Category: Freedom of Expression

Mohammad-Reza Bashang Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bashang, Mohammad-Reza Bashang, Tehran

On October 17, 2023, security forces apprehended Mohammad-Reza Bashang in Tehran and transported him to an undisclosed facility.

HRANA learned of this incident through a source with close connections to his family. Despite their repeated inquiries, judicial and security officials have yet to disclose Bashang’s whereabouts or condition.

Bashang had previously been arrested by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending five months in detention as a result.

As of now, the cause behind Bashang’s recent arrest, his current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain veiled in uncertainty, deepening concerns over his well-being and the transparency of the legal process.

Lawyer Saleh Nikbakht Receives One-Year Sentence and Social Media Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eskandar Lotfi, Jafar Panahi, Mahsa Amini, Masoud Nikkhah, Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, Saleh Nikbakht, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Saleh Nikbakht has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and faces restrictions on his social media activities.

Presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, the Tehran Revolutionary Court delivered this verdict to Nikbakht for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, he has been prohibited from engaging in social media activities for a duration of two years.

According to sources cited by HRANA, Nikbakht’s refusal to accept the forensic report concerning the cause of Mahsa Amini’s death was cited as evidence supporting this charge. Nikbakht, who served as Amini’s lawyer, found himself embroiled in this legal case following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Intelligence, primarily due to his interviews with media outlets outside Iran.

On March 11, 2023, Nikbakht was indicted at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Nikbakht has represented Mahsa Amini and several political prisoners, including Jafar Panahi, Eskandar Lotfi, and Masoud Nikkhah, in legal matters.

Leila Hosseinzadeh Faces New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Evin Courthouse, Leila Hosseinzadeh, Shiraz

Former political prisoner Leila Hosseinzadeh is confronted with a new legal case brought forth by the prosecutor’s offices of Evin Courthouse.

Hosseinzadeh stands accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

On August 20, 2022, security forces arrested Hosseinzadeh in front of her residence in Tehran and subsequently detained her in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. During the arrest, she was beaten by the agents. She was later relocated to a detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No. 100, and subsequently to Adelabad Prison.

On January 4, 2023, Hosseinzadeh was once again transferred to Evin Prison. After five days, she was granted release on bail.

Leila Hosseinzadeh, a student activist from the University of Tehran, has a documented history of previous arrests and convictions tied to her activism.

Reza Rasaei Receives Death Sentence Amidst Controversial Charges

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
IRGC’s intelligence, Kermanshah, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh

Reza Rasaei, one of the participants in the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in connection with a legal case related to the “killing of the head of the IRGC’s intelligence of Sahneh County.”

According to Kurdpa, Rasaei has been found guilty of involvement in the death of Nader Beirami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County. Additional charges against Rasaei include causing non-lethal injuries, using a knife, and disrupting public order.

Critically, the court’s decision appears to have relied on a confession extracted under duress during Rasaei’s detention.

Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. After completing the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.

Several other protesters involved in a demonstration on November 18, 2022, are also facing charges related to their alleged role in the death of the IRGC’s intelligence officer. During this protest, several protestors were also killed by police and security forces.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, aged 34, is known as a Yarsan follower and a resident of Sahneh County.

Student Mohammad Navid Badami Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ali Mazloum, Mohammad Navid Badami, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of one year in prison and 74 lashes to Mohammad Navid Badami, a student at Shahid Beheshti University, with seven months of the prison term being suspended.

Presiding over the court, Judge Ali Mazloum found Badami guilty of “disturbing public order.”

On May 20, 2023, Badami was apprehended by security forces during a student gathering protesting the death sentences issued against three defendants in a case known as “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House).” He was subsequently released on bail on June 12, 2023.

It is crucial to note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

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Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mazandaran, Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, Sari

The Court of Appeal in Mazandaran Province has confirmed the initial six-year prison sentence and travel ban imposed on Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey, a resident of Sari.

Initially, Moradi Kia-pay was sentenced to five years for “inciting actions against national security through activities on social media” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.”

Among the items seized were technical and telecommunications equipment, as well as SIM cards. Additionally, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without restrictions.

On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. Subsequently, he was detained in a facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.

Moradi Kia-Pey had a prior encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted amnesty through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after approximately 30 days of confinement.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s Prison Sentence Confirmed on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahar, East Azerbaijan province, Saleh Mola-Abbasi, Tabriz Prison

The Court of Appeal for East Azerbaijan Province has upheld a 91-day prison sentence for Azerbaijani-Turk activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi.

Earlier this year, in July, Mola-Abbasi was initially handed this verdict on charges of “disseminating false information to disrupt public order.”

Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s arrest occurred at his residence in Ahar on October 9, 2022, when he was apprehended by security forces. Following approximately one month of incarceration in Tabriz Prison, he was released on bail, which amounted to 1.2 billion tomans. The court session that ultimately led to his sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.

It is noteworthy that Saleh Mola-Abbasi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activist endeavors.

Golestan Resident Detained Over Alleged Ties to Foreign Media

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fars News Agency, Golestan

In a recent development in Golestan Province, a local resident has been apprehended by security personnel on charges of “associating with foreign media” and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This information was reported by the Fars News Agency.

According to the news agency, which has ties to security institutions, the detainee is alleged to have engaged in activities aimed at inciting ethnic and religious tensions over the past two years. These activities purportedly involved posting content, associating with foreign media outlets, spreading misinformation, and defaming the government.

As of now, the identity of the detainee and the location of their detention remain undisclosed.

Edris Menbari Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Edris Menbari, Nozhin

The Criminal Court of Sanandaj has issued a verdict, sentencing Edris Menbari, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, to a one-year prison term and 40 lashes.

Menbari was found guilty of “disturbing public order.” He is mandated to serve his sentence at Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah for a duration of one year, which includes time spent in custody.

The court session addressing Menbari’s charges took place on October 1, 2023, notably without the presence of his legal counsel.

Previously, on December 18, 2022, security forces apprehended Menbari at his residence in Sanandaj during the nationwide protests, and he was released on bail in February 2023.

Edris Menbari is a board member of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association.

It is important to highlight that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights expressly forbids flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

Minor Detained by Security Forces in Mahabad

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Pouya Khezri, Urmia

On October 10, Pouya Khezri, a minor resident of Mahabad, was apprehended within the city and subsequently transferred to a detention facility in Urmia, as per reports by Kurdpa.

The arrest of Khezri took place at his family’s residence, and notably, no arrest warrant was presented by the security forces.

The specific grounds for Khezri’s detention and the allegations against him remain