Category: Freedom of Expression

Afshin Naziri Faces Imprisonment and Travel Restrictions Over Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Afshin Naziri, Evin Prison, Pardis

Afshin Naziri has been handed a verdict by the Revolutionary Court of Pardis, resulting in a sentence of four years and nine months of imprisonment, coupled with a two-year travel ban.

The charges against Naziri include 33 months for “membership in groups acting against national security,” 16 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Additionally, as per the court’s decision, Naziri is prohibited from leaving the country for a duration of two years, and his cell phone has been ordered to be confiscated.

Naziri’s troubles began on August 27, 2023, when security forces arrested him at his residence, subsequently transferring him to Evin Prison. After enduring 12 days of detention, he was released on bond.

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

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Milad Jalili, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Tabriz Revolutionary Court

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.

Samad Pourshah Sentenced to Six Months in Yasuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini, Samad Pourshah, Yasuj

Samad Pourshah, a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, has been handed a six-month prison term by Judge Ghahremani of Branch 1, Revolutionary Court of Yasuj.

On February 14, the court issued the verdict, convicting Pourshah on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Additionally, the following day, a separate legal case was addressed by the Yasuj criminal court, involving charges such as “insulting the prophet of Islam, insulting the Supreme Leader, blasphemy, propaganda against the regime, disseminating false information, and disturbing public opinions” against Pourshah.
It is important to highlight that charges such as insulting the Prophet of Islam may lead to severe punishment, even the death penalty, under Iran’s legal system.

Pourshah’s arrest by security forces in Yasuj dates back to September 16, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s tragic death.

Lawyer Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh Arrested in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Karaj, Kargar-Pisheh, Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh

Security forces apprehended Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh Moghadam, a practicing attorney, in Karaj on February 14, subsequently transferring him to a detention facility within the city.

According to a source close to Kargarpisheh’s family, the arrest occurred on a street in Karaj while he was en route to his office. He has been relocated to a detention facility in Karaj.

“Despite the family’s inquiries, the reason for this arrest has yet to be disclosed,” the source added.

Hossein Hosseinkhani Receives Two-Year Sentence in Absentia

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hossein Hosseinkhani, Mehrshad Shahidi-Nejad

The Revolutionary Court of Arak has issued a two-year prison sentence in absentia for Hossein Hosseinkhani.

Presiding over Branch 2 of the Arak Revolutionary Court, Judge Hosseini ruled that Hosseinkhani should serve a two-year prison term for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

In a separate aspect of the legal case, Hosseinkhani was initially handed a three-month prison sentence for “defying government officers” by the Criminal Court of Arak. However, this verdict was later commuted to a fine.

Hosseinkhani was arrested on October 27, 2023, by security forces while attending the burial of Mehrshad Shahidi-Nejad Monfared Tehrani, one of the protestors killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests. Four days later, he was released on bail from Arak Prison.

This was not Hosseinkhani’s first encounter with law enforcement. He faced a previous arrest during the nationwide protests on September 20, 2022, but was later released on bond.

The backdrop of these events includes the tragic death of 19-year-old Mehrshad Shahidi-Nejad on October 26, 2022, during protests in Arak, where he was struck by batons, leading to his untimely demise.

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Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi’s One-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Iranian Rapper, Isfahan, Toomaj Salehi

The Appeals Court of Isfahan Province has upheld the one-year sentence for protest singer Toomaj Salehi, as reported by ILNA.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, revealed that the Court of Appeal dismissed their complaint against the initial verdict, rendering it final. Despite this setback, Raisian announced plans to pursue a retrial based on Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Salehi’s conviction for “propaganda against the regime” comes with additional consequences, including a two-year travel ban, the revocation of his passport, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills programs.

Furthermore, Raisian clarified that this verdict is connected to a legal case initiated this year, stemming from the publication of a photo by Salehi.

He emphasized that Salehi faces an even greater challenge from a separate legal case dating back two years. On January 21, 2024, the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse of Isfahan indicted Salehi on multiple charges, including Baghi, an accusation of armed rebellion that carries the potential for severe punishment, including execution. In response, Raisian, expressed concerns about due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” The Criminal Court has undertaken another part of this legal, adding more legal challenges to this protest rapper.

