Category: Freedom of Expression

Report Highlights 129 Instances of Security and Judicial Encounters with Attorneys in the Last Ten Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Attorneys at Law, Hamidreza Mohammadi, Hassan Saffadoust, HRANA, Iran Bar Association, Mohammad Shiwayi, Vokalapress

HRANA News Agency – Since the inception of the 2022 nationwide protests, a significant number of attorneys in Iran have faced numerous encounters with the judicial and security authorities, including arrests and summons. This report includes a list of these detained or summoned lawyers.

According to HRANA, the news agency of human rights activists in Iran, 129 attorneys have been subject to various judicial encounters, such as arrests and summonses, due to reasons ranging from practicing their profession to expressing opinions on social media.

HRANA has verified the names of forty-three lawyers who have been summoned to court. Although the reasons behind many of these summonses remain unclear, reports and documents received by HRANA indicate that they are likely linked to incidents regarding the 2022 nationwide protests or the lawyers’ expressions of opinions on social media. In the past two months, most of the summonses issued by judicial authorities have been communicated to the attorneys, as reported by HRANA.

A judiciary attorney, whose name is confidential at HRANA, revealed, “Some of the lawyers summoned to Evin court have been compelled to sign a letter of commitment entitled ‘the necessity to adhere to the law and the principles of the regime.'” These commitments bear resemblance to a letter of commitment presented to some of those arrested during the nationwide protests as a condition for receiving a pardon.

Furthermore, fifty-five judiciary attorneys across the country have been arrested and faced legal action since the onset of the nationwide protests. It is important to note that the majority of these lawyers have been temporarily released on bail pending the conclusion of legal proceedings. Additionally, a number of these legal cases have been closed under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

In a recent statement, Mohammad Shiwayi, the Secretary of the Support Commission of the Central Bar Association, disclosed that approximately 70 attorneys have been summoned to Tehran’s security court. The identities of 43 out of a total of 70 summoned attorneys have been confirmed by HRANA and are included in the list. HRANA is currently reviewing the identities of the remaining 27 attorneys.

Speaking with Vokalapress, Shiwayi clarified, “Since May 8, 2023, some judiciary attorneys have received summonses from Tehran’s security court, primarily from Branch 7 of Evin (Shahid Moghaddas) Security Courthouse. However, these summonses do not specify any allegations or reasons.”

“During a meeting with Hassan Saffadoust, head of the Central Bar Association, and Hamidreza Mohammadi, the head of the public relations of this association, we decided to take action to protect the legal rights of attorneys across the country, with a particular focus on its members,” Shiwayi added.

Verified names of summoned attorneys from across the country:

1. Mohammad Hossein Aghasi – summoned in two stages in February-March 2023 and May 20, 2023 – Tehran (Evin court) – Reason for summons: Unclear (probably due to expression of opinion)
2. Ramin Safarnia – summoned on December 22, 2022 – Bushehr – Reason for summons: Representing the case of his client Mahmoud Molaki, a trade activist
3. Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani – summoned on May 23, 2023– Tehran (Evin court) – Reason: Unclear (probably due to expression of opinion)
4. Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasab – summoned on February 28, 2023 – Tehran (Evin court) – Reason for summons: Unclear (probably due to expression of opinion)
5. Mohammad Seifzadeh – summoned on April 29, 2023 – Tehran (Evin court) – Reason for summons: Writing a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations
6. Ehsan Haqi – Summoned on unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
7. Hassan Younesi – Summoned on May 23, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
8. Mohammad Ali Kamfirouzi – Summoned on unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
9. Amin Adel Ahmadian – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
10. Mohammad Hadi Jafarpour – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
11. Samin Charaghi – Summoned on May 21, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
12. Sara Hamzehzadeh – Summoned on May 24, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
13. Mahmoud Sadeghi – Summoned on May 23, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
14. Farzaneh Zilabi – Summoned for June 6, 2023 – Ahvaz – Reason for Summons: Posting contents online
15. Tootia Partovi Amoli – Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
16. Yashar Kazemi – Summoned on May 20, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
17. Shayan Zadegan – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
18. Forough Sheikh al-Islami – Summoned on May 24, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
19. Amirhossein Ghafarian – Summoned on May 21, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
20. Mohammad Lavasani – Summoned on May 24, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
21. Abolfazl Hamzeh – Summoned on May 20, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
22. Marjan Esfahanian – Summoned on May 23, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for Summons: Unknown (Presumably due to expressing opinion)
23. Marzieh Mohebi – Summoned on February 27, 2023 – Khorasan Razavi – Reason for Summons: Handling in the special court under Article 49 of the Constitution
24. Alireza Seyed Aghayi- Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse)-Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
25. Rezvan Abbasi Farajzadeh-Summoned on May 21, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse)-Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
26. Mohammad-Reza Fard Parsa-Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse)-Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
27. Parisa Ghasemi -Summoned on May 1, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse)-Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
28. Mitra Izadifar- Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse)-Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
29. Mehdi Karimi Farsi – Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
30. Mohsen Borhani- Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Clergy Court) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
31. Elham Ayoubi – Summoned on April 30, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Accused of propaganda against the regime
32. Elnaz Moqimi – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
33. Mostafa Shabani – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
34. Mehran Heidari – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
35. Majid Sabouri – Summoned on May 22, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
36. Saeed Sheikh – Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
37. Abouzar Nasrallah – Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
38. Ali Mojtehedzadeh – Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
39. Reza Heidari – Summoned on May 30, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
40. Mahboubeh Joudaki – Summoned on May 30, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
41. Leila Ghasemi Pashaki – Summoned on June 1, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
42. Bahareh Fesharki – Summoned on an unknown date – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)
43. Zahra Mirbik Darvishond – Summoned on May 21, 2023 – Tehran (Evin Courthouse) – Reason for summoning: Unknown (Possibly due to expressing opinions)

