Category: Freedom of Expression

Iran Protests: Eleven Defendants Sentenced to a Total of 79 Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moazzami Goodarzi, Amin-Mehdi Shokrollai, Amir-Mohammad Jafari, Arian Farzamnia, Farzaneh Ghareh-Hassanlou, Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou, hayan Charani, Hossein Mohammadi, Karaj, Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammad Hosseini, Mohammad-Amin Akhlaghi Savojbolaghi, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, Reza Aria

The Chief Justice of Alborz Province announced that eleven defendants of a legal case, known as “the murder of a Basij militia force Ruhollah Ajamian,” have been sentenced to a total of 79 years in prison. The charges against three other co-defendants were dropped, and they were released after being pardoned. These people were previously arrested over the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim news agency, 11 people, arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests, were sentenced to a total of 79 years in prison.

Without mentioning the charges, the Chief Justice of Alborz Province stated that according to this verdict, Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou was sentenced to 15 years, Reza Aria, Hossein Mohammadi, Mehdi Mohammadi and Arian Farzamnia to ten years, Mohammad-Amin Akhlaghi Savojbolaghi, Amin-Mehdi Shokrollai and Farzaneh Ghareh-Hassanlou, to five years, and Shayan Charani, Amir-Mohammad Jafari and Ali Moazzami Goodarzi to three years.

With re-examination, the charges against three other defendants, Behrad Ali Kenari, Javad Zargaran and Reza Shaker Zavardehi were changed from “spreading corruption on earth” to “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” Consequently, these defendants were granted pardons and set free.

“These verdicts are not finalized and defendants can bring an appeal to the Supreme Court within the deadline period,” he added.

On January 7, 2023, two other defendants of this legal case, Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini were executed.

These individuals were arrested in Karaj over the murder of a Basij militia force Ruhollah Ajamian” during the protest.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

 

Former Political Prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh

On April 17, 2023, security forces arrested former political prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh in Tehran and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 17, 2023, Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh was arrested in Tehran.

The location of his detention and allegations are still unknown.

Yeganeh was also arrested by security forces over protests, for a short time on February 25, 2023.

The Ministry of Intelligence agents previously arrested Yeganeh in September 2017. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime, blasphemy, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” This verdict was upheld on appeal. Ultimately, on February 4, 2020, he was jailed in Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

After the fire incident at Evin Prison on October 15, 2022, Yeganeh was relocated to Rajai Shahr Prison, and after a while, he was released from jail without prior notice.

 

Journalist Elaheh Mohammadi Still Detained After Six Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elaheh Mohammadi, Ham-Mihan, Mahsa Amini, Qarchak Prison, Saeed Para, Varamin

Elaheh Mohammadi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Ham-Mihan, has been in detention for over six months in Qarchak Prison, Varamin, with an unclear status regarding due process.

Mohammadi’s husband, Saeed Para, stated, “Her lawyer does not have access to the legal files… no matter how much we tried, we did not receive any answers from the officials. From the prosecutor’s office to the court, they all breach the procedural law.”

“We met with as many officials as we could and waited for hours and days in front of Evin courthouse and judicial offices, we obtained even an urgent review order, but in the end, it went nowhere. Despite all promises, our request remains unanswered, and we are still at square one,” Parsa added.

On September 29, 2022, security forces arrested Mohammadi following her travel to Saqqez and publishing a report on the funeral of Mahsa Amini.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Iran Protests: Three Members of Family Still Detained in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardavan Fallahi, Arghvan Fallahi, Evin Prison, moharebeh, Nasrollah Fallahi, Tehran, the 2022 Nationwide Protests

Nasrollah Fallahi and his son and daughter, Ardavan and Arghavan, are still detained in Evin Prison, awaiting further legal proceedings. They were arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three members of a family, arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests, are in detention in Evin prison with an unclear status of due prosses.

According to attorney Erfan Karam-Veisi, they have been charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth through widespread actions against the country” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime.” This lawyer said that judicial officials did not allow him to represent this family.
Also, an informed source close to this family told HRANA, “The Investigation Office has held two sessions so far. However, they have not yet been indicted.”
On November 3, 2022, Ardavan Fallahi, age 24, was arrested in Isfahan and his father, age 66, and sister, age 22, the next day in Shiraz. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Abbas Sharifi Arrested in Behshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Sharifi, Behshahr, he 2022 nationwide protests, Sari

On April 11, Abbas Sharifi, a resident of Behshahr, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents and taken to a detention facility in Sari. He was previously arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 11, 2023, Abbas Sharifi was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents.

Abbas Sharifi’s brother, Mohammad Sharifi, stated, “IRGC intelligence agents arrested my brother at his home and took him to a detention facility in Sari.”

On October 1, 2022, security forces arrested Sharifi violently in Sari and transferred him to Sari Prison after seven days of holding him in a detention facility.

On November 13, 2022, the Sari Revolutionary Court sentenced Sharifi to 43 months in prison. On March 1, he was released on bail.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

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Journalist Saeed Seyf-Ali Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asal Esmailzadeh, Didban Iran news outlet, Evin Courthouse, Saeed Seyf-Ali

Saeed Seyf-Ali, the managing editor of the Didban Iran news outlet, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist Saeed Seyf-Ali was arrested by security forces.

