Donya Hosseini Detained by Security Forces in Tehran

On August 12, 2023, Donya Hosseini, also known as Azad, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently transported to an undisclosed facility.

A reliable source within her family, speaking to HRANA, confirmed the involvement of security forces in her apprehension. Presently, the specific reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, and the exact location of her confinement remain undisclosed.

Hosseini, aged 34, was arrested for her activism during the nationwide protests in October-November 2022 and released from Evin Prison after a period of time.

Wrestling Coach and Referee Masoumeh Soleimani Receives One-Year Prison Sentence

Khorramabad Criminal Court has handed down a one-year prison sentence to Masoumeh Soleimani, a wrestling coach and referee, according to a report from Kolbar News.

Presiding judge Mostafa Sohrabi found Soleimani guilty of “inciting violence through the Internet.”

The presiding judge, Mostafa Sohrabi, found Soleimani guilty of “inciting violence through online platforms.”

Soleimani’s arrest occurred on May 10, 2023, in Khorramabad by security forces. After spending four days in detention at an IRGC facility, she was subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Soleimani has a history of arrests linked to her activist involvement.

 

Woman Arrested in Sabzevar After Confrontation Over Hijab

Shakiba Yazdani, a 35-year-old resident of Sabzevar, was apprehended and subsequently incarcerated on Monday evening, August 7, following a dispute with a religious vigilante who confronted her about her hijab.

According to a source connected to the citizen’s family, the incident unfolded when an individual, invoking the religious duty of ‘enjoining good’, confronted Yazdani regarding her attire. Both parties attempted to record the encounter. Subsequently, after a span of two weeks, a group of ten intelligence agents affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accompanied by the previously mentioned individual, who was a retired IRGC member, detained Yazdani and transferred her to the Sabzevar security police detention center.

The source also revealed that despite being hospitalized for a heart condition, Yazdani was not granted sufficient medical attention, as security personnel hindered her from receiving necessary care and subsequently returned her to the detention facility. On Tuesday, she was transferred to Sabzevar Prison.

As of now, the specific charges against Yazdani remain undisclosed.

 

Kermanshah Resident Vahid Sorkh Gol Apprehended

On August 9, 2023, Vahid Sorkh Gol was apprehended in Kermanshah and transferred to an undisclosed location after his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Court.

According to a source with close ties to his family, the exact location where he is being held remains undisclosed.

Some time ago, Sorkh Gol received a summons to appear at the Kermanshah courthouse, for facing the charges of “spreading anti-regime propaganda” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Each Sentenced to One-Year Prison Terms

Tehran, August 9, 2023: In a recent development, Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, both students at Allameh Tabataba’i University, have been each handed a one-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Emtedad News.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari conveyed the verdict to the students, indicating that they have been found guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” This decision was reached during a court session held on July 10, 2023.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. As a consequence, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

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Iranian-American Woman Held in Detention on Alleged Espionage Charges

An Iranian-American woman has been taken into custody under allegations of “espionage,” as reported by Khorasan Newspaper.

Withholding details about her identity and the specific facility of her detainment, Khorasan stated: “In recent weeks, this individual has been arrested, with a history of involvement in NGOs within Afghanistan.”

Several other Iranian-American dual citizens, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and Shahab Dalili, are presently incarcerated in Iran. According to Khorasan, diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are underway for their potential release.

While the legal pursuit of individuals for espionage isn’t inherently considered a human rights violation, concerns arise regarding the credibility of these allegations. The Iranian regime frequently employs such charges to quell political dissidents, and the lack of transparency in legal proceedings raises further doubts about the legitimacy of these cases.

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Sentenced to Combined Nine Years, Eight Months in Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a combined sentence of nine years and eight months to Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi, both residents of Tehran.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari informed Erfan Karam-Veisi about the verdict against his clients. Ebrahimi received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Ahmadi was sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, Ebrahimi’s four-year term will be enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal.

These individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Mohammad Sultani Arrested by Security Forces in Arak

On August 5, 2023, Mohammad Sultani (Soltani) was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Arak and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source, speaking to HRANA, the agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his belongings during the arrest.

As of now, the specific reasons behind his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges brought against him remain undisclosed. The situation is being monitored, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Soraya Rezaie Mahvar Arrested for Criticizing Compulsory Hijab

On August 1, Soraya Rezaie Mahvar, the Business Development Manager at Myket Company, an Iranian Android app store, was arrested by security forces after posting criticisms of the compulsory Hijab on social media.

A media channel with close ties to security institutions published the video footage of Rezaie Mahvar’s arrest, as well as some of her tweets. However, the report did not disclose the specific reasons behind her arrest or the location of her detention.

This arrest serves as a poignant example of the Iranian regime’s escalating legal measures to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on women in recent months. Concerns over the protection of individual rights and freedom of expression continue to mount as such cases emerge.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Nowshahr County

On August 2, 2023, Meisam Gholami, a former political prisoner and one of the detainees of the nationwide protests in 2022, was arrested along with his friend Mehdi Seifi by security forces in Nowshahr County. Both individuals were taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source close to one of the families, who spoke to HRANA, Meisam Gholami was arrested at his workplace in Nowshahr County, and shortly after, Mehdi Seifi was also detained. Their mobile phones and some personal belongings were confiscated by the agents.

Meisam Gholami’s initial arrest took place on October 1, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Kabudarahang, Hamedan Province. He spent 14 days in detention before being released on bail from Alvand Prison in Hamedan. The trial session addressing his charges was held on February 15, 2023, at the Revolutionary Court of Kabudarahang County.

Meisam Gholami, 37 years old, has a history of previous detentions and imprisonments due to his activist activities.