Names of lawyers arrested since the inception of the 2022 nationwide protests:

1. Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani – January 8, 2023 – Tehran – Last status: Free on bail
2. Saideh Mirghorbani – December 3, 2022 – Babolsar – Last status: In detention
3. Fereshteh Tabanian – February 20, 2023 – Ahvaz – Last status: Free on bail
4. Hassan Younesi – February 20, 2023- Tehran – Last status: Free
5. Mostafa Nili – February 20, 2023 – Tehran – Last status: Free
6. Negin Kiani – October 23, 2022- Tabriz – Last status: Free and fined
7. Saeid Ataei Kachuei -October 8, 2022- Alborz – Last status: In detention
8. Oveis Hamed Tavasoli -November 16, 2022- Tehran – Last status: Free
9. Arash Keykhsorui -November 19, 2022- Tehran – Last status: Free
10. Maryam Arvin -November 30, 2022- Sirjan – Last status: Case closed (deceased)
11. Sina Yousefi -October 15, 2022 – Tabriz – Last status: Free on bail and sentenced to prison and a fine
12. Ghasem Badi -October 15, 2022 – Tabriz – Last status: Free
13. Mohammad Ali Kamfirouzi -December 15, 2022- Tehran – Last status: Free on bail
14. Hassan Asadi Zeydabadi – November 16, 2022- Tehran – Last status: Free
15. Saeid Sheikh -October 12, 2022- Tehran – Last status: Free on bail
16. Amin Adel Ahmadian – October 25, 2022- Last status: Free on bail
17. Nazanin Salari -November 1, 2022- Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
18. Bahar Sahraeiyan – November 1, 2022- Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
19. Mahmoud Taravat Rooi -November 1, 2022 – Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
20. Behzad Hakimizadeh – 19th Dey 1401 – Sanandaj – Last status: Free on bail
21. Mohammad Reza Faghihi -October 12, 2022- Tehran – Last status: Free on bail
22. Ghodsiyeh Ghodsbin -November 2, 2022 – Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
23. Ali Reza Zare -November 2, 2022 – Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
24. Mehdi Safari – November 2, 2022 – Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
25. Mohammad Hadi Jafarpour – November 2, 2022 – Shiraz – Last status: Free on bail
26. Sara Hamzehzadeh – December 2022-January 2023- Shahrood – Last status: Free with a guarantor
27. Farzaneh Zilabi -February 14, 2023- Ahvaz – Last status: Free with a guar
28. Babak Paknia –September 25, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Released on bail
29. Mahsa Gholamali – September 24, 2022 (Persian Calendar) – Tehran – Last status: Free
30. Amir Mehdi Pour -October 17, 2022– Tabriz – Last status: Released on bail
31. Hussein Rezai – October 18, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Free
32. Astarah (Maryam) Ansari -November 2, 2022 – Shiraz – Last status: Released on bail
33. Parisa Qasemi –October 9, 2022– Last status: Free
34. Asghar Mohammadi – Unknown date– Tabriz – Last status: Free
35. Reza Hamzeh I –November 20, 2022– Qazvin – Last status: Free
36. Milad Panahi Pour –September 24, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Released on bail
37. Saeed Jalilian –September 24, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Released on bail
38. Golaleh Vatan Doost –October 4, 2022– Sanandaj – Last status: Free
39. Amir Dehqani –October 8, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Released on bail
40. Reza Etemad Ansari –October 8, 2022– Isfahan – Last status: Released on bail
41. Zahra (Firoozeh) Khordadchi –October 8, 2022– Isfahan – Last status: Released on bail
42. Ruhollah Mohammadrezaei –September 30, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Released on bail
43. Mohammad Arman –February-March 2023 – Arak – Last status: Unknown
44. Fariba Tavakoli –January-February 2023 – Tehran – Last status: Released with a guarantor
45. Hadi Razavi –November-December 2022 – Mashhad – Last status: Free
46. Farzaneh Akbarian – November-December 2022 – Fars, Yasuj – Last status: Released on bail
47. Mohammad Taheran Pour – Unknown date– Tehran – Last status: Unknown
48. Zahra Nazari –November 21, 2022– Sari – Last status: Released on bail
49. Maryam Sadrnia –December 8, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Released on bail
50. Hussein Bayat – Unknown date – Tehran – Last status: Free
51. Ibrahim Sabety – December 2022, January 2023– Qazvin – Last status: Free
52. Amirafshar Najafi – January-February 2023 – Qazvin – Last status: Free
53. Qahraman Karimi –October 30, 2022– Kermanshah – Last status: Released on bail
54. Hussein Rezai -October 18, 2022– Tehran – Last status: Unknown
55. Mohammad Rezai – Unknown date– Tehran – Last status: Unknown

