in efforts to identify these detainees.

Here is an overview of the eleven prisoners:

1. Sajjad Bakhshali: Arrested on September 18, 2023. He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a public security police station, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” Bakhshali has previously faced multiple arrests and incarcerations for his activism.

2. Behfar Laleh Zari: Arrested alongside his wife, Rezavaneh Ahmadkah Beigi, on September 18, 2023. He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a public security police station, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” A former political prisoner, Laleh Zari was released from Evin prison in February 2019. His wife is currently detained in Qarchak Prison, Varamin.

3. Payam Bastani Parizi: Arrested on September 11, 2023, he has been charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” After 12 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A, he was transferred to Evin Prison.

4. Reza Mohammad Hosseini: Arrested on May 1, 2023, Hosseini faces charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime, assembly and collusion against national security, and association with anti-regime news channels.” Hosseini is being held punitively in the quarantine section and has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to his activism.

5. Arash Keykhosravi: An attorney at law, arrested on September 25, 2023. Keykhosravi is among the nine Iranian lawyers and human rights defenders apprehended on August 14, 2021, during a meeting to discuss a lawsuit against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the government regarding the ban on foreign vaccines. He was sentenced to two years in prison, a one-year ban from practicing law, and a ban on media activities, with the sentence upheld on appeal. Keykhosravi was also previously detained in Evin Prison from November 19, 2022, to March 6, 2023.

6. Mohsen Haj Mohammadi: Arrested on September 18, 2023, he is charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a Public Security Police station.

7. Pouria Shokoohi Rad: Arrested on September 18, 2023, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also spent seven days in solitary confinement at a Public Security Police station.

8. Hamed Mohagheghi: Arrested on September 18, 2023, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a Public Security Police station.

9. Saman Rezaie: Arrested on September 12, 2023, he faces the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Rezaie spent 11 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A.

10. Alireza Hajian: Arrested on September 15, 2023, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also spent 12 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A.

11. Zaman (Arash) Esmaeili: Arrested on September 15, 2023, facing the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also spent 12 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A.

Notably, as per Article 217 of Iran’s Criminal Procedure Law, the case investigator is obliged to grant the defendant bail after indictment. However, these detainees have been denied this right by prison and judicial authorities.

 

Kianoosh Mahdavi Arrested in Yasuj

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Kianoosh Mahdavi, Yasuj

On Monday, September 25, Kianoosh Mahdavi was apprehended by security forces in Yasuj and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

A source with close ties to Mahdavi’s family reached out to HRANA, confirming his arrest on the evening of September 25 in Yasuj.

As of now, the reasons for Mahdavi’s arrest, the location of his detention, and the specific allegations against him remain unknown. This marks another instance of legal action against Mahdavi, who had previously been detained and faced legal proceedings due to his activism during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Arrest of Five Individuals in Zahedan Raises Concerns

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Great Mosalla of Zahedan, Nour-Ahmad Shikardag, Zahedan

Security forces in Zahedan have apprehended five individuals and subsequently transported them to an undisclosed facility, as reported by Haal Vsh.

One of the detainees has been identified as Nour-Ahmad Shikardag, aged 20.

The report suggests that military and security forces were involved in the arrest of these individuals in Zahedan.

It is worth noting that, as the anniversary of the “Bloody Friday of Zahedan” approaches, the incident when security and military forces opened fire at the prayer site in the Great Mosalla of Zahedan last year, several residents in Zahedan have been subject to arrests and summonses.

Two Inmates Executed in Mashhad for Drug-Related Crimes

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Executions, News
drug-related executions, Haal Vsh, Mashhad, Mostafa Khosh Shaneh, Saeed Brahui Makaki, Vakilabad prison

Two prisoners, found guilty of drug-related offenses, were executed at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, as reported by Haal Vsh.

The individuals have been identified as Mostafa Khosh Shaneh, 30 years old, and Saeed Brahui Makaki, 27 years old. Both were married and fathers of one and two children, respectively.

Brahui Makaki’s execution took place on Sunday, September 24, while Khosh Shaneh was executed on Monday, September 25.

According to a source, both Khosh Shaneh and Brahui Makaki were sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court approximately four and two years ago.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded 457 reports concerning the death penalty. Approximately 43% of these executions were linked to drug-related charges.

 

 

Mehrnaz Khorrami Arrested in Nowshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mehrnaz Khorrami, Nowshahr

Mehrnaz Khorrami was apprehended at her residence in Nowshahr on the 22nd of September by security forces. She was later transferred to the detention facility operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Sari.

