Author: A MN

Belgian National Arrested in Iran 

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Belgium's justice minister, Olivier Vandecasteele, Van Quickenborne

Belgium’s justice minister has confirmed the arrest of a Belgium National accused of “espionage” in Iran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Agence France-Presse (AFP), Belgium’s Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne confirmed the apprehension of a Belgian man in Iran.

Without revealing the individual’s identity, Van Quickenborne called the detention “illegal.”

Yesterday, Iran International TV Station revealed the identity of the Belgian individual as Olivier Vandecasteele, a 41-year-old aid worker who has served in various international humanitarian organizations since at least 2006.

Iran has frequently detained foreign or dual nationals for political aims such as prisoner swaps or gaining leverage in negotiations with the West.

There are serious concerns about the validity of espionage allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by Iran, which is to suppress its opponents and the ambiguities in legal proceedings and the lack of transparency.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Arshad Kazempour, Ilam Tele-communication Company, Iranian medical interns, Sungun copper mine, Valiollah Mahmoodi, Varzaqan county, Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at least ten protests and two labour strikes took place in Iran. Read our review below for details, photos, and videos from these demonstrations:

A number of medical interns of the Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences gathered on campus to demand unpaid Covid bonuses, internship wages and amenities Improvements for interns.

A number of workers of the Sungun copper mine located in Varzaqan county, East Azarbaijan went on strike and assembled at their workplace in protest against the arrest of two workers and other labour issues.

On Tuesday, July 5, two mining workers identified as Valiollah Mahmoodi and Arshad Kazempour were arrested by security forces and transferred to an unidentified location. For several months, the workers of this mining company have been protesting for their demands such as the implementation of the Job Classification plan.

 

A group of personnel of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad protested in front of the Planning and Budget Organization in Tehran. According to the protestors, their wages are disproportionately lower than other government employees. This protest led to the arrest of several protestors by security forces.

The personnel of the Ilam Tele-communication Company went on strike and gathered at company premises. They protested against the company’s new recruitment policy, whereby an applicant with more than thirty years of work experience will not be prioritized anymore.

 

A group of workers on the Shafarud Dam in Rezvanshahr gathered in front of the Governor’s office to demand their seven-month unpaid wages.
In Kermanshah, the pensioners of the Social Security Organization gathered before the Pension Fund office and then demonstrated in the streets. Similar protests took place in Bandar Abbas, Dorud and Mazandaran Province.

A number of members of the housing cooperation of the Zanjan University of Medical Sciences held a protest in front of the Ministry of Labour in Zanjan to protest against the member board’s violation of the regulation.

Sunni prisoner Fereidoun Zakeri Nasab Went on Hunger Strike in Rajai Shahr Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Fereidoun Zakeri Nasab, Kermanshah province, Rajai Shahr Prison, ran’s Sunni community, Sarpol-e Zahab

Fereidoun Zakeri Nasab is on the third day of his hunger strike in Rajai Shahr Prison in protest against the Tehran Prosecutor-General’s insulting statements against Sunni prisoners.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 4, 2022, Sunni prisoner, Fereidoun Zakeri Nasab went on hunger strike.  

An informed source confirmed Zakeri Nasab’s hunger strike to HRANA.

Last Thursday, the Prosecutor-General of Tehran Ali Salehi made a visit to Rajai Shahr Prison. During the conversation with Sunni prisoners, he used insulting statements against the prisoners and Iran’s Sunni community. In protest, three Sunni prisoners, including Fereidoun Zakeri Nasab went on a hunger strike.

Also in May of this year, Zakeri Nasab started a hunger strike to protest against infringement in due process, which he later ended after receiving word from the authorities that the conditions would improve.

In 2017, Zakeri Nasab was arrested and sentenced to death on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth”. This verdict was revoked by the Supreme Court of Iran and he is currently facing the charge of “assisting in the armed assault”. 

Zakeri Nasab is a resident of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah Province.  

In Iran’s prisons, hunger strikes are common among prisoners despite their physical and mental impairments. Hunger strikes are used as a last resort for protesting unlawful detention without trials, violations of prisoners’ rights and infringement on due process.

Four Individuals Arrested in Kermanshah for Spreading Falsehood 

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Kermanshah, Shahram Karami, spreading falsehood

Shahram Karami, the prosecutor-general of Kermanshah Province, announced the arrest of four individuals by security forces for “association with foreign media and spreading falsehood.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Javan Online, four individuals were arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence in Kermanshah Province.

Without revealing the identities of the individuals, Karami claimed that they were arrested after publishing pictures of an Iranian rape victim in Iraq, in association with anti-regime networks and media abroad.

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi on Hunger Strike for over 20 Days

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi is detained for over  50 days in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Since June 13, 2022, Shahabi has been on hunger strike to protest his prolonged detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, despite Shahabi’s poor health, he is on hunger strike. 

