Author: A MN

Ten Inmates Executed in Zahedan Prison, One in Isfahan Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
executions in iran, sfahan Prison, Zahedan Prison

On Monday, June 6, 2022, ten inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Zahedan Prison., On Sunday, June 5, 2022, an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was also executed in Isfahan Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Baloch Activists Campaign, on Sunday, June 5, 2022, the execution of an inmate identified as Mehdi Sarhadi, age 36, a resident of Zahedan, was carried out in Isfahan Prison.

According to an informed source, “the prison officials told Sarhadi that he would be pardoned if he was able to memorize one of thirty parts of the Quran. However, he was executed. He had been sent to the gallows several times and brought back, as it is done in prisons at times.”

This execution has not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far.

Haal Vsh News also reported that on Monday, June 6, ten inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Zahedan Prison. Earlier, Haal Vsh had reported that they were taken to solitary confinement to be executed.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period. 

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

 

 

Azerbaijani Turk Activists Sima Alipour and Davood Drakhshan Arrested in Tabriz

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Davood Drakhshan, Sima Alipour, Tabriz

Azerbaijani Turk Activists Sima Alipour and Davood Drakhshan were arrested in Tabriz and transferred to a detention facility.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in recent days, the Ministry of Intelligence arrested an Azerbaijani Turk Activists couple, Sima Alipour and Davood Drakhshan, in Tabriz.

The reasons for this arrest and the charges are unknown so far.

Convictions against Three Christians Upheld on Appeal

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Abbas Soori, Anoushavan Avodian, Iman Soleimani, Iranian Christians, Maryam Mohammadi

The Court of Appeals upheld a ten-year prison sentence and other convictions against Christian Citizen Anoushavan Avodian. Additionally, in this legal case, two other Christian converts, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi had been fined 50 million tomans, which all were upheld on appeal.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Article 18, the convictions against three Iranian Christians were upheld by the Court of Appeals.

In May of 2022, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Afshari, sentenced Anoushavan Avodian to 10 years in prison, paying a fine and restrictions of rights for 10 years. Two other defendants of this case, Abbas Soori and Maryam Mohammadi were fined 50 million tomans, prohibited from membership in political groups, banned from leaving the country, and residing in Tehran Province and neighboring provinces. Also, they were ordered to appear once every three weeks at the Supervision and Follow Up office of the Judiciary for two years.

The above individuals have been convicted on the charge of “organizing and running evangelical “Zionist” home church with the intention to act against national security,” and, ” owning satellite dish and receivers.”

Their Attorney Iman Soleimani told HRANA: “All arguments provided by the defense lawyer in the court have been ignored and the verdict was issued based on the judicial officers’ workflow.”

The prosecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

Update on Civil Activist Barzan Mohammadi’s Condition in Mariwan Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Barzan Mohammadi, Imprisoned Iranian Civil Activist, Mariwan Prison

Civil activist Barzam Mohammadi is currently serving his sentence in Mariwan Prison. On May 16, 2022, he went on a hunger strike in protest against his relocation to the quarantine section of the prison, which he ended last week once he was relocated back to the Public Ward.

Mohammadi was sent to the quarantine section as a punishment for his refusal to attend a religious ceremony.

On June 7, 2021, security forces arrested Barzan Mohammadi and transferred him to the Sarvabad IRGC detention center. He was then sent to Mariwan Prison. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Mariwan sentenced him to 22 months imprisonment on the charge of “offensive statement against the Supreme Leader.”

Mohammadi had previously been arrested for his activities in cyberspace during the nationwide protests in July 2018 and was sentenced to 6 years in prison, which later was reduced to three years and six months on appeal. On July 5, 2020, he was freed on early release from Evin Prison.

Hojjat Esmatzadeh Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
flogging, Hojjat Esmatzadeh, Naqadeh

Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of Naqadeh County sentenced Azerbaijani Turk activist, Hojjat Esmatzadeh to flogging and two and a half years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Hojjat Esmatzadeh, a resident of Naqadeh, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and 50 lashes.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of Naqadeh, Esmatzadeh has been sentenced to one year imprisonment and 50 lashes on the charge of “disturbing public order” and 18 months in prison for “publishing photos on the Internet.”

On November 24, 2021, Esmatzadeh was summoned to appear at the press office of the Ministry of Intelligence where he was arrested and sent to Naqadeh Prison.

Esmatzadeh has faced other arrests and summons due to his civil activities on prior occasions.

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HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Amirkabir University, AzarAb Industries Company, Eyvashan Dam, Iranian farmers protest, Khorramabad, Sanandaj City, Shushtar, Student Protest Iran, Tabriz Azar Glass Industries Company, the Islamic Azad University West Tehran, the Social Security Organization, the Sugarcane Agro-Industry Complex

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran. Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations

Saturday, May 28

A number of farmers gathered in front of the governorate building of Lorestan in Khorramabad City to demand their water portion. In recent years, drought has affected the livelihood of many farmers. Additionally, poor water supply infrastructure, officials’ water mismanagement and incompetency have exacerbated the situation.

A number of students of Payame Noor University gathered and protested before the main entrance of the university. They asked for taking exams online instead of in person. They said that the university management has not informed the students adequately and on time about the way exams will be given.

Sunday, May 29

A group of nurses working for the Social Security Organization gathered before this organization in Tehran to ask for increasing pensions as allocated for hard and hazardous jobs in accordance with labour law.

The Social Security pensioners held protests in the cities of Qazvin, Ahvaz, Sush, Tabriz, Kermanshah and Mashhad. They chanted slogans against the irresponsibility of the government towards their demands. These pensioners demanded raising their pension to stand above the poverty line, addressing the supplementary insurance issues, the end year bonuses.

