Category: Freedom of Expression

Protestor Mina Yaghoubi Sentenced to Eleven Years and 85 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Mina Yaghoubi

Mina Yaghoubi, one of the defendants of a legal case known as “insulting the Martyrs’ cemetery of Arak”,  was sentenced to eleven years in prison, 85 lashes and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mina Yaghoubi was sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

In a video published on social media, Yaghoubi stated that the Revolutionary Court sentenced her to eight years and prohibited her from residing in the city of residence for two years. Additionally, the Criminal Court sentenced her to three years in prison, 85 lashes and 124 hours of cleaning graves as penal labor.

Without mentioning the charges, she stated that during the past three months, she did not speak out about these verdicts hoping that her lawyer’s objection led to commuting the sentences.

Yaghoubi was arrested and accused of throwing stones toward the Martyrs’ memorial gate of a cemetery in Arak.

At the time of her release from detention, a video of Yaghoubi showed bruises on her eyes after her release, indicating she has been tortured during detention.

Report on the Release of Prisoners in the Last 24 Hours

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Aakbar Naeimi, Asrin Darkaleh, Esmail Gerami, Farshad Ahmadi, Forough Taghipour, Kazem Alinejad Baraloo, Khadijeh Mehdipour, Mahsa Mohammadi, Maryam Mohammadi, Mehdi Abbaspour, Mohammad Rasoulof, Mojtaba Tavakol, Mostafa Abdi, Shahrooz Ramezan Afshar, Soheila Ojaghi, Tohid Goreishi, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

In the past 24 hours, several prisoners of conscience were released from different prisons across Iran. Although details of these releases are still unknown, they are likely released under recent approval to “pardon and commute” the sentence of some prisoners.

Of these pardoned prisoners, the most known prisoners are:

  1. Film Director Mohammad Rasoulof from Evin Prison
  2. Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Akbar Naeimi from Evin Prison
  3. Gonabadi Dervish Mostafa Abdi from Evin Prison
  4. Political prisoner Forough Taghipour from Evin Prison
  5. Women rights activist Maryam Mohammadi from Evin Prison
  6. Women rights activist Asrin Darkaleh from Evin Prison
  7. Political prisoner Kazem Alinejad Baraloo Evin Prison
  8. Farshad Ahmadi from Evin Prison
  9. Political prisoner Khadijeh Mehdipour from Ilam Prison
  10. Mahsa Mohammadi from Isfahan Prison
  11. Tohid Goreishi from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  12. Worker’s rights activist Esmail Gerami from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  13. Political prisoner Mojtaba Tavakol from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  14. Shahrooz Ramezan Afshar from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  15. Mehdi Abbaspour from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  16. Civil rights activist Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  17. Soheila Ojaghi from Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Moreover, the legal cases against Milad Alavi,(journalist), Elham Sayrafi and Amir Sheibani Zaveh were closed without further legal proceedings.

Earlier, the head of the Judiciary proposed the issuance of a pardon decree for some prisoners, including those arrested at recent protests, which was approved by Ali Khamenei under some conditions which the legal case should meet.

Journalist Siamand Mohtadi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Siamand Mohtadi

On February 11, 2023, security forces arrested journalist Siamand Mohtadi, a resident of Bukan, and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on February 11, 2023, Siamand Mohtadi was arrested by security forces.

He was reportedly arrested at his home. His whereabouts and the allegations are still unknown.

 

Report on the Release of Prisoners in the Last 24 Hours

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Amir Mehdi Khadem, Arash Ganji, Besmellah Barahooie, Ebrahim Sargolzaie, Elmira Rahmani, Esmail Sargolzaie, Fariba Adelkhah, Fariba Afshar, Khaled Pirzadeh, mir Abbas Azarmvand, Mohammad-Reza Moradi, Naser Hemmati, Nasrollah Lashti, Niloofar Mirzaie Bafti, Zahra Kashkaki

Following the approval of a proposal to “pardon and commute” the sentence of some prisoners, in the last 24 hours, several prisoners of conscience were released from prison.

Of these pardoned prisoners, the most known prisoners are:

  1. Amir Mehdi Khadem from Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan
  2. Mohammad-Reza Moradi from Great Tehran Penitentiary
  3. Nasrollah Lashti from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj
  4. Fariba Afshar (Baha’i citizen) from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
  5. Elmira Rahmani (Baha’i citizen) from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
  6. Niloofar Mirzaie Bafti from Evin Prison, Tehran
  7. Zahra Kashkaki from a prison in Tehran
  8. Naser Hemmati from a prison in Isfahan, and

Three underage prisoners, Besmellah Barahooie, Esmail Sargolzaie and Ebrahim Sargolzaie, were also released from the Correctional Center of Zahedan.

Details on these releases are still unknown. They are, however, likely released under the recent pardon decree issued for some prisoners, including those arrested at protests.

In recent days, other known prisoners, including Iranian-French academic Fariba Adelkhah, journalist Amir Abbas Azarmvand, writer Arash Ganji and political prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh, were released.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary and Public Prosecutor of Gachsaran announced the release of 106 convicts and defendants from Dogonbadan Prison, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

“The sentences of 60 prisoners have also been commuted,” he added.

