Six-Month Sentence for Karim Esmaeilzadeh Upheld on Appeal

The Appellate Court in East Azerbaijan Province has confirmed the six-month sentence for Azerbaijani-Turk activist Karim Esmaeilzadeh (Esmaeil-Zadeh).

The original verdict, issued by the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, found Esmaeilzadeh guilty of “inciting people to violence on the Internet.”

On August 16, 2023, security forces arrested Esmaeilzadeh as he entered a football stadium in Tabriz. He was later released on bail amounting to 900 million dollars (approximately 18,000 dollars) from the city’s prison.

However, Esmaeilzadeh faced another arrest by security forces on August 27. This time, he secured his release on bail of 600 million tomans from Tabriz Prison. The upheld sentence reflects the ongoing legal challenges faced by the activist.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Parvin Initiates Hunger Strike in Protest of Unlawful Detention

On February 24, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Morteza Parvin commenced a hunger strike at Evin Prison to protest his detention.

A source close to Parvin’s family, informing HRANA of his decision, revealed that on February 23, Parvin notified his family of the charge he faces – “assembly and collusion against national security.” In a phone call, Parvin expressed his refusal to cooperate with the interrogation, asserting, “They are insisting on linking me to people with whom I have never been associated. I have declined interrogation so far and will continue to do so. Despite the interrogators’ requests for me to sign interrogation sheets, I informed them that I would speak only during the hearing in the presence of the judge. In protest against my unlawful detention, I will initiate a hunger strike tomorrow.”

According to this source, Parvin’s well-being during the hunger strike is further complicated by a lumbar disc issue, heightening concern for his family.

Security forces detained Parvin in Ardabil on February 6, and after a few days, he informed his family of his transfer to Evin Prison. This incident is not the first time Parvin has faced arrest due to his involvement as an Azerbaijani-Turk activist.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar and Rap Singer Milad Jalili Sentenced to a Total of 14 Months in Prison

In a recent legal development, the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz has handed down a combined 14-month prison sentence to Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Milad Jalili, a rap singer.

As per the verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Taher Afshar has been sentenced to six months for “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili has received eight months for “propaganda against the regime through performing a political rap music supporting convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili has been acquitted of the charge of “acting against national security through inciting people to violence and riots.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Five Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested by Security Forces

Security forces have apprehended five Azerbaijani-Turk activists in various locations, including Vadod Asadi and Saeed Minaie in Rasht, Ayaz Seyfkhah and Bagher Hajizadeh in Tabriz, and Kamal Nouri in Eslamshahr. These individuals have been transferred to undisclosed facilities.

Sources close to their families have informed HRANA that the agents employed violence during the arrest of these individuals.

Notably, Asadi and Minaie have a history of previous judicial confrontations related to their activism.

As of now, the reasons for their arrest, their current whereabouts, and the charges filed against them remain unknown.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for advocating ethnic rights.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Detained in Urmia

On February 6, 2024, security forces arrested Salar Taher Afshar in Urmia and subsequently transferred him to an undisclosed facility. The news of Afshar’s apprehension was disclosed by his sister.

At present, the specific reasons behind his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges levied against him remain undisclosed.

This recent arrest comes after Taher Afshar was previously detained on December 19, 2023. A court hearing addressing the charge of “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime” was conducted by the Tabriz Revolutionary Court on January 27, 2024.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for their advocacy of ethnic rights.

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Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Parvin Detained in Ardabil

On February 6, 2024, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Morteza Parvin was apprehended by security forces in Ardabil. He was taken to an undisclosed location following his arrest.

Parvin was detained at his father’s residence, where the agents conducted a search, resulting in the confiscation of some of his personal belongings.

As of now, the reasons behind Parvin’s arrest, his current location, and the charges filed against him remain unknown.

This incident marks not the first time Parvin has been subject to arrest due to his involvement as an Azerbaijani-Turk activist.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for advocating ethnic rights.

 

Arrests of Azerbaijani-Turk Activists in Jolfa Raise Concerns

On January 12, 2024, a group of Azerbaijani-Turk activists en route to Jolfa to visit the family of imprisoned Yourush Mehrali Baygloo were arrested. The detainees include Karim Esmaeilzadeh, Ebrahim Asemani, Seyed Mohammad-Reza Movahed, Younes Zareioun, Siamak Kooshi, Habib Negahban, Mohsen Ganji, Mokhtar Ebrahimi, and Hamed Yeganeh Pour, as reported by a source close to one of the detainee’s families.

The motive behind these arrests and the current location of the detainees remain unknown.

Notably, Esmaeilzadeh, Asemani, Zareioun, Kooshi, Negahban, Ebrahimi, and Yeganeh Pour have previously experienced arrests and legal challenges due to their activism.

On November 7, 2023, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Yourush Mehrali Baygloo was apprehended by security forces in Jolfa County and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz. The situation is developing, and concerns over the well-being of the activists persist.

Sunni Prisoner Davoud Abdollahi Executed in Ghezel Hesar

On January 2, 2024, Davoud Abdollahi, a Sunni prisoner, was executed in Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj, marking the end of his 13-year incarceration.

A source close to his family informed HRANA that the execution occurred without prior notice to his family. Abdollahi had been transferred to solitary confinement on December 26, following a hunger strike he initiated.

In a related legal case, two other Sunni defendants, Ghasem Abasteh and Ayoub Karimi, were executed on November 5 and November 29, 2023, respectively.

The origins of the case date back to September 2008 when Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, was assassinated by unidentified individuals. In January-February 2010, Abdollahi and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection to the assassination.

While in detention, Abdollahi faced multiple charges, including enmity against God (Moharebeh), allegedly through sympathizing with Salafism—a charge he consistently refuted. After spending fourteen months in legal limbo, Abdollahi was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, where he remained until his relocation to Ghezel Hesar Prison in August of the current year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Abdollahi and six others—Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ghasem Abasteh, and Ayoub Karimi. This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for him and his co-defendants.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Ebrahim Rashidi Arrested in Meshginshahr

On December 30, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Ebrahim Rashidi was arbitrarily apprehended by security forces in Meshginshahr and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

The arrest unfolded at Rashidi’s father’s residence in a village situated in Meshginshahr County, Ardabil province. The motives behind Rashidi’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unknown at this time. It is worth noting that Rashidi has previously experienced other arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Karim Esmaeil-Zadeh Receives Six-Month Imprisonment

The Tabriz Revolutionary Court has sentenced Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Karim Esmaeil Zadeh to six months in prison. Co-defendants Abdullah Ansari and Ebrahim Rezaie have been acquitted of charges in this legal case.

The verdict finds Esmaeil-Zadeh guilty of “inciting people to violence on the Internet,” with the detention period to be subtracted from the overall prison term.

On August 16, 2023, security forces arrested these individuals as they entered a football stadium in Tabriz. Three days later, they were released on bail from Tabriz Prison. Subsequently, Esmaeil-Zadeh was re-arrested on August 27 in Tabriz, only to be released on a second bail from the city’s prison.