Category: Freedom of Expression

Azerbaijani Turk Activist Abdollah Sadooghi Sentenced to Imprisonment 

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Sadooghi, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Tabriz

In a retrial, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz sentenced Azerbaijani Turk Activist Abdollah Sadooghi to three years and six months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Abdollah Sadooghi was sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz, Sadooghi was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment on the charges of “membership in separatist groups” and six months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. If the verdict is confirmed on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years and six months for the first charge will be enforceable.

Initially, Sadooghi had been sentenced to six years imprisonment in absentia. However, his request for a retrial was accepted.

On September 23, 2020, security forces arrested Sadooghi at his house in Tabriz. He was released after a while.

Sadooghi had previously been arrested and convicted for his civil activities.  

At Lease 20 Coffee Shop Closed in Shiraz

Posted on by A MN
Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Coffee Shop, Department of Public Safety, forced veiling, Go SkateBoarding Day, Shiraz, skateboarding

At least 20 coffee shops were shut down by the order of the Shiraz Department of Public Safety. In recent days in Shiraz, as a retaliation measure against a youth gathering to promote skateboarding on June 21, an annual ‘Go SkateBoarding Day’, authorities have taken strict measures to prevent similar cultural activities. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna News Agency, in Shiraz, at least 20 coffee shops were closed by the local authorities.

Earlier, on June 21, police arrested ten individuals for organizing a youth gathering called the “Go Skateboarding Day” event. Following the authorities’ requests for restrictive measures, the Shiraz Department of Public Safety shut down at least 20 coffee shops, which were considered skateboarding youth’s hangout locations.

According to one of the shop owners,  the police had warned that they want the coffee shops closed by night time. The police did not provide any written notice. The same individual said it is unclear when the coffee shops would re-open. 

 

The police and plainclothes agents have also increased the harassment of women in the streets allegedly for failing to comply with forced veiling. A few days after the event, some unverified pictures circulating on social media showed some individuals praying at the place of the event to repel the wrath of God for skateboarding.

Iran’s regime routinely violates citizens’ privacy rights and cultural activities, which they say are unlawful according to Islamic values.

Michael Menbari Arrested in Sanandaj

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Kurdpa, Michael Menbari, Sanandaj Prison

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, security forces arrested Michael Menbari in Sanandaj and took him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, Michael Menbari was arrested by security forces in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province.

According to an informed source, “Menbari was arrested by intelligence agents at a shop. The agents did not show an arrest warrant.”

The reason for Menbari’s arrest, his whereabouts and the charges against him are unknown so far.

Earlier on June 15, 2022, Menbari was arrested and jailed in Sanandaj Prison. At the time of his arrest, the intelligence agents searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings. On October 2, 2021, he was released on bail.  

Journalist Vida Rabbani Sentenced to Five Years Imprisonment

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Union of Islamic Iran People Party, Vida Rabbani

The Revolutionary Court sentenced journalist Vida Rabbani to five years imprisonment and additional punishments. Of this sentence, two years have been suspended.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Vida Rabbani, journalist and a member of the Union of Islamic Iran People Party, was sentenced to five years in prison.

In a post on social media, Rabbani stated that she has been charged with ” blasphemy “, “disrupting public order”, “inciting violence, assembly ad collusion to act against national security”, and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to Rabbani, activities such as retweeting posts or a poem were presented to create evidence for the charges of “blasphemy” and “assembly and collusion” in trials. 

As additional punishment, Rabbani has been banned from posting on social media, political activities, and gatherings.

On November 22, 2020, Vida Rabbani was arrested by security forces and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Twelve days later, in a phone call to her family, she informed them about her hunger strike. On December 20, 2020, she was released on bail.

Five Years Prison Sentence of Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour Upheld by Court of Appeals

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Kurdistan, Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour, Oshnavieh, Urmia

Recently, the Court of Appeal of West Azerbaijan Province upheld the verdict against Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour. Earlier, Hamzepour had been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, the five years sentence against Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour, a resident of Oshnavieh, was upheld on appeal.

Hamzehpour and four others had been charged with “membership in an anti-regime group.”

On December 14, 2020, security forces arrested Hamzehpour and took him to a detention facility in Urmia. On December 24 of that year, he was released on bail.

During detention, these individuals were denied access to a lawyer and family visits. 

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Political Prisoner Ahmadreza Haeri Arrested in Tehran

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmadreza Haeri, Cybercrime Court of Tehran, HRANA, The Black Thursday of Evin Prison, the Greater Tehran prison

On June 27, 2022, security forces arrested political prisoner Ahmadreza Haeri in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Emtedad News, on Monday, June 27, 2022, security forces arrested political prisoner Ahmadreza Haeri. The arrest was ordered by Branch 3 of the Interrogation Office of Evin Court.

Last week, IRGC agents raided and searched Haeri’s house and confiscated some of his personal belongings. During the search, Haeri was verbally instructed to appear at Evin Courthouse.

In October of last year, he was summoned to the Cybercrime Court of Tehran following a complaint from the Prisons Security and Corrective Measures Organization of Tehran Province (PSCMO).

Earlier, Ahmadreza Haeri had faced other arrests and convictions. On April 17, 2014, dozens of political prisoners in Ward 350 of Evin Prison were beaten brutally by security agents. In protest against this incident which is called “The Black Thursday of Evin Prison”, prisoners’ families and other individuals held protests in front of the Parliament and Judiciary, which led to the arrest of several protestors including Ahmadreza Haeri. One month later, he was sentenced to 42 months in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran.