Also, The Chief Justice of Kerman Province announced that about 1500 prisoners have been released in this province.

Earlier, the head of the Judiciary proposed the issuance of a pardon decree for some prisoners, including those arrested at recent protests, which was approved by Ali Khamenei under some conditions which the legal case should meet.

 

 

Farhad and Farzad Tahazadeh Indicted for “Enmity against God” and “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

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Freedom of Expression, News
aleh Nikbakht, Farhad Tahazadeh, Masoud Shams Nejad, Oshnavieh, Urmia

Brothers Farhad and Farzad Tahazadeh, arrested at recent nationwide protests, were indicted for “enmity against God (Moharebeh) ” and “spreading corruption on earth.” The case was delivered to the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

An informed source close to their family told HRANA that “a while ago, the Urmia Revolutionary and public prosecution office briefed Tahazadeh brothers about the charges of Moharebeh and spreading corruption on earth. After the indictment, the case was handed over to branch three of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.”

“Their lawyers, Masoud Shams-Nejad and Saleh Nikbakht, did not have any access to their client’s case until a few days ago,” the source added.

Tahazadeh brothers were arrested amid nationwide protests in Oshnavieh and jailed in Urmia Prison. It is still unknown which acts have been invoked as examples of these charges.

The charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) ” and “spreading corruption on earth” can result in severe punishment, even the death penalty.

 

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At Least 262 Prisoners Released from Prisons Across Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ali Khamenei, Golestan province, HRANA

In two recent days, dozens of prisoners were released from different prisons across the country.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, following the issuance of a pardon decree, at least 262 prisoners and detainees were released from prison across the country.
 
Details on these releases are still unknown. They are, however, likely released under the recent pardon decree issued for some prisoners, including those arrested at protests.
Following the issuance of this pardon, the Chief Justice of Golestan Province announced that 435 convicts and 80 defendants were pardoned, of which 234 people had already been set free.
 
Earlier, the head of the Judiciary proposed the issuance of a pardon decree for some prisoners, including those arrested at recent protests, which was approved by Ali Khamenei under some conditions which the legal case should meet.
 
 

Kourosh Jalil Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kourosh Jalil, Yasuj

The Criminal Court sentenced Kourosh Jalil, a resident of Yasuj, to one year in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kourosh Jalil was sentenced to one year in prison, including the pre-trial detention period, for “spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion.”

An informed source told HRANA that Jalil failed to appear at the court to defend himself since the intelligence agents had seized his cell phone; hence, he could not be informed about the court summons.

On September 21, 2022, security forces arrested Jalil in Yasuj and released him on bail on November 6, 2022. Before his arrest, he had been summoned by IRGC intelligence several times in recent months.

 

Six Women Released from Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Khamenei, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Evin Prison, Fariba Asadi, Gelareh Abbasi, Parastoo Moeinie, Shohreh Hosseini, Zahra Safaie

Fariba Asadi, Shohreh Hosseini, Gelareh Abbasi, Zahra Safaie, Parastoo Moeini and Alieh Motalebzadeh were released from Evin Prison.

Details on their releases are still unknown. It is likely, however, that they have been released under the recent pardon decree.
Gelareh Abbasi was previously sentenced to two years and six months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Hosseini was serving her two-year and seven-month sentence since February last year.

Safaie and her daughter Moeini were previously sentenced to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, Safaie received two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran.” Safaie’s verdict was upheld on appeal, but her daughter’s sentence was reduced to three years and nine months following her refusal not to lodge an appeal. They faced new legal cases, while they were imprisoned.

Asadi faced two legal cases for which she received three months in prison and four years of suspended imprisonment.
Motalebzadeh had been sentenced to three years in prison, of which two years were enforceable. On October 11, 2020, she was jailed in Evin Prison for sentencing. In July 2022, she and 13 other female prisoners faced new charges.

Earlier, the head of the Judiciary proposed the issuance of a pardon decree for some prisoners, including those arrested at recent protests, which was approved by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei under some conditions which the legal case should meet.

Iran Protests: Siamak Davoodi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kurdpa, Sanandaj, Siamak Davoodi

The Sanandaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Siamak Davoodi to three years in prison. He was arrested at his workplace amid nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Siamak Davoodi was sentenced to three years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

On October 27, 2022, security forces arrested Davoodi at his workplace in Sanandaj and took him to a detention facility at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence. He was released on bail on January 21, 2023.

Since the beginning of nationwide protests, over 19620 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. So far, over protests, at least 777 people have been sentenced to a total of about 14063 months imprisonment.

 

Iran Protests: Student Mohammad Masoud Eskandari Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Microbiology, Mohammad Masoud Eskandari, Shahrekord, University of Shahrekord

Mohammad Masoud Eskandari, a student at the University of Shahrekord, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, two years of suspended imprisonment and paying a fine. Eskandari was arrested during nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Iranian Students’ Union, student Mohammad Masoud Eskandari was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Eskandari received this verdict for “blasphemy, insulting the current and former Supreme Leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime.
Eskandari is a Ph.D. student at the University of Shahrekord in Microbial biotechnology. On November 14, 2022, security forces arrested him at protests and released him on bail after five days of detention.