Abdolrasoul Mortazavi Receives Two-Year Sentence in Prison for New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Dastgerd Prison, Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison

Political prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, currently serving an eleven-year sentence in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has been handed an additional two-year sentence for a new legal case initiated while in prison.

Confirming the recent ruling, a source close to Mortazavi’s family informed HRANA that the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years. The legal case was triggered by Mortazavi’s voice message titled “Joking with the world leader of the clowns,” recorded in Rajai Shahr Prison in April-May 2022.

In mid-August 2019, Mortazavi and 13 civil society activists penned an open letter urging Ayatollah Khamenei to step down, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence, with 11 years currently in effect. He is currently serving this sentence in Dastgerd Prison.

Additionally, Mortazavi was sentenced to an extra two years in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for alleged “propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order.”

An Iran-Iraq war-injured veteran, Mortazavi was initially incarcerated in Evin Prison. In March 2021, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison and later, in the following year, exiled to Dastgerd Prison.

Khoda-Karami Brothers Receive Combined 12-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Khoda-Karami, Mehdi Khoda-Karami, Mohammad Khoda-Karami, Mujahedin-e-Khalq

Mohammad and Mehdi Khoda-Karami have been sentenced by the Khorramabad Revolutionary Court.

According to a reliable source close to HRANA, the Revolutionary Court has handed down sentences of eight years for Mohammad and four years for Mehdi. The charges include “membership in an anti-regime group (The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran, or the Mujahedin-e-Khalq)” and “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

Originally arrested in Tehran last year, these Khorramabad residents were initially held in Evin Prison before being transferred to Khorramabad Prison.

Reports obtained by HRANA reveal that the Khoda-Karami brothers were subjected to physical assault during the interrogation. Additionally, throughout their detention, they were denied access to medical care despite suffering from multiple diseases.

Sunni Cleric Mohammad Khezr-Nejad Receives Death Sentence

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Asa'ad Rahimi, Bukan, Kurdpa, Mohammad Khezr-Nejad, Mohammad Khezrnejad, Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province

In a recent development, Sunni cleric Mohammad Khezr-Nejad has been sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. The charges against him include “spreading corruption on earth” and “acting against national security,” as reported by Kurdpa.

Judge Reza Najafzadeh issued the ruling, finding Khezr-Nejad guilty of various offenses, such as “spreading corruption on earth,” “acting against national security through threatening the integrity or independence of the country,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Consequently, he has been handed a death sentence along with 16 years of imprisonment. Throughout the trial, Khezr-Nejad has consistently dismissed these charges as baseless.

The verdict was reached based on coerced confessions obtained from the defendant during interrogation, where he purportedly admitted to “leading protests in Bukan and association with anti-regime groups.” Khezr-Nejad has contested the authenticity of these confessions.

In response to the sentencing, Khezr-Nejad has reportedly filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal of West Azerbaijan province.

The cleric and his son were arrested on November 19, 2022, by security forces in Bukan and subsequently detained in Urmia Prison. The arrest occurred after Khezr-Nejad delivered a speech during the funeral of Asa’ad Rahimi, who lost his life during protests at the hands of regime forces. The arrest involved physical assault against Khezr-Nejad.

It’s worth noting that Khezr-Nejad has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his activism.

Safa Aeli, Mahsa Amini’s Uncle, Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Mostafaie, Mahsa Amini, Safa Aeli, Saleh Nikbakht, Saqqez

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Saqqez handed down a five-year, six-month prison term and additional penalties to Safa Aeli, maternal uncle of Mahsa Amini.

Aeli received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for charges related to “assisting in assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” In addition, he has been prohibited from leaving the country for two years and mandated to write an article focusing on the topic of the deceased police and military forces.

Confirming this news, Aeli’s lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht informed HRANA that three years and six months of this sentence is enforceable. On September 5, 2023, security forces arrested Safa Aeli. He was released on bail from Saqqez Prison on October 17, 2023. He was denied access to a lawyer and family visits during his detention.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab 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. Additional understanding can be acquired by examining the report provided by HRANA.