Iranian-Swedish Saeed Azizi’s Five-Year Prison Term Upheld on Political Charges

The Appellate Court of Tehran has affirmed a five-year prison sentence for Iranian-Swedish citizen Saeed Azizi.

Currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, Azizi was initially handed the five-year term for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari.

Azizi’s legal representative has revealed that he is battling cancer, adding an extra layer of difficulty to his detention. His health has further deteriorated following a recent fall down a flight of stairs.

Previously, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs had expressed concern over the arrest of a Swedish national man in Iran, citing a lack of clarity regarding the reasons behind it.

Journalist Ali Moslehi Receives Six Years and Two Months in Prison

Journalist Ali Moslehi has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison through two verdicts issued by the Criminal and Revolutionary Court of Kashan, with 22 months suspended for five years.

According to Moslehi’s lawyer, Saeed Gholamian, the Kashan Revolutionary Court handed down a 15-month sentence for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and a seven-month sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” both suspended for five years. Additionally, the Criminal Court of Kashan sentenced him to three years and one month for “blasphemy” and one year and three months for “disseminating false information.”

Moslehi was arrested by security forces in Kashan on July 20, 2023. Following his arrest, he was transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to Kashan Prison in August. He was later released on bail of one billion tomans (approximately 20,000 dollars).

Ali (Abbas-Ali) Moslehi has a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations due to his activism.

Maryam Khalili Detained by Security Forces in Isfahan

Maryam (Marzieh) Khalili, aged 24, was apprehended by security forces in Isfahan on March 14, 2024, and transferred to an undisclosed facility.

A source close to Khalili’s family verified her arrest to HRANA. According to reports obtained by HRANA, Khalili has been repeatedly summoned and interrogated by judicial authorities, and previously released on bond. She now faces charges including “spreading propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “blasphemy,” as declared by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.

At present, the reasons behind Khalili’s arrest and her current whereabouts remain undisclosed.

Extension of Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri’s Detention Continues Legal Limbo

Political detainee Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri’s confinement in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, has surpassed 168 days, with his uncertain legal status persisting. Recently, authorities prolonged his detention for an additional month.

Asghar Sepehri confirmed to HRANA the extension of his brother’s detainment by the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Mashhad.

Sepehri was apprehended by security forces in Mashhad on September 28, 2023, facing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, on January 20, 2024, his employment was terminated by the Ministry of Education.

Notably, Sepehri’s sister, Fatemeh Sepehri, also languishes as a political detainee in the same prison.

Saeed Ghader Panah Arrested and Incarcerated in Khorramabad Prison

Saeed Ghader Panah, a resident of Khorramabad, was apprehended on March 9, 2024, following his appearance at the Revolutionary Court in the city. He was promptly incarcerated in Khorramabad Prison.

A source close to Ghader Panah, noting his health condition, confirmed his arrest, mentioning that he suffers from diabetes.

According to the same source, Ghader Panah had been summoned to the court on political charges, specifically “propaganda against the regime.”

This isn’t the first instance of Ghader Panah’s encounter with security forces. He was previously detained on January 15, 2024, and subsequently released on bail from Khorramabad Prison.

Ghader Panah, 43, is a father of two.

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Teacher Union Activist Asghar Amirzadegan Receives One-Year Prison Sentence

The Revolutionary Court in Firuzabad, Fars province, has handed down a one-year prison sentence to teacher union activist Asghar Amirzadegan. He has been convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” with the legal case initiated by the prosecutor of Firuzabad.

Additionally, in a separate legal case, the Firuzabad Criminal Court sentenced him to pay a fine as an alternative to a six-month prison term. Amirzadegan, known for his involvement in union activities, has faced prior arrests and convictions.

He has previously encountered prior arrests and convictions due to his involvement in union activities.
In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 1,700 reports related to the rights of trade unions and associations. This included 53 individuals who received sentences totaling 1,230 months of imprisonment.

 

Theater Director Ali Noorani Commences One-Year Prison Term, Faces New Legal Proceedings

Theater director Ali Noorani was taken into custody on March 6 to begin serving a one-year sentence at Evin Prison. Simultaneously, new legal proceedings have been initiated against him.

A reliable source close to Noorani confirmed his imprisonment, stating that he was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison following his appearance at the Evin Courthouse. Initially, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced Noorani to six years in prison for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” However, the sentence was later reduced to one year on appeal.

Noorani had previously been arrested on September 17, 2023, at his residence in Tehran. After spending 24 days in detention, he was released on a bail of three billion tomans, equivalent to approximately 60,000 dollars. The recent arrest marks the commencement of his one-year prison term as he faces further legal challenges.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Sasan Chaman-Ara Receives Three-Month Sentence and Fine for Political Charges

Ilam’s Revolutionary Court has issued a verdict sentencing Sasan Chaman-Ara to three months in prison, inclusive of the detention period, and a fine on political charges.

The court’s decision, notified to Chaman-Ara on March 9, states that Chaman-Ara is found guilty of “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups and media.”

Chaman-Ara was taken into custody by security forces on January 17, 2024, and subsequently held in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ilam for seven days. He was released temporarily on bond after the initial detention period.

Aged 34 and a resident of Ilam, Chaman-Ara has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Zeinab Khenyab Pour Faces Imprisonment and Fine for Photos Without Hijab

The Appellate Court in Khuzestan Province sentenced Zeinab Khenyab Pour, a resident of Behbahan, to four months in prison and paying a fine, for the publication of photos without hijab.

Initially, Khenyab Pour was handed two years in prison by the Behbahan Criminal Court.

In a separate legal development overseen by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, Khenyab Pour had previously received a three-month sentence. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

The legal proceedings stem from Khenyab Pour’s participation in a general strike supporting nationwide protests on December 5, 2022. In response to the closure of her garment shop, she sought clarification from judicial authorities and was subsequently detained for six days in Sepidar Prison, located in Ahvaz. The case has ignited discussions about freedom of expression and the legal consequences individuals may face for their involvement in civic actions.

 

Imprisoned Political Activist Mostafa Tajzadeh Confronts Additional Charges

Mostafa Tajzadeh, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, is facing new legal challenges as he receives a summons related to fresh charges. The accusations include “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime,” compelling Tajzadeh to attend a court hearing scheduled for March 10.

In response to the summons, Tajzadeh, in an open letter from prison, declared, “As usual, I refused to receive the summons letter. The Judicial authorities can hand me several additional years-long prison terms in absentia, but I will attend neither courthouse nor the court.”

In late February, Tajzadeh was confined to solitary confinement as a punitive measure for his statement advocating the boycott of the parliamentary election and conducting media interviews from prison.

The prominent political activist was apprehended by security forces on July 8, 2022, and subsequently transferred to Ward 2-A in Evin Prison under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). After months of legal uncertainty, Tajzadeh was sentenced to eight years in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati. The charges included “assembly and collusion against national security,” “disseminating false information,” and “propaganda against the regime,” with five years of the verdict deemed enforceable.

Tajzadeh, who previously served as the deputy interior minister under President Mohammad Khatami, has a history of judicial confrontations and periods of incarceration stemming from his activism.