 

For further inquiries please contact Skylar Thompson, the Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) at [email protected]

 

Iranian Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence of Mohammad Ghobadloo

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Amir Raisian, Mohammad Ghobadloo, Mohammad Ghobadlou, Supreme Court of Iran, Tehran

The death sentence of Mohammad Ghobadloo has been upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court, his lawyer confirms.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Didban Iran news outlet, the Iranian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Mohammad Ghobadloo, who was arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadloo is facing two separate legal cases, both of which have resulted in a death sentence issued by the Revolutionary Court and Criminal Court. Ghobadloo’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, confirmed the news, stating, “Our request for a retrial regarding the death sentence issued by the Revolutionary Court is still ongoing, and the Supreme Court has not yet made a decision. However, the request for a retrial regarding the death sentence (Qisas) in the Criminal Court has been denied by the Supreme Court.”

In late January 2023, the public relations department of the Supreme Court announced that Mohammad Ghobadloo’s death sentence would be temporarily suspended following a request from his lawyer.

Initially, Ghobadloo was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, for charges including “spreading corruption on earth through crimes against the physical integrity of people.” Additional charges against him include “destruction of public property” and “acting against national security by causing unrest.”

On December 10, 2022, the Tehran Criminal Court also held a trial against Ghobadloo and subsequently sentenced him to death.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Iranian Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Protestor Javad Roohi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Roohi, moharebeh, Nowshahr, Sari Revolutionary Court

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency – the Iranian Supreme Court has overturned the three execution sentences and other punishments previously imposed on Javad Roohi, who was arrested during nationwide protests in Nowshahr.

Roohi’s lawyer, Majid Kaveh, confirmed that Branch 9 of the Iranian Supreme Court responded to Roohi’s request for a retrial and annulled the verdict issued by the Sari Revolutionary Court. The case has now been referred to another court branch for further review.

Back in January 2023, Roohi was handed three death sentences on charges including “spreading corruption on earth,” “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” for burning the Quran, blasphemy, arson and destruction of property, as well as “insulting people to unrest and assembly and collusion against national security.”

One of the main accusations against Roohi was setting fire to a traffic police station using a Molotov cocktail in Nowshahr. The judge further alleged that he played a leading role in the “unrest” and considered his participation in street dancing during the protests as a criminal act. Roohi has vehemently denied all these accusations. Despite presenting a strong defense, the court dismissed Roohi’s arguments as “pointless” and sentenced him to death.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Former Political Prisoner Mahboobeh Rezaie Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Borazjan, Bushehr, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Shiraz

On May 22, 2023, Mahboobeh Rezaie, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces and transported to an undisclosed location.

on Monday, May 22, a team of four male and two female intelligence agents raided Rezaie’s father’s residence, taking her into custody. The exact whereabouts of Rezaie remain unknown, and her family’s inquiries have yet to receive a response.
The motives behind Rezaie’s arrest and the specific charges against her are currently undisclosed.

Rezaie, a resident of Borazjan, Bushehr Provnce. It is worth noting that this is not the first time that she is facing arrest and conviction due to her activism. In June 2022, she was released early from Adelabad prison in Shiraz.

Lack of Information on Condition of Four Political Prisoners after Ten Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hajir Faramarzi, Hazhir Faramarzi, HRANA, Komalah, Mohsen Mazloum, Perjman Fatehi, Pezhman Fatehi, Sumay-ye Beradust, Urmia, Vafar Azarbar

The families and the lawyer of Mohsen Mazloum, Pezhman (Pejman) Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hazhir (Hajir) Faramarzi remain uninformed about the well-being and legal status of these political prisoners, causing growing concern.

