Category: Freedom of Expression

Iranian Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence of Mohammad Ghobadloo

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Amir Raisian, Mohammad Ghobadloo, Mohammad Ghobadlou, Supreme Court of Iran, Tehran

The death sentence of Mohammad Ghobadloo has been upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court, his lawyer confirms.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Didban Iran news outlet, the Iranian Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Mohammad Ghobadloo, who was arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadloo is facing two separate legal cases, both of which have resulted in a death sentence issued by the Revolutionary Court and Criminal Court. Ghobadloo’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, confirmed the news, stating, “Our request for a retrial regarding the death sentence issued by the Revolutionary Court is still ongoing, and the Supreme Court has not yet made a decision. However, the request for a retrial regarding the death sentence (Qisas) in the Criminal Court has been denied by the Supreme Court.”

In late January 2023, the public relations department of the Supreme Court announced that Mohammad Ghobadloo’s death sentence would be temporarily suspended following a request from his lawyer.

Initially, Ghobadloo was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, for charges including “spreading corruption on earth through crimes against the physical integrity of people.” Additional charges against him include “destruction of public property” and “acting against national security by causing unrest.”

On December 10, 2022, the Tehran Criminal Court also held a trial against Ghobadloo and subsequently sentenced him to death.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

Iranian Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Protestor Javad Roohi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Roohi, moharebeh, Nowshahr, Sari Revolutionary Court

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency – the Iranian Supreme Court has overturned the three execution sentences and other punishments previously imposed on Javad Roohi, who was arrested during nationwide protests in Nowshahr.

Roohi’s lawyer, Majid Kaveh, confirmed that Branch 9 of the Iranian Supreme Court responded to Roohi’s request for a retrial and annulled the verdict issued by the Sari Revolutionary Court. The case has now been referred to another court branch for further review.

Back in January 2023, Roohi was handed three death sentences on charges including “spreading corruption on earth,” “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” for burning the Quran, blasphemy, arson and destruction of property, as well as “insulting people to unrest and assembly and collusion against national security.”

One of the main accusations against Roohi was setting fire to a traffic police station using a Molotov cocktail in Nowshahr. The judge further alleged that he played a leading role in the “unrest” and considered his participation in street dancing during the protests as a criminal act. Roohi has vehemently denied all these accusations. Despite presenting a strong defense, the court dismissed Roohi’s arguments as “pointless” and sentenced him to death.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

Former Political Prisoner Mahboobeh Rezaie Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Borazjan, Bushehr, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Shiraz

On May 22, 2023, Mahboobeh Rezaie, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces and transported to an undisclosed location.

on Monday, May 22, a team of four male and two female intelligence agents raided Rezaie’s father’s residence, taking her into custody. The exact whereabouts of Rezaie remain unknown, and her family’s inquiries have yet to receive a response.
The motives behind Rezaie’s arrest and the specific charges against her are currently undisclosed.

Rezaie, a resident of Borazjan, Bushehr Provnce. It is worth noting that this is not the first time that she is facing arrest and conviction due to her activism. In June 2022, she was released early from Adelabad prison in Shiraz.

Lack of Information on Condition of Four Political Prisoners after Ten Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hajir Faramarzi, Hazhir Faramarzi, HRANA, Komalah, Mohsen Mazloum, Perjman Fatehi, Pezhman Fatehi, Sumay-ye Beradust, Urmia, Vafar Azarbar

The families and the lawyer of Mohsen Mazloum, Pezhman (Pejman) Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hazhir (Hajir) Faramarzi remain uninformed about the well-being and legal status of these political prisoners, causing growing concern.

On July 23, 2022, Iran Police Intelligence (FARAJA) arrested them in the Sumay-ye Beradust District of Urmia County.

Despite repeated inquiries from families and lawyers, the whereabouts of these individuals and the specific charges against them remain unknown. Families have sought answers from various prisoners and judicial authorities in Kurdistan, Isfahan, and Tehran, but have faced threats, disrespect, and coerced confessions broadcasted on Iran state TV instead.

Security-institution-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, reported the arrest of “a network of Israeli spies,” referring to these individuals. Tasnim also claimed that they possessed operational and communication equipment, as well as explosive materials, and had crossed into the country from the Kurdistan region with the intention of carrying out unprecedented terrorist operations in secure-sensitive locations.

