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Iran Protests: Mohammad Soltani Detained for over Three Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Mashhad, Mohammad Soltani

Mohammad Soltani, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, is still detained in Vakilabad prison for over three months, awaiting further legal proceedings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammad Soltani, age 27, is still detained for over three months in Vakilabad Prison.

On December 3, 2022, the intelligence agents arrested Soltani at his home in Mashhad and took him to Vakilabad Prison.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

 

Civil Rights Activist Fatemeh Sepehri Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Khamenei, Asghar Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

The Court of Appeals of Razavi Khorasan Province sentenced civil rights activist Fatemeh Sepehri to 18 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the 18-year sentence against civil rights activist Fatemeh Sepehri was upheld on appeal.

Earlier, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court Sepehri sentenced Sepehri to ten years for “collaboration with hostile foreign governments,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” This verdict has been upheld on appeal.

Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years in prison for the first charge will be enforceable.

It is worth noting that according to her brother, Asghar Sepehri, the judicial officials did not accept her lawyer’s power of attorney letter.

On September 21, 2022, security forces arrested Sepehri at her house in Mashhad and jailed her in Vakilabad Prison.

In another case, in January 2023, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced her to one year and a 20-million-tomans fine for “spreading falsehood, disturbing public opinions through social media activities and presence in media outside Iran.”

On prior occasions, as one of the signatories of a letter asking Ali Khamenei to resign, Sepehri faced other arrests and convictions.

Three Citizens Arrested in Yazd for Allegedly Violating Dress Codes

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News, Other
Etemad, religious vigilantes, Yazd

Three citizens were arrested in Yazd following a quarrel with two religious vigilantes who harassed these citizens for allegedly violating dress codes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Etemad Newspaper, three citizens were harassed and then arrested in Yazd for allegedly violating dress codes.

It is reported that the citizens were detained and their case has been handed over to judicial authorities.

These citizens reportedly were detained and the case was delivered to judicial authorities.

The Iranian regime encourages citizens to get involved in enforcing the Islamic code in public as a religious duty, which demonstrates how significant compliance with these rules is for the government.

Asa’ad Arhani Arrested in Oshnavieh

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News, Other
Asa'ad Arhani, Oshnavieh, Urmia

Security forces arrested Asa’ad Arhani, a resident of Oshnavieh, and took him to a detention facility in Urmia.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Asa’ad Arhani was arrested by security forces.
Arhani was reportedly arrested on the way back to Oshnavieh. The agents did not show any arrest warrant.

The reason for his arrest and the allegations against him are still unknown.

Two Individuals Arrested in Kelardasht for Social Media Activities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kelardasht

The chief police of Kelardasht announced the arrest of two individuals for allegedly “association with anti-regime social media groups.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Asr-Iran news outlet, two citizens were arrested in Kelardasht, Mazandaran Province.

The chief police of Kelardasht claimed, “Iranian Public Security and Intelligence Police investigated activities against national security, taking pictures and publishing in anti-regime social media groups. They succeeded in detecting two individuals associated with these groups.”

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About 550 Jailed Protestors Held in Poor Conditions in Great Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Prisoners
great tehran penitentiary, HRANA, Iran prisons

Ward 3, Type 6 of the Great Tehran Penitentiary, currently houses around 500 individuals who were arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022. This ward is overcrowded, and inmates suffer from poor living conditions, including unhealthy drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient food portions. Additionally, prison officials are not returning prisoners’ belongings upon their release, causing further distress.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, about 550 individuals arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests are held in poor conditions in Great Tehran Penitentiary.

They are held in Ward 3, Type 6, which is twice its intended capacity.
According to one family member of an inmate, “this ward has about 250 beds, and more than half of the inmates have to sleep on the floor.”
In addition to the lack of sleeping accommodations, prison officers do not provide any toiletries, and inmates must purchase these items from the overpriced prison store.
Another inmate’s family member expressed concern about the poor quality of drinking water, saying that “inmates have to purchase water from the prison store” and that “meals are also of low quality and insufficient.”