This initial verdict was upheld on appeal. However, following his lawyer’s objection, Haeri’s verdict was revoked and this time the case was undertaken by Branch 54 of the court of appeals, which sentenced him to six months in prison and 74 lashes. 

On July 25, 2020, Haeri endured the flogging by the Intelligence and Public Security Police of NAJA and was sent to the Greater Tehran prison to serve his six-month sentence. On October 8, 2020, he was released on probation from the Greater Tehran prison.

Four Citizens Arrested in Oshnavieh

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News

On Monday, June 27, 2022, security forces arrested four individuals in Oshnavieh and transferred them to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Monday, June 27, 2022, four citizens identified as Yaghob Mahmmodi Azar, Bahman Mahommodi Azar, Ebrahim Azizi and his son Mohsen Azizi were arrested in Oshnavieh.

According to an informed source, the intelligence agents did not show arrest warrants.

The reasons for these arrests, the whereabouts of the individuals and the charges are unknown so far.

Lawyer and Human Rights Defender Amirsalar Davoudi Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Amirsalar Davoudi, Evin Prison

On June 26, 2022, lawyer and Human Rights Defender Amirsalar Davoudi was taken to prison to serve a ten-year sentence. Earlier, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced him to 14 years in prison, of which, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years is enforceable. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, June 26, 2022, lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi was taken to prison for sentencing. 

An informed source told HRANA that while Davoudi was at Evin Courthouse to inquire about his case, he was arrested for sentencing without prior notice.

On December 1, 2021, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal sentenced Davoudi to two years in prison on the charge of “offensive statements against the Supreme Leader of Iran”, two years for “disturbing public opinion” and ten years for “creating a group which threatens national security.” Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years in prison for the last charge is enforceable. 

Davoudi was arrested by security forces on November 20, 2018, and transferred to Evin prison. Before his arrest, the intelligence agents had searched his office and confiscated some of his documents and personal belongings. 

Amirsalar Davoudi is a member of the Iranian Bar Association, who has worked as an attorney for many political activists including Soheil Arabi, Zeynab Jalalian and Saeed Shirzad.

Majid Khademi Arrested upon Appearing at Court

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, IRGC Intelligence, Khuzestan, Majid Khademi, Mehran Ghareh-Baghi, Tilehkoohi

On Wednesday, Jun 22, 2022, Majid Khademi was arrested after an appearance at Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Bandar Mahshahr. He and the other defendant in this case, Mehran Ghareh-Baghi, had attended the court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Majid Khademi was arrested in Bandar Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province.

On January 18, 2020, IRGC Intelligence arrested Khademi and transferred him to a detention facility in Behbahan City. After one month of interrogation, he was relocated to Behbahan Prison.

Khademi  was later charged with “propaganda against the regime, participating in the destruction of public property, producing non-military explosive materials and Membership in one of the anti-regime parties and spreading corruption on earth.” Later, he was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans.

Majid Khademi is 30 years old and a resident of the village Tilehkoohi of Behbahan County, Khuzestan Province.

Iranian Teachers Protests Update: 230 Arrests during Last Two Months

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News

At least 230 teachers and teacher union activists have been arrested since early May, during the nationwide peaceful teachers’ protest. Additionally, at least 23 teachers have been summoned by security and judicial authorities. In some cases, the security forces used violence during the arrest, raided the teacher’s houses and conducted searches. 

During this period, active and retired teachers held protests on many occasions in different cities. During the protests, many teachers were beaten and several of them are detained and on hunger strike.

In late April, intelligence authorities began to summon and threaten teacher union activists. During Teacher Appreciation Week in Iran, active and retired teachers and educators held protests in front of the Ministry of Education in different cities. Their demands include the implementation of the “Job Ranking Plan” as passed in Iran’s parliament, closing the gap in pensions, free education for students, and a maximum class size of 16. 

Iran’s intelligence apparatus responded to widespread protests through arrests and the harassment of teacher union activists. At least 230 teachers have been arrested so far. In two protests in Tehran on April 21 and May 12, 70 protestors were arrested and taken to a detention facility, most of whom were released after a few hours. However, dozens of teachers are still in detention. In Saqqez, Kurdistan province, ten detained teacher union activists went on hunger strike in protest against their detention. 

The following is a list of detained teachers are verified by HRANA:

CityProvinceIdentified Arrests*Verified ReleasesSummoned by the security or judicial authorities
TehranTehran2931
SaqqezKurdistan2510 
ShirazFars205 
YasujKohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad1572
BushehrBushehr113 
MariwanKurdistan1043
QazvinQazvin90 
SanandajKurdistan7210
RashtGilan755
DivandarrehKurdistan61 
AhvazKhuzestan4445
YazdYazd30 
KermanKerman33 
KhomeynishahrIsfahan33 
JolfaEast Azerbaijan21 
MashhadRazavi Khorasan21 
IsfahanIsfahan22 
DashtiariSistan and Baluchestan10 
KhorramabadLorestan10 
PoldokhtarLorestan10 
HamedanHamedan10 
ZavehRazavi Khorasan10 
PasargadFars10 
DelfanLorestan10 
AligudarzLorestan11 
NajafabadIsfahan11 
LangerudGilan112
SariMazandaran11 
ArakMarkazi11 
AbharZanjan002
KermanshahKermanshah002
IzehKhuzestan001

*The figures are limited to cases identified by HRANA and the actual numbers may be higher.