 

Tuesday, May 31

A number of teachers of Sanandaj City gathered and protested in front of the Ministry of Education. They chanted, “Imprisoned teacher should be released.”

In Zanjan, a group of pensioners of the Social Security Organization protested before the Planning and Budget Organization office. They asked for increasing wages and pensions.

A number of students of Payame Noor University protested before the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology office in Tehran.

A number of the Sugarcane Agro-Industry Complex of Shushtar gathered before this company to ask for the removal of the CEO. Despite the ministry of Justice’s order for deposing the CEO due to hoarding sugar, he has not yet been removed from the office.

Personnel and faculty members of the Islamic Azad University West Tehran Branch gathered before the entrance to protest against low wages.

A group of students of the Amirkabir University of Technology gathered on campus to ask for their demands.

Wednesday, June 1

A number of farmers from Khorramabad County in Lorestan Province gathered before the County building to protest against not receiving the water portion from the Eyvashan Dam.

For the third consecutive day, pensioners of the Social Security Organization protested in Zanjan. They gathered in front of the governorate building to ask for raising pension and wages in accordance with the Labor Council enactment.

At the same time, Social Security pensioners of Gilan also held a protest before the Central Selection Board of this organization in Rasht.
Iranian Retirement Council also reported a similar protest before the Social Security Organization in Tabriz.

 

A group of retirees and working personnel of Zanjan Telecommunication Company gathered before the management office of this company to protest against not receiving the wage for last month.

The workers of the Agro-Industry Company Karoon Shushar gathered for the second consecutive day in front of the company office building.

The workers said, “Yesterday, in protest gathering, we heard nothing but hollow promises. Therefore, we had to come here again for our denied labor rights.”

Among other demands, the workers ask for the modification of job contracts from temporary to official and closing wage disparities.

A group of workers of AzarAb Industries Company held protests at factory premises for the second consecutive day. They protested against two months’ delays in payment and the suspension from work.

The members of the housing cooperative of the Zanjan University of Medical Sciences gathered before the governorate building of Zanjan Province to ask for their demands.

A group of personnel of the Ilam Telecommunication Company gathered before this company office in Ilam City to protest against unpaid wages and other livelihood issues.

Thursday, June 2

The workers of Tabriz Azar Glass Industries Company held a protest in front of the company to demand several months’ unpaid wages.

Inmate Died in Rajai Shahr Prison Due to Inadequate Medical Care

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Iranian Prisons, Javad Amir-Khani Toosi, Karaj city, Rajai Shahr Prison

On Monday, May 30, 2022, an inmate died in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj City due to inadequate medical care and delay in dispatching to the hospital.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an inmate identified as Javad Amir-Khani Toosi, age about 70, died in Rajai Shahr Prison.

According to an informed source, despite his frequent referral to the Prison health facility in recent weeks, Amir-Khani Toosi did not receive the required medical care. Forensic medicine announced blood infection as the cause of death.

Amir-Khani Toosi was convicted of murder and was in prison for 11 years.

His death has not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far.

Teacher Union Activist Majid Karimi Arrested in Sanandaj

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Teacher Union Activist, irgc, Majid Karimi, Masoud Farhikhteh, Sanandaj City

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, security forces arrested teacher union activist Majid Karimi in Sanandaj City and transferred him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, teacher union activist Majid Karimi was arrested. Reportedly, he and several others had gathered before the IRGC Intelligence Office to inquire about detained teacher union activist Masoud Farhikhteh, when several IRGC agents came out and took him to an unidentified location.

The reason for his arrest and his whereabouts are unknown so far.

Teacher Union Activist Mohammad Habibi’s Detention Extended 

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Ali Akbar Baghani, Iranian Teacher Union Activist, Jafar Ebrahimi, mohammad habibi, Rasoul Bodaghi

Mohammad Habibi’s detention was extended for a month on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, despite a previous pledge that he would be released on bail. On April 30, 2022, Habibi, who is the spokesperson of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association was arrested and detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, imprisoned teacher Mohammad Habibi’s detention was extended for one month.

According to an informed source, Habibi has been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and is currently held in one of the public cells of Ward 209 with 12 other inmates.” He was allowed to have one phone call once a week and family visitations two times. 

On April 30, 2022, one day before the nationwide teacher protests, security forces arrested  Habibi and three other members of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, Ali Akbar Baghani, Rasoul Bodaghi and Jafar Ebrahimi and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin prison, which belongs to the Ministry of Intelligence and demonstrates that the Ministry is concerned about the teachers’ assembly in Iran.

Prisoners’ Living Conditions at Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, HRANA

Prisoners who are housed in Ward 1, Type 2 in the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary are held in poor conditions, including frequent and prolonged water outages, poor sanitation, overcrowding and lack of proper air conditioning.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the inmates of the Closed Ward of the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary are held in poor living conditions.

An informed source told HRANA, “the inmates jailed in this ward face frequent and prolonged water outages. Sometimes, the water flow is completely cut off for a couple of days. Inmates are living in poor conditions and prison officials do nothing to resolve these issues.”

During the summer season, water flow for sanitation needs and cooling systems is critical.  

An informed source close to an inmate’s family told HRANA, “Ward 1, Type 2 of this prison is overcrowded. In this hot season, there is no air conditioning system.”

According to this source, the lack of air conditioning and healthy drinking water increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

Earlier, prison officials beat several political prisoners and relocated them to Ward 1. One day later, Mohammad Mehdi Haj Mohammadi, Iran’s head of Prisons Organization, confirmed this battery and the relocation on his social media page.