Approximately 80 days after their arrest, Iran’s state TV aired their coerced confessions, accusing them of spying for foreign intelligence and stating that they had been apprehended in sensitive sites in Isfahan.

In response, Komalah (CPI-a Kurdish oppositional political party) issued a statement denying all these allegations and warned about intelligence institutions’ conspiring against detainees who have been accused of being members of the party.

Lawyer Farzaneh Zilabi Receives Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Farzaneh Zilabi, Haft Tappeh, Mandanda Sadeghi, Mehrnoosh Tafian, Ronak Rezaie

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-The Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced attorney Farzaneh Zilabi to one year and six months in prison.

According to the verdict, Zilabi received one year for the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and six months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” The court session, held on April 17, 2023, addressed these charges along with two other charges of “membership in anti-regime groups” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

It should be noted that Zilabi is also facing the charge of “spreading falsehood” in another ongoing legal case.

Zilabi has been a legal representative for the Syndicate of Workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company and has represented several recently arrested individuals, including media activist Mehrnoosh Tafian, journalist Mandanda Sadeghi, and student activist Ronak Rezaie. Zilabi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

 

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Eight Workers’ Rights Activists Detained in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Abdollah Kheirabadi, Eghbal Pishkari, Habibollah Karimi, Hajar Saeedi, Hayat Mahmoodi, Kamal Karimi, Sanandaj, Shadman Abdi, Sirvan Mahmoodi

Eight workers’ rights activists were apprehended on May 17, 2023, by intelligence agents in Sanandaj and transported to a local detention facility.

The activists who were arrested are Hajar Saeedi, Abdollah Kheirabadi, Shadman Abdi, Kamal Karimi, Khabat Mahmoodi, Sirvan Mahmoodi, Eghbal Pishkari, and Habibollah Karimi.

The arrests took place at the residence of the father of Hooman Abdollahi who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.
The specific reasons for these arrests and the allegations against the activists are currently undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Hajar Saeedi has previously been subjected to detention for her activism.

 

Two Citizens Arrested by Intelligence Agents in Fanuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolsattar Raisi, Fanuj, Nima Javadifar, Sistan and Baluchestan

On May 14, 2023, intelligence agents apprehended Abdolsattar Raisi and Nima Javadifar in Fanuj, taking them to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, citing Haal Vsh, Abdolsattar Raisi (19) and Nima Javadifar (19) were reportedly arrested in Fanuj, Sistan and Baluchestan province on May 14, 2023.

Sources indicate that these individuals were taken into custody at their residences, and their families’ inquiries regarding their whereabouts and conditions remain unanswered. The reasons behind their arrests and allegations against them remain unknown.

Hadi Cheraghi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Hadi Cheraghi, Mahsa Amini, Tehran

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Hadi Cheraghi has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Cheraghi was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Tehran by security forces and subsequently held in Great Tehran Penitentiary following the interrogation.

Judge Iman Afshari, overseeing the case, handed down a three-year sentence to Cheraghi for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to an informed source speaking to HRANA, Cheraghi was denied access to legal representation throughout the entire legal proceedings.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

 

Maryam Derisi Imprisoned in Adelabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Kazerun, Maryam Derisi

On May 15, 2023, Maryam Derisi, a Master’s student at the University of Saveh, went to Shiraz to start serving her 15-month sentence in Adelabad prison.

The Fars Court of Appeals convicted Derisi of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a 15-month sentence. Additionally, she received a sentence of seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the 15-month term has become enforceable.

Initially, the Kazerun Revolutionary Court had imposed a sentence of one year and 74 lashes for one case and three years for another legal case.

On October 15, 2022, security forces arrested Derisi in Shiraz and jailed her in Adel-Abad Prison. On November 2, she was released on bail.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

Mehdi Mohebi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Mehdi Mohebi, The Tehran Revolutionary Court

Mehdi Mohebi, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Mohebi was arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests and subsequently incarcerated at the Great Tehran Penitentiary following the indictment process.

Iman Afshari, the judge presiding over the case, sentenced Mohebi to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”
An informed source told HRANA that Mohebi was denied access to a lawyer throughout the entire legal proceedings.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.