Asal Esmailzadeh, Seyf-Ali’s wife, stated that her husband went to the courthouse on Tuesday, April 11, to inquire about his case, but was subsequently arrested. She added that she has not been informed about his whereabouts or the security institutions responsible for his arrest.

Earlier on January 7, 2023, Seyf-Ali was arrested after an appearance at Evin Courthouse and was released on bail of one billion Toman after eight days.

The reason for his arrest, his current location, and the specific allegations against him are still unknown.

 

Golrokh Iraee Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, golrokh iraee, Iman Afshari

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced former political prisoner Golrokh Iraee to seven years and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee was sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Iraee to six years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition, she has been banned from leaving the country, travelling to Tehran, and joining political and civil groups for two years. Her cell phone has also been confiscated by the court.

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

An informed source close to her family told HRANA, “the Judge sentenced Golrokh to six years despite the maximum five years sentence for the charge of assembly and collusion, determined in the Islamic penal code. The judge cited the possibility of reoffending as the reason for the longer sentence, even though Iraee has never been convicted of this crime in her previous legal cases.”

“Iraee and her family were told by security and judicial officials that the only way to avoid incarceration is to submit a written request for a pardon, which Iraee has repeatedly refused to do. As a result, Judge Afshsari has refused to grant her bail,” the source added.

On September 26, 2022, security forces arrested Iraee violently at her home in Tehran.

Iraee faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions. In the last case, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to three years and seven months, which was upheld later on appeal. Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years and one month was enforceable.

Also earlier, in April 2021, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her in absentia to one year and additional punishments for “propaganda against the regime.” She was released on Amol Perison on May 9, 2022.

 

Lawyer Mohammad Najafi Sentenced to Three Years and Paying a Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Khamenei, Arak, Mohammad Najafi, Sattar beheshti

The Criminal and Revolutionary Courts of Arak have sentenced lawyer Mohammad Najafi to a total of three years in prison and a fine for two parts of a legal case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammad Najafi, an attorney at law, was sentenced to three years and paying a fine for a legal case opened against him while he was in prison.

Najafi stated that he was sentenced to two years in prison and a 15-million-toman fine by Branch 106 of the Arak Criminal Court for “spreading falsehood” and to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime”.

Najafi clarified that he did not attend the court and did not object to the verdict nor submit a plea of no contest for any part of the legal case. He stated that the reason for this legal case was due to his submission of a voice recording in prison showing support for the nationwide protests, which led to charges against his sister and brother as well.

Najafi has faced several other legal cases on prior occasions. In his last legal case, for the first part, he received three years in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran and four months for spreading falsehood. In December 2018, for the second part of this legal case, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “collaborating with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC.”

For the first part, he was pardoned and released from jail under a “pardon and commute” directive approved by Iran’s Supreme Leader. However, four days later, he was re-arrested and jailed in Arak Prison for the second part of this case.

In another legal case, Najafi received two years in prison and a fine for spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion after writing an open letter addressing Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. This verdict was upheld on appeal. He was given this sentence while he had already been sentenced to one year in prison for the same charges in December 2018.

Furthermore, in February 2020, Najafi received six months in prison for attending and giving a speech at a ceremony in commemoration of Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who was tortured and killed in custody.

Ultimately, from all the above charges, Najafi received 10 years in prison for the charge of “collaboration with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC,” which was the charge with the severest punishment. This sentence was later reduced to four years and six months.

 

 

 

Jina Modarresi Gorji Arrested in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Jina Modarresi Gorji, Sanandaj

On April 10, 2023, security forces arrested Jina Modarresi Gorji in Sanandaj and took her to the Sanandaj Correctional Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on April 10, 2023, Jina Modarresi Gorji was arrested by security forces in Sanandaj.

Security forces arrested Gorji violently and took her to the Sanandaj Correctional Prison. In recent days, she reportedly had been summoned to appear in Sanandaj Court, both in writing and via phone.

On September 21, 2022, Gorji was arrested during nationwide protests. On October 30, she was released on bail from the Sanandaj Correctional Prison. She has been reportedly accused of “forming a group to overthrow the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Majid Khademi Sentenced to over Ten Years and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, Mahshahr, Majid Khademi, Mehran Gharebaghi, Mehran Mehman-Navaz

The Mahshahr Revolutionary Court sentenced Majid Khademi, a resident of Behbahan, to ten years and one month and additional punishments. If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years and three months for one count will be enforceable to him.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Majid Khademi, age 31, was sentenced to over ten years in prison.

Khademi was given by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Mehran Mehman-Navaz, six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and four months for “propaganda against the regime,” and two years and six months for “membership in anti-regime groups.”

Additionally, Khademi was sentenced to two years of exile in Taft County, Yazd Province, a ban from membership in civil or political groups and mandatory participation in orientation classes.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years and three months for the “assembly and collusion” charge will be enforceable.

Moreover, Khademi faces other charges for the second part of his legal case, which has been delivered to Behbahan Criminal Court.

On January 18, 2020, IRGC Intelligence arrested Khademi and Mehran Gharebaghi and transferred them to a detention facility in Behbahan City. After one month of interrogation, they were relocated to Behbahan Prison.

They were later indicted for “propaganda against the regime, participating in the destruction of public property, producing non-military explosive materials, membership in one of the anti-regime parties (The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran) and spreading corruption on earth.”

On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on a 2.5 billion-toman bail until the end of legal proceedings.