Category: Freedom of Expression

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.

 

Mehdi Mohebi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Mehdi Mohebi, The Tehran Revolutionary Court

Mehdi Mohebi, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Mohebi was arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests and subsequently incarcerated at the Great Tehran Penitentiary following the indictment process.

Iman Afshari, the judge presiding over the case, sentenced Mohebi to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”
An informed source told HRANA that Mohebi was denied access to a lawyer 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.

 

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Four Citizens Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging for Opposing Compulsory Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolbagher Amani, HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Maryam Bani-Razi Motlagh, Mohammad-Reza Rostami, Reza Rashidi

Maryam Bani-Razi Motlagh, Abdolbagher Amani, Reza Rashidi, and Mohammad-Reza Rostami have been sentenced to over 17 months in prison and 148 lashes combined, along with additional punishment, by the Criminal Court of Qom.

Amani, Rashidi and Rostami each received 91 days and were prohibited from taking a public service profession for two years. This punishment is for hindering religious vigilantes from carrying out their religious duty of “enjoining good and forbidding wrong,” which includes enforcing compulsory hijab.
As HRANA earlier reported, Bani-Razi was sentenced to over eight months, 148 lashes and additional punishments for not complying with the compulsory Hijab.
The four individuals were reportedly arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and were later released on bond.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Iran Protests: Ramin Alinia Tazeh Kand Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ardabil prison, azerbaijani activist, Ramin Alinia Tazeh Kand

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Azerbaijani activist Ramin Alinia Tazeh Kand has been sentenced to six years in prison and social deprivation by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He was arrested amid the nationwide protests of 2022.

Judge Salavati presided over the case and sentenced Alinia Tazeh Kand to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” He has also been banned from political party and group memberships on social media, as well as leaving the country for two years.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, the five-year prison sentence for the first count will be enforceable.
Alinia Tazeh Kand was arrested by security forces on November 8, 2022, and was released on bail 22 days later from Ardabil Prison.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

 

French-Irish Citizen Bernard Phelan Freed from Jail in Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bernard Phelan, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

French-Irish citizen, Bernard Phelan, has been released from prison in Iran after being held in custody for several months. The Iranian embassy in Ireland has confirmed that his release was the result of diplomatic negotiations between Ireland and Iran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting IRNA news agency, jailed French-Irish citizen Bernard Phelan was released from jail in Iran.

The Iranian embassy in Ireland stated that Phelan’s release was due to amnesty for humanitarian reasons and for showing goodwill in diplomatic relations between Iran and Ireland.

Phelan, who is 64 years old, was arrested by Iranian security forces during his last trip to Iran on October 3, 2022. He was later identified by the Irish Times as being held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

Phelan’s sister has previously stated that he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison for allegedly “providing information to another country,” among other charges.

Masoumeh Soleimani Arrested in Khorramabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khorramabad, Masoumeh Soleimani

On May 10, 2023, security forces arrested Masoumeh Soleimani, a wrestling coach and referee, and took her to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Masoumeh Soleimani was arrested in Khorramabad.

The reason for her arrest, the place of her confinement, and the accusations against her are presently unknown. Soleimani has previously been detained for her activism.

 

Fatemeh Tadrisi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baharestan, Fatemeh Tadrisi, Kachooie Prison, Mojgan Tadrisi, Qarchak Prison

On May 9, 2023, Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi was arrested by security forces and taken to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on May 9, 2023, Fatemeh Tadrisi was arrested by security forces in Tehran.

According to an informed who spoke to HRANA, to participate in a teachers’ rally, Tadrisi went to Baharestan Square, where she was arrested by security forces. In a phone call, she informed her family that she had been detained in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. This marks Tadrisi’s third arrest since the start of the nationwide protests in 2022. She was previously detained for a month in Kachooie Prison and spent some time in Evin Prison.

The reasons for Tadrisi’s arrest and the allegations against her are currently unknown