The arrest of Balali took place at his residence in Tehran, where authorities conducted a search and seized several of his personal items. As of now, details about his location and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.
Originally, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had issued a verdict of five years on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and an additional two years for “insulting former and current Supreme Leaders of Iran.”
Currently, HRANA has documented 22 university professors who have been affected, facing expulsion or suspension.
The roster of professors targeted due to their perceived involvement in supporting last year’s protests is as follows:
Moreover, Safavardi, a former professor of political science at Islamic Azad University, revealed that nine professors have been compelled into early retirement due to reasons such as holding pro-Western opinions and expressing dissent against the Islamic Revolution. He did not, however, mention their names.
Just last month, Sharifi Zarchi, a faculty member at the Sharif University of Technology, exposed the covert infiltration of approximately 15,000 individuals purportedly “aligned with the government” into faculty boards. In protest against these actions targeting Iranian academics, Mohammad-Reza Aref, the head of the Union of University Professors (and a former Vice President of Iran), tendered his resignation.
Two days ago, the Ministry of Interior expressed approval of the Ministry of Science’s decision to dismiss university professors, asserting that this action aligns with legal, administrative criteria, and “the revolutionary duty to sustain the vibrancy of universities’ academic and cultural landscapes”, warranting appreciation. Furthermore, these professors were accused of “politicizing and exploiting their positions for political and partisan gains.”
It is crucial to note that the Iranian regime has a historical record of purging both students and professors, particularly in humanities and arts faculties, who express criticism towards the regime. In a report, Etemad Newspaper has identified 157 university professors who were expelled over the course of the last three administrations.
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.
Ramezanzadeh’s sentence of one year was handed down by Judge Iman Afshari of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The conviction was based on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” Despite an appeal process, the verdict was upheld.
On January 7, 2023, Ramezanzadeh was summoned to the Evin Courthouse, leading to his immediate detainment in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, on February 9, he was released on bail.
Ramezanzadeh’s recent encounter with the legal system is not his first; he has faced arrests and convictions previously for his activism.
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.
Recently, the judiciary’s news agency, Mizan, revealed that Yarrahi is facing legal proceedings due to a song that has been judged as “contrary to the values and norms of Islamic society.”
It’s worth noting that the singer had previously faced legal restrictions on his personal property rights due to his support for the 2022 nationwide protests. Mehdi Yarrahi, aged 42, is a singer and songwriter, hailing from Ahvaz.
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.
A source, with close ties to the Kia family, disclosed to HRANA that on the evening of Sunday, August 27, Vahid, Helia, and Amir Kia, all siblings of Hananeh, as well as their mother Masoumeh Azari, were arrested at their residence in Nowshahr, Mazandaran province.
The specific grounds for these detentions and the whereabouts of their confinement remain undisclosed at this time.
Hananeh Kia, a 22-year-old, was shot dead by security forces on September 21, 2022, during protests in Nowshahr.
As the approaching anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests, commonly referred to as the Mahsa Amini Protests looms, families of the victims are grappling with heightened pressures stemming from security and judicial entities. For more details, please refer to HRANA’s report on the arrest of some family members.
The presiding judge, Barjesteh, relayed to Tabrizi’s legal counsel that his client had been sentenced to a year behind bars for charges related to “propaganda against the regime.” A reliable source indicates that Tabrizi is awaiting an additional verdict from the Shahriar Criminal Court on the allegation of “spreading falsehood.”
Following his arrest in Tehran on June 10, 2023, Tabrizi was transported to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He secured his release from Evin Prison on bail after a 14-day period, pending the conclusion of legal procedures.
This civil rights advocate has faced previous detentions and convictions due to his activism.
Esmaeili’s sentencing comprises seven months and 15 days for “propagating against the regime” and an additional 31 months and 15 days for his alleged involvement as a member of an “anti-regime group.” As per the provisions outlined in Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, 31 months and 15 days of his total sentence will be carried out.
Esmaeili was arrested by security forces on February 8, 2023, and subsequently released from Saqez Prison on April 17, 2023. During his period of detention, both legal representation and family visitation were reportedly denied.
It’s worth noting that he has a history of previous arrests and incarceration for his activism.
Sources report that the apprehension of Moharrami was marked by significant use of force, prompting concerns about his well-being. The reason for his arrest, as per these sources, was his choice of attire—a t-shirt featuring a design depicting Urmia Lake. The lack of information surrounding his current situation, coupled with reports of physical mistreatment during the arrest, has amplified the worry felt by his family.
Urmia Lake’s ongoing struggle with desiccation has ignited a series of peaceful protests, with advocates demanding proactive measures to preserve this vital body of water.
Presently, the specifics of Moharrami’s location and the charges leveled against him are unknown.
Khademi was summoned by the Public and Revolutionary Court of Behbahan to appear for sentencing. Initially handed a ten-year and one-month sentence, Khademi’s legal journey took a turn after his plea of no contest and a subsequent reduction in his punishment. The final verdict stipulates five years and five months of imprisonment for “assembly and collusion against national security,” in addition to one year and four months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, an enforceable sentence of five years, five months, and 18 days has been established.
In addition to his prison term, Khademi has been subjected to supplementary penalties, including a mandatory two-year residency requirement in Taft County within the Yazd province, along with a prohibition from engaging in civil/political groups for a duration of two years. Furthermore, his participation in orientation classes has been mandated.
Khademi also finds himself grappling with another legal case that stems from an arrest on June 22, 2022, following a court appearance at the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court. After a period of detention, he was eventually released on bail from Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.
On January 18, 2020, Khademi was arrested by IRGC Intelligence and subsequently taken to a detention facility in Behbahan City. Following one month of interrogation, he was transferred to Behbahan Prison. On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