An informed source close to Shahabi’s family told HRANA that he is on hunger strike and is suffering, yet his family is not granted a visitation. 

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, security forces arrested Shahabi at his house in Tehran.

Shahabi is a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company.

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HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Bandar-Abbas, fuel portion cuts, Ilam province, Iranian pensioners, Shushter, Social Security Organization, Zarneh

On Monday, July 4, 2022, three protests and one labour strike took place in Iran.

In Dorud and Shushter, the pensioners of the Social Security Organization continued their protests against the insufficient annual pension increase. They chanted, ” They are lying that our enemy is America, our enemy is right here,” and “our wage in Rial, cost of living in Dollar.”

A group of minibus drivers in Bandar Abbas gathered in front of the governor-general building to protest against the recent decrease in fuel portions and crowded gas stations.

Last Sunday, the employees of the municipality of Zarneh, Ilam Province, went on strike to demand their unpaid wages and benefits.

Detained Student Ronak Rezai Transferred to Sepidar Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Students
ahvaz, Allameh Tabatabai University, Farzaneh Zilabi, Ronak Rezai, Sepidar Prison

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, after one month in detention, Ronak Rezai was transferred from an IRGC detention facility to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Ronak Rezai is a resident of Abadan and a graduate student at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in a phone call to her family, Rezai informed about her relocation from an IRGC detention facility to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Currently, she is held in a quarantine section.

Rezai’s  lawyer, Farzaneh Zilabi, said that she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.” Rezai’s attorney has also stated that so far, she doesn’t have access to her client’s documents.

In early June, security forces arrested Rezai, which may be related to the recent protests following Abadan’s Metropol building collapse.

Numerous activists have asked for Rezai’s release.

On May 23, 2022, a 10-story building which was known as Metropol collapsed in the city of Abadan in Khuzestan Province. Over 30 individuals were killed, injured or trapped in the rubble. Following the collapse, hundreds of citizens in Abadan and several other cities demonstrated against the government and its failure to impose safety standards on the construction which led to the disaster.

Karim Pezeshki and Saeed Rashidi in Pre-trial Detention

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Karim Pezeshki, Kurdistan Province, Saeed Rashidi

Karim Pezeshki and Saeed Rashidi, residents of Baneh, Kurdistan Province, are still in pre-trial detention after more than eight months since their arrest.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Karim Pezeshki and Saeed Rashidi have been unlawfully kept in detention.

“They have been allowed to have a family visit and make phone calls. However, security and judicial authorities refuse to grant bail for a temporary release or an attorney,” an informed source told HRANA.

On November 11, 2021, security forces arrested nine people in Baneh, including Pezeshki and Rashidi. Intelligence agents used violence during the arrest, searched their houses and confiscated some of their personal belongings. 

Revolutionary Court Orders the Seizure of Singer’s House

Posted on by A MN
Cultural, News
Hassan Shamaizadeh, Iranian pop singer, revolutionary court

Recently, the Revolutionary Court ordered the confiscation of Iranian pop singer Hassan Shamaizadeh’s House in Tehran. The court cited “obtained by illegitimate means” as the reason.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, singer Hassan Shamaizadeh stated on social media that his house in Iran has been seized by the order of the Revolutionary Court.

The Revolutionary Court argues that the house can be confiscated because it was bought through singing, which is considered to be illegitimate according to Sharia law.

Pictures circulated on social media showing the house is demolished.

Shamaizadeh had warned last month about the authorities’ plan to take over this property, pleading with the public for help.

Hassan Shamaizadeh, age 79, is a famous Iranian pop singer and songwriter who fled Iran to the US after the Revolution in 1979. The practice of seizing personal property has been the regime’s common practice.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Abadan, ahvaz, Dezful, Hamedan, Iranian pensioners, Isfahan, Karaj, Kerman, Khorramabad, Melli Bank, Melli Bank robbery, Sari, Shush, Shushtar, zanjan

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, fourteen protests took place in Iran. Read our review below for details, photos, and videos from these demonstrations:

Continuing their protests against the insufficient annual pension increase, the pensioners rallied in Shushtar, Shush, Zanjan, Isfahan, Sari, Dezful, Karaj, Ahvaz, Abadan, Khorramabad, Hamedan and Kerman. They chanted slogans against the government and called the president a liar for failing to keep his promises. In Arak, the protest turned violent by security forces.

A number of citizens, who have lost their money in the recent robbery of Iran Safe Deposit Boxes of Melli Bank, protested in front of the central building of the Judiciary in Tehran. They demanded the return of their stolen money.

On June 6, 2022, dozens of safe deposit boxes from Melli Bank were stolen by some burglars. One day after, a protest took place, which turned violent by security forces. According to some witnesses, the police and security agents used live ammunition against the protestors.