Taregh Azizi Arrested by Security Forces in Nikshahr

On the evening of Friday, September 17, Taregh Azizi from Nikshahr was arrested by security forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting RASANK, after his arrest, Azizi was transferred to an unknown location.

According to this report, Mr. Azizi is said to have been summoned several times by the IRGC intelligence of the Shahid Memar base in Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, previously.

At the time of writing, no information is available on the reasons for Azizi’s detention or the charges against him.

Amin Hassanpour Violently Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

On Thursday, September 16, 22-year-old Amin Hassanpour from Urmia was violently arrested by security forces without a court order.

According to the HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, Hassanpour was transferred to an unknown location following his arrest, during which he was reportedly beaten.

As of this writing, no information is available on the reasons for Hassanpour’s arrest or the charges against him.

Citizen Detained by Security Forces in Nikshahr

On Tuesday, September 14, a citizen was arrested by security forces in Nikshahr.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting RASANK, after the arrest the citizen was taken to an unknown location.

According to this report, the identity of this citizen is Niaz Mollazehi. Mollazehi is a resident of the village of Mahban in the city of Nikshahr.

No information is available on the reasons for detention, the charges, and the detainee’s whereabouts at the time of writing.

Rapper Known for his Protest Songs Arrested in Isfahan

On Monday, September 13, Toomaj Salehi, a rapper known for his protest songs, was arrested by security forces at his home in Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 12 security forces came to the artist’s house in 4 cars, searched his house during his arrest, and confiscated a number of his belongings.

Mr. Salehi had previously warned on his Twitter account that he might be arrested.

As of this writing, no information is available on the charges against him or where he is being held.

Six Afghans Sentenced to Death in Tehran

Six men were recently sentenced to death on charges of rape by Branch 7 of the First Criminal Court in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna, these men are citizens of Afghanistan.

In addition to the death penalty, two men were sentenced to seven years in prison for stealing the victim’s cell phone.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death. According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

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Soran Sharifi Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

Branch 101 of the Bukan Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Peyman Rostami, recently sentenced Soran Sharifi to seven years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Sharifi received the sentence after being charged with “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in an opposition party”.

Mr. Sharifi was arrested in late May of this year by intelligence agents in Bukan was been released on bail in July.

According to the report, quoting an informed source, Mr. Sharifi owns the Hakim Clinic in Bukan, and the court has also ordered a two year closure of the clinic.

 

Farshid Rakshani Rad Executed in Birjand Prison in South Khorasan Province

On Wednesday, September 15, Farshid Rakhshani Rad was executed in Birjand Prison in South Khorasan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting The Baloch Activists Campaign, Mr. Rakhshani Rad had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges. He was from Mashhad.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed. One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders.

An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death. According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

As of this writing, the execution of Mr. Rakhshani Rad has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources.

Ali Zolfi Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison

Ali Zolfi, a native of Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province, was sentenced to imprisonment by the court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Zolfi received a sentence of 4 months and 9 days.

According to this report, in July of this year, Branch 2 of the Bukan Criminal Court, headed by Judge Peyman Rostami, sentenced Mr. Zolfion a charge of “propaganda against the regime”.

Ali Zolfi was arrested by security forces in January 2021 and was released on bail of 200 million Tomans in late February after interrogations.

The citizen is said to have been denied telephone calls, family visits, and access to a lawyer during his detention.

Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi and Mehdi Mahmoudian Transferred to General Ward of Evin Prison on 31st Day of Detention

On Wednesday, September 15, lawyers Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, and Mehdi Mahmoudian were transferred from solitary confinement in Ward 241 of Evin Prison to the general ward of the prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, these citizens announced their transfer to the public ward of Evin Prison during a telephone call with their families.

Despite the issuance of indictment and designation of a court branch, the detainees were still kept in solitary confinement in Ward 241 of Evin Prison under the supervision of the intelligence service section of the judiciary for an entire month. Mostafa Nili has only been allowed to make phone calls twice since his arrest.

On August 14, several lawyers and civil activists, including Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Maryam Afrafraz, and Leila Heydari, were arrested during a meeting at the office of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights in Tehran.

Leila Heydari and Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb were released on bail a day after their arrest, and Mohammad Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz were released on bail on August 29, but Nili, Kaykhrosravi, and Mahmoudian had remained in detention.

Apart from being allowed to contact their families on the first day of their detention, these citizens have been largely denied the right to make telephone calls.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Farzaneh Zilabi, Defense Lawyer for the Haft Tappeh Workers’ Case, to One Year in Prison

Farzaneh Zilabi, the defense lawyer for the Haft Tappeh workers’ case, was sentenced by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to one year in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting EMTEDAD, in addition to the prison sentence, Zilabi has received a two year ban from leaving the country.

Nasser Zarafshan, Farzaneh Zilabi’s lawyer, commented on the sentence.

“Regarding the charges against my client,” Zarafshan said, “‘gathering and collusion’, ‘spreading lies’, and ‘insulting the leadership’ were acquitted by the Revolutionary Court but she is sentenced to one-year imprisonment and two years ban on leaving the country on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime’. This is the verdict issued against my client in the primary court.”

Zarafshan added, “The previous order on Ms. Zilabi’s six-month ban from practicing law has apparently been dropped.”

On May 16 of this year, after Farzaneh Zilabi’s interrogation session in the Ahvaz court, Nasser Zarafshan stated that “Besides issuing a bail, the case investigator has issued a six-month ban from practicing law for Ms. Zilabi” and had mentioned that his client, Ms. Zilabi, is “paying for the defending the Haft Tappeh workers”.