On July 23, 2022, Iran Police Intelligence (FARAJA) arrested them in the Sumay-ye Beradust District of Urmia County.

Despite repeated inquiries from families and lawyers, the whereabouts of these individuals and the specific charges against them remain unknown. Families have sought answers from various prisoners and judicial authorities in Kurdistan, Isfahan, and Tehran, but have faced threats, disrespect, and coerced confessions broadcasted on Iran state TV instead.

Security-institution-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, reported the arrest of “a network of Israeli spies,” referring to these individuals. Tasnim also claimed that they possessed operational and communication equipment, as well as explosive materials, and had crossed into the country from the Kurdistan region with the intention of carrying out unprecedented terrorist operations in secure-sensitive locations.

Approximately 80 days after their arrest, Iran’s state TV aired their coerced confessions, accusing them of spying for foreign intelligence and stating that they had been apprehended in sensitive sites in Isfahan.

In response, Komalah (CPI-a Kurdish oppositional political party) issued a statement denying all these allegations and warned about intelligence institutions’ conspiring against detainees who have been accused of being members of the party.

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Lawyer Farzaneh Zilabi Receives Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Farzaneh Zilabi, Haft Tappeh, Mandanda Sadeghi, Mehrnoosh Tafian, Ronak Rezaie

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-The Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced attorney Farzaneh Zilabi to one year and six months in prison.

According to the verdict, Zilabi received one year for the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and six months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” The court session, held on April 17, 2023, addressed these charges along with two other charges of “membership in anti-regime groups” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

It should be noted that Zilabi is also facing the charge of “spreading falsehood” in another ongoing legal case.

Zilabi has been a legal representative for the Syndicate of Workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company and has represented several recently arrested individuals, including media activist Mehrnoosh Tafian, journalist Mandanda Sadeghi, and student activist Ronak Rezaie. Zilabi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

 

Eight Workers’ Rights Activists Detained in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Abdollah Kheirabadi, Eghbal Pishkari, Habibollah Karimi, Hajar Saeedi, Hayat Mahmoodi, Kamal Karimi, Sanandaj, Shadman Abdi, Sirvan Mahmoodi

Eight workers’ rights activists were apprehended on May 17, 2023, by intelligence agents in Sanandaj and transported to a local detention facility.

The activists who were arrested are Hajar Saeedi, Abdollah Kheirabadi, Shadman Abdi, Kamal Karimi, Khabat Mahmoodi, Sirvan Mahmoodi, Eghbal Pishkari, and Habibollah Karimi.

The arrests took place at the residence of the father of Hooman Abdollahi who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.
The specific reasons for these arrests and the allegations against the activists are currently undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Hajar Saeedi has previously been subjected to detention for her activism.

 

Two Citizens Arrested by Intelligence Agents in Fanuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolsattar Raisi, Fanuj, Nima Javadifar, Sistan and Baluchestan

On May 14, 2023, intelligence agents apprehended Abdolsattar Raisi and Nima Javadifar in Fanuj, taking them to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, citing Haal Vsh, Abdolsattar Raisi (19) and Nima Javadifar (19) were reportedly arrested in Fanuj, Sistan and Baluchestan province on May 14, 2023.

Sources indicate that these individuals were taken into custody at their residences, and their families’ inquiries regarding their whereabouts and conditions remain unanswered. The reasons behind their arrests and allegations against them remain unknown.

Hadi Cheraghi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Hadi Cheraghi, Mahsa Amini, Tehran

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Hadi Cheraghi has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Cheraghi was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Tehran by security forces and subsequently held in Great Tehran Penitentiary following the interrogation.

Judge Iman Afshari, overseeing the case, handed down a three-year sentence to Cheraghi for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to an informed source speaking to HRANA, Cheraghi was denied access to legal representation throughout the entire legal proceedings.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

Maryam Derisi Imprisoned in Adelabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Kazerun, Maryam Derisi

On May 15, 2023, Maryam Derisi, a Master’s student at the University of Saveh, went to Shiraz to start serving her 15-month sentence in Adelabad prison.

The Fars Court of Appeals convicted Derisi of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a 15-month sentence. Additionally, she received a sentence of seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the 15-month term has become enforceable.

Initially, the Kazerun Revolutionary Court had imposed a sentence of one year and 74 lashes for one case and three years for another legal case.

On October 15, 2022, security forces arrested Derisi in Shiraz and jailed her in Adel-Abad Prison. On November 2, she was released on bail.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.