Furthermore, released prisoners are not receiving their personal belongings back, such as wristwatches and cell phones, and inquiries about these items have gone unanswered. One prisoner, who was recently released, reported this issue to HRANA.

Citizen Killed in Unrestrained Shooting by Military Forces

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News, Other
Baneh, Behzad Azizi, kolbars

On March 22, 2023, military forces shot dead Behzad Azizi, a resident of Baneh.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on March 22, 2023, a man identified as Behzad Azizi was killed in a direct shooting by military forces.

Azizi reportedly took some Kolbars to border areas in Baneh County in his vehicle. He was killed by military forces while driving back.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 845 people were shot by military forces. At least 571 of the victims lost their life. This includes 22 kolbars, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. 274 people were injured by military forces open fire, including 134 kolbars, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers.

 

Golrokh Iraee Still in Detention after Five Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amol Perison, Evin Prison, golrokh iraee, HRANA

Former political prisoner Golrokh Iraee is detained in the women’s ward of Evin Prison for over five months.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Golrokh Iraee is still in detention at Evin Prison for over 170 days.

On September 26, 2022, security forces arrested Iraee violently at her home in Tehran. They also searched the house and seized some of her belonging.

In October 2022, she was arraigned and notified of the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Iraee faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions. In the last case, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to three years and seven months, which was upheld later on appeal. Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years and one month was enforceable.
Also earlier, in April 2021, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her in absentia to one year and additional punishments for “propaganda against the regime.” She was released on Amol Perison on May 9, 2022.

 

Update on Political Prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz’s Condition

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News, Prisoners
Asal Meskinnavaz, Evin Prison, Fahraj, great tehran penitentiary, Kerman, Mehdi Meskinnavaz, Rajai Shahr Prison

Political prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz is currently serving his seven-and-a-half-year sentence at Great Tehran Penitentiary. He has recently faced a new legal case while in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz faced new charges while in prison.

An informed source told HRANA, “this new legal case is related to incidents during his incarceration in Rajai-Shahr Prison. On March 14, the court held a session addressing the charges. Meskinnavaz refused to appear at the court in protest against unfair due process.”

On January 30, 2023, Meskinnavaz was relocated from Rajai Shahr Prison to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Meanwhile, intelligence agents arrested his 17-year-old daughter, Asal Meskinnavaz. After 14 days, Meskinnavaz was transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary.

On May 5, 2019, security forces arrested Meskinnavaz in Bandar Anzali for “running a Telegram channel advocating the overthrow of the regime.”

In August 2019, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Meskinnavaz to 13 years for “assembly and collusion to act against national security, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, and Propaganda against the regime.” He was also banned from membership in political parties and groups and two-year compulsory residence in exile in Fahraj, Kerman. Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, seven years and six months in prison for one charge was enforceable.

 

Update on Mehdi Fathi’s Condition in Adelabad Prison

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Fars Province, HRANA, Kordshul, Mehdi Fathi

Teacher union activist Mehdi Fathi, imprisoned in Adelabad Prison, was denied adequate medical care and medical furlough, despite suffering from heart failure and high blood pressure.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, teacher union activist Mehdi Fathi is currently serving his sentence in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

An informed source close to his family told HRANA, “Fathi suffers from heart failure and high blood pressure. Yet, prison officials deny him adequate medical care and refuse to dispatch him to a medical furlough.”

“Recently, prison officials promised him a medical leave. However, at the last minute, for unknown reasons, they changed their minds. Also, Fathi’s access to call his family was restricted in recent weeks.”

In March 2022, the court sentenced him to 12 years in prison on the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader.” He was also sentenced to a two-year exile and banned from leaving the country for two years.

This sentence was reduced to eight years on appeal. Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years for one charge was enforceable.

On June 8, 2022, security forces arrested him to start serving his sentence in Adelabad Prison.

Fathi is a history teacher, teacher union activist, and resident of the Kordshul village, Fars Province.