Category: Freedom of Expression

Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey Receives Six-Year Prison Sentence

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

Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, a resident of Sari, has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Sari Revolutionary Court. The verdict includes the forfeiture of particular possessions, a travel prohibition, and other social restrictions.

The court’s ruling specifies that Moradi Kia-Pey will serve five years for “inciting actions against national security by disseminating false accusations against the regime” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.” Among the items seized are technical and telecommunications equipment, along with SIM cards. Furthermore, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without limitations.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison will be enforceable.

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

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

Mohammad Vaziri Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Chalus, HRANA, Isfahan, Koroush Vaziri, Mohammad Vaziri, Shirin Alizadeh

On August 17, Mohammad (Koroush) Vaziri was arrested by security forces in Isfahan and taken to an undisclosed location. His wife, Shirin Alizadeh fell victim to regime forces in Chalus, Mazandaran province, amid the nationwide protests (aka Mahsa Amini protests).

A source close to the Vaziri family disclosed to HRANA that Vaziri’s detention transpired after a commemorative ceremony at his wife’s gravesite on her birthday. His apprehension unfolded at the entrance of the cemetery. This source outlined that during the arrest, authorities confiscated both his mobile phones and those of his friends and accompanying relatives.

The motives behind this arrest, Vaziri’s current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shirin Alizadeh was tragically shot dead by the police/security forces on September 22 during the 2022 nationwide protests.

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.

 

Poet and Workers’ Rights Activist Peyman Farhangian Sentenced to One Year in Prison Alongside Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh, Lahijan, Peyman Farhangian, Seyed-Sadegh Hosseini, Zabol

Peyman Farhangian, a poet and workers’ rights activist, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by the Criminal Court of Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh. This ruling also encompasses a travel ban and other social restrictions.

The court has deemed Farhangian guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison term, he faces a mandatory two-year residency requirement in Zabol, a two-year prohibition from leaving the country, and the mandate to delete his Instagram account.

The initial verdict, issued on September 23, 2020, under the jurisdiction of Judge Seyed-Sadegh Hosseini, amounted to a staggering 38-year prison term. However, a significant development occurred on May 15, 2021, when the Court of Appeals in Gilan Province lessened the sentence to a decade behind bars. Seven years of this revised sentence remained suspended for a period of five years.

Following his conviction, Farhangian was incarcerated in Lahijan, located in Gilan Province, on May 16, 2022, marking the commencement of his imprisonment. Subsequently, he was granted provisional release in December 2022.

Narges Sardari Apprehended in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, Narges Sardari, Tehran

On August 16, Security forces arrested Narges Sardari at her residence in Tehran, subsequently transporting her to an undisclosed destination.

A source connected to her family, who shared insights with HRANA, disclosed that during the apprehension, she was compelled to bring her three-year-old child along, who was later entrusted to a family member a few hours following the incident at the courthouse.

Furthermore, Narges Sardari’s spouse, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, a well-known actor and comedian, has been under detention for more than two months. Etemad Saeed’s arrest was executed by security forces on June 9, 2023, in Tehran. Intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated a portion of his possessions.

The precise reasons underlying her arrest, and her current location are currently unknown.

 

 

Additional Four Individuals Detained in Gilan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Gilan province, Hooman Taheri, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Siah, Vahedeh Khoshsirat

In a recent development on Wednesday, August 16, security forces apprehended Shiva Shah Siah, Vahedeh Khoshsirat, Hooman Taheri, and Sara Jahani in Gilan Province.

This event follows HRANA’s report of the arrest of seven women’s rights activists on the same day within the province.

Khoshsirat and Shah Siah, both advocates for women’s rights, were taken into custody in Lahijan. Meanwhile, Mr. Taheri and Mrs. Jahani were apprehended separately in Rasht.

The precise reasons underlying their detentions, their current locations, and the specific charges brought against them all remain undisclosed at this juncture.

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Blogger Elaheh Askari Detained in Evin Prison Following Arrest

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elaheh Askari, Evin Prison

Elaheh Askari, a blogger, was taken into custody by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on August 16, 2023. She has subsequently been placed in detention at Evin Prison.

Reports indicate that Askari’s arrest occurred outside the Immigration & Passport Police Office, where she had gone to retrieve her passport. Following her apprehension, law enforcement agents conducted a search of her residence.

At present, the precise grounds for Askari’s detention and the specific allegations against her remain undisclosed.

Seven Women’s Rights Activists Arrested in Gilan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Bandar-Anzali, Frough Saminia, Fuman, Jelveh Javaheri, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Rasht, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

On August 16, 2023, a total of seven women’s rights activists were apprehended individually in Rasht, Fuman, and Bandar Anzali, subsequently being transported to undisclosed locations. The detained individuals include Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras, Negin Rezaie, Matin Yazdani, Frough Saminia, Jelveh Javaheri, and Yasamin Hashdari.

Zahra and Zohreh Dadras were taken into custody by security forces at their residence in Rasht. However, inquiries made by their family members regarding their condition have gone unanswered thus far. Moreover, Frough Saminia, Yasamin Hashdari, and Matin Yazdani, a photographer, have also been apprehended individually within the same city.

The exact motives behind their arrests, their current locations, as well as the nature of the charges against them, all remain undisclosed at present.

Filmmaker Saeed Roustayi Receives Prison Sentence over “Leila’s Brothers”

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Freedom of Expression, News
iranian filmmaker, Leila's Brothers, Saeed Roustaee, Saeed Roustayi

Renowned filmmaker and screenwriter Saeed Roustayi has been handed a six-month prison sentence, along with supplementary penalties, by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as revealed by Didban Iran.

Approximately nine days of this prison term will be carried out, while the remainder has been suspended for a five-year period.

Roustayi’s conviction stems from charges of “propaganda against the regime,” linked to his creation of the movie “Leila’s Brothers”, which he showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition to the prison sentence, Roustayi has been subjected to various restrictions affecting his career as a director and producer, including limitations on engaging with fellow cinema professionals. Further, he has been directed to complete a 24-hour filmmaking course at IRIB University in Qom.

The 2022 drama film “Leila’s Brothers” garnered significant attention. It secured a spot in the competition for the Palme d’Or at the renowned 2022 Cannes Film Festival and notably clinched the International Federation of Film Critics prize.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested Just One Day After Release

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Saqqez, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On Monday, August 14, journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested by security forces and promptly taken to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Her recent arrest comes after being granted bail and released from Evin Prison on August 13.

A reliable source close to Maroufian’s family, speaking to HRANA, has confirmed that she is now held at Qarchak Prison.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.
On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

 

Activist Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi Detained in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi

Mashhad, August 12 – Security forces took activist Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi into custody on Saturday, with his current whereabouts undisclosed.

According to a reliable course who spoke to HRANA, Mashhadi was arrested at his residence in Mashhad. The precise reasons behind his detainment, his present location, and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Shaki Mashhadi has a prior history of arrests linked to his activism. His last arrest dates back to December 2022 when he was apprehended by security forces in relation to the 2022 nationwide protests.