A source with connections to her family shared with HRANA the news of Khorrami’s arrest by IRGC authorities in Nowshahr, located in Mazandaran province. Presently, the motive behind her detention and the specific charges levied against her remain undisclosed.

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Court of Appeals Upholds Verdicts Against Director and Producer of “Leila’s Brothers”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Nowruzbeigi, Leila's Brothers, Saeed Roustayi, Tehran Court of Appeals

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the verdict against the renowned filmmaker and screenwriter Saeed Roustayi and producer Javad Nowruzbeigi.

Babak Paknia, their legal representative, confirmed that Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the original verdict related to their work on the movie “Leila’s Brothers,” which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced both individuals to six months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” accompanied by additional penalties. Approximately nine days of this prison term will be served, while the remaining sentence has been suspended for a five-year period.

In addition to the prison sentence, Roustayi and Nowruzbeigi have faced various career-limiting restrictions as filmmakers, including limitations on their interactions with fellow professionals in the industry. Furthermore, they have been directed to complete a 24-hour filmmaking course at IRIB University in Qom.

This verdict has deemed the creation of the film “Leila’s Brothers” as an act of spreading propaganda against the regime, in alignment with anti-regime media.

The 2022 drama film “Leila’s Brothers” garnered significant attention, earning a place in the competition for the Palme d’Or at the prestigious 2022 Cannes Film Festival and notably winning the International Federation of Film Critics prize.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Hossein Azadi Apprehended in Tabriz

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Hossein Azadi, Tabriz

Hossein Azadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was taken into custody by security forces in Tabriz and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

The arrest occurred on Saturday, September 23rd, in Tabriz. As of now, both the charges against Azadi and his current whereabouts remain undisclosed.

Ahmad Alikhani Arrested in Khorramabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Alikhani, Iran-Iraq war, Khorramabad

Ahmad Alikhani, a resident of Khorramabad and a disabled veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, has been apprehended by security forces within the city and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to Alikhani’s family, he was detained last week, and despite the passage of several days, his family still lacks information about his current whereabouts and well-being.

This source disclosed that Alikhani, also an environmental activist, was arrested shortly after posting on social media. However, the specific charges against him are currently unknown.

Javad Heidari’s Family Members Detained in Choobindar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News

Ali Panah Heidari, Ruhollah Heidari, and Morteza Heidari, the father and two brothers of Javad Heidari (Heydari), who tragically lost his life during the 2022 nationwide protests, have been transferred to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin. Last week, they were forcefully arrested by special forces during a raid on their residence.

Fatemeh Heidari, Javad Heidary’s sister, confirmed that her father and brothers have been incarcerated in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin. She also revealed that her brother Morteza has been on a hunger strike for three days, despite his diabetes condition.

Last week, Fatemeh Heidari shared two videos on social media, exposing the use of air shooting and tear gas by special guard forces during the raid on her family’s home, which took place on the anniversary of her brother’s tragic death. Her father and brothers were arrested following a confrontation with the agents. She further stated that during the incident, some of her relatives, including a two-year-old child named Delvan (last name unknown), sustained injuries.

The charges against these detainees remain undisclosed.

On September 22, 2022, Javad Heidari, aged 36, was fatally shot by regime forces during protests in Qazvin. Since then, his family has faced multiple arrests and confrontations with the security and judicial authorities.

Jewish Iranian-American Prisoner Dies in Evin Prison Due to Lack of Timely Medical Care

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, Faramarz Javidzad, HRANA, Los Angeles

Faramarz Javidzad, a Jewish Iranian-American who was incarcerated in Evin Prison, has tragically passed away due to insufficient medical attention and a delay in his transfer to a hospital.

According to a report obtained by HRANA, Javidzad suffered from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stomach bleeding. Given his medical history and deteriorating health, it is reasonable to conclude that the delay in getting Javidzad to a hospital contributed to his untimely death.

On Sunday, September 22, he was briefly taken to the prison infirmary but was subsequently returned to the public ward without receiving the proper medical treatment he urgently needed.

A source who spoke to HRANA revealed that, despite a judge’s approval for Javidzad’s transfer to an external hospital, prison officials obstructed his medical care and delayed his transfer.

Javidzad, a 63-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was involved in real estate in Iran. His arrest occurred in February/March 2022, following a complaint filed by the institution “Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order.” After enduring three months of solitary confinement and interrogation in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was relocated to the public ward. Some of his fellow inmates had reported to HRANA about his worsening health condition during his detention.

As of now, neither prison officials nor any relevant institutions have issued a statement or announcement regarding Javidzad’s passing.