Update on Alireza Saghafi’s Condition in Kachooie Prison

Workers’ rights activist Alireza Saghafi is serving his one-year sentence in Kachooie Prison in the same ward as the prisoners of violent crimes. Despite his poor health condition, he is denied medical furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Alireza Saghafi is held in the same ward as the prisoners of violent crimes in violation of prison rules.

An informed source told HRANA that Sagahafi suffers from high blood pressure. He also suffers from backache and walks with a cane.

Despite two times requests from the prison infirmary, Saghafi has not received proper medical treatment.

Saghafi was arrested in September 2019 and sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj City on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”.

Five Inmates Arrested in Khorramabad, Shiraz, and Bandar-Abbas

On August 27 and 28, 2022, five inmates convicted of murder and drug-related crimes were executed in Khorramabad, Bandar-Abbas, and Adel-Abad Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 27, the authorities of Khorramabad Prison executed an inmate identified as Omid Ali Gravand who previously was convicted of murder.

According to Haal Vsh, on August 28, two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz. These inmates have been identified as Rahim Ghanbarzehi, 40, and an Afghan national Mojtaba Khademinejad, 37.

Haal Vsh also reported the execution of two inmates identified as Saeed Sabaki, 27, and Esmail Bargirzan, 28, in Bandar Abbas Prison. Both individuals were convicted of drug-related crimes in 2018.

These executions have not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far.

Azerbaijani Turk Activist Rahim Panahian Arrested in Tabriz

On August 28, 2022, security forces arrested Azerbaijani Turk Activist Rahim Panahian at his father’s house in Tabriz and transferred him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 28, 2022, Azerbaijani Turk Activist Rahim Panahian, age 19, was arrested in Tabriz.

The reason for this arrest, the charges, and his whereabouts are unknown so far.

Students and Reporters Arrested in Tehran Protest 

On August 27, 2022, students held a protest against compulsory military service before the Iranian Public Conscription Organization in Tehran, which led to the arrest of several students and reporters. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 27, 2022, the police arrested several students and reporters during a protest against compulsory military service.

The identity and whereabouts of these individuals are unknown so far.

The students had previously demanded a response from the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Two-year mandatory conscription for male individuals above 18 has caused a financial burden on poor families who cannot afford to buy out the conscription.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

On Sunday, August 28, 2022, at least seven protests took place in Iran.

A number of workers and personnel of Kuhdasht Municipality, Lorestan Province, gathered before the Governor’s office to ask for their demands.

In Urmia, a number of chauffeurs protested against three-month unpaid wages and other issues before the city hall.

A group of school service workers gathered before the Ministry of Education in Khuzestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Provinces to ask for equal wages.

A number of the applicants for the nationwide university entrance exam protested in Tehran against a recent enactment of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution.

A group of personnel of the petrochemical company Bonyan Tose Rastin assembled and protested at their workplace in Bandar Imam Khomeini.

A group of truck drivers held a protest at Border terminal Nordooz located in East Azerbaijan Province. These drivers have been waiting for passage permits for five days at the border crossing with Armenia.

 

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HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

On Saturday, August 27, 2022, at least four protests took place in Iran.

A number of citizens gathered before the Iranian Public Conscription Organization against two years of compulsory military service. This protest turned violent by police and several students and reporters were arrested.

In Omidiyeh County, Khuzestan Province, a number of job seekers protested against poor living conditions and unemployment before the Governor’s office.

A number of farmers of Kohgiluyeh County gathered before the Governorate building to demand their water portion from the Marun River.

In Tabriz, a group of citizens who have purchased apartments for a housing construction project held a protest in front of the Municipality building.

Imprisoned Mohammad Abolhasani Faces New Charges

Judicial authorities have indicted civil rights activist Mohammad Abolhasani on the charges of “propaganda against the regime,” and “association with anti-regime media”. Abolhasani is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 24, 2022, the Evin prosecutor’s office indicted imprisoned civil rights activist Mohammad Abolhasani. This is the second time that he faces a new legal case during incarceration.

An informed source close to Abolhasani’s family told HRANA that there is concern that this new case has been opened to deter his release.  

On June 13, 2019, security forces arrested Abolhasani. Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security”. This verdict was later reduced to 18 months. For the charge of “spreading falsehood”, he was banned from leaving the country for two years and additional punishments. 

While Abolhasani was serving his sentence, judicial authorities opened a new case against him and two other civil rights activists Arsham Rezai and Shakila Monfared. He was then sentenced to 15 months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. In April 2021, he served his sentence and was released from Evin Prison. However, he had to provide bail for the new charge. Presently, as he is approaching the end of his prison sentence, he is facing new charges again.

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi still in Detention

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi had been detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for the past 100 days. Shahabi is a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi is still in detention for the past 105 days, awaiting processing.

An informed source told HRANA that Shahabi suffers from several illnesses, but the prison officials have not provided proper medical care.

On May 12, 2022, security forces arrested Shahabi at his house in Tehran and transferred him to Evin Prison.

On June 13, Shahabi started his hunger strike in protest against his prolonged detention, which he has ended.

Teachers Union Activist Mohammad Habibi still in Detention

Teachers Union Activist Mohammad Habibi is still in temporary detention. He was arrested on April 30, 2022, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On July 31, he was relocated to the Public Ward of this prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammad Habibi, the spokesperson of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, has been in detention for three months.

An informed source told HRANA that generally, temporary detentions do not exceed three months, but the authorities have extended Habibi’s detention for the fourth month, without access to a lawyer.

On April 30, 2022, one day before the nationwide teachers’ 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.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

On Thursday, August 25, 2022, at least two protests and one labour strike took place in Iran.

The residents of Hamedan continued their protests against water shortage in front of the Mausoleum of Avicenna. During last week, they experienced repeated water supply outages.

A video circulated on social media shows the police beating a woman during the protest.

The residents of a village in Kazerun County, Fars Province, held a protest against the water disruption.

The truck drivers and truck owners, working for the mining companies, went on strike in Qorveh, Kurdistan Province. They protested against low freight fees. These drivers also face other issues such as the decrease in fuel rations and the increase in road tolls.