Category: Freedom of Expression

Student Samaneh Asghari Still Detained after Three Months

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Erfan Karim-Veisi, Evin Prison, Kharazmi University, Qarchak Prison, Samaneh Asghari

Samaneh Asghari, a student at Kharazmi University, is still detained in Qarchak Prison, Varamin, for over three months. The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Shahr-e-Rey recently filed an indictment against her.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, student Samaneh Asghari is still detained for over three months.

Her lawyer, Erfan Karim-Veisi, announced, Asghari has been charged with “assembly and collusion against national security, disturbing public order, inciting people to commit violence and murder, propaganda against the regime and provoking women to be present in public without Hejab, membership in groups to act against national security and spreading falsehood.”

He also stated that the court refused to grant a release on bail.
On October 11, 2022, security forces arrested Asghari and jailed her in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After a while, she was relocated to Qarchak Prison.

Lawyer Behzad Hakimizadeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behzad Hakimizadeh, Saqqez

On Monday, January 9, security forces arrested attorney at law Behzad Hakimizadeh at his home in Saqqez and took him to a detention facility in this city.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 9, 2023, lawyer Behzad Hakimizadeh was arrested in Saqqez.

The reason for his arrest and the allegations against him are still unknown.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, about 19400 people, including journalists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

Reporter Nasim Soltan Beigi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iran Jalili, Nasim Soltan Beigi

Yesterday, security forces arrested reporter and former student activist Nasim Soltan Beigi at the airport and took her to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 11, 2023, Nasim Soltan Beigi, a reporter and former student activist, was arrested by security forces at the airport while leaving the country.

Her mother, Iran Jalili, wrote on social media, “last night, my daughter was arrested at the airport while she was leaving the country. Her cell phone went off when she went to get her boarding pass. After a few hours, in a short phone call, she informed us that she was arrested and her belongings were confiscated.”
Soltan Beigi faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions.

The reason for this arrest and her whereabouts are still unknown.

 

Translator Nazanin Keynejad Sentenced to Four Years Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Rezakhani, Evin Prison, Nazanin Keynejad

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced translator Nazanin Keynejad to four years in prison, banned from leaving the country and other social deprivations for two years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, translator Nazanin Keynejad was sentenced to imprisonment.

According to her spouse, Babak Rezakhani, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by judge Salavati, sentenced Keynejad to four years in prison. She was also banned from leaving the country, membership in political parties and groups, and activities on social media for two years.

On October 8, 2022, security forces arrested Keynejad at her house in Tehran and took her to Evin Prison. After a while, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

Iranian Jewish Citizen El Nathan Masih Israelian Released from Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
El Nathan Masih Israelian, Evin Prison, Iranian Jewish Citizen

On January 7, 2023, Iranian Jewish citizen Elnathan Masih Israelian was released on bail from Evin Prison. In Late October 2022, security forces arrested him.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an Iranian Jewish citizen, identified by HRANA as Elnathan Masih Israelian was released on bail.

The reason, the charges for Israelian’s arrest and the security intelligence responsible for his arrest are still unknown. However, in early November, Kaan News Agency reported the arrest of three Jewish-Iranian individuals during nationwide protests. Israelian is likely one of the three people mentioned in Kaan’s report.

Due to the Iranian regime’s hostility to Israel, the Iranian Jewish community is living in constant fear of vindictive prosecution from the regime. Consequently, since the 1979 revolution, the Jewish community population has been reduced from one hundred thousand to below ten thousand.

 

 

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Journalist Ehsan Pirbornash Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behnaz Mirmotahharian, Ehsan Pirbornash, Sari

The Sari Revolutionary Court sentenced journalist and humour columnist Ehsan Pirbornash to 18 years in prison. If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years in prison for one count will be enforceable.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist Ehsan Pirbornash was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

His wife, Behnaz Mirmotahharian stated: “despite having a certificate of penal intolerance, Pirbornash was sentenced to 18 years in prison, of which 10 years is enforceable.”
On October 28, 2022, security forces arrested Pirbornash and after 12 days jailed him from a detention facility in Qaemshahr Prison.
The charges against Pirbornash are still unknown.
 
 

Workers’ Rights Activist Keyvan Mohtadi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadaollahi, Evin Prison, Keyvan Mohtadi, ward 209

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced workers’ rights activist Keyvan Mohtadi to six years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Keyvan Mohtadi was sentenced to five years on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

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

On May 9, 2022, security forces arrested Mohtadi and his partner, Anisha Asadaollahi, at their house and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran.

Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi had been arrested and convicted before for their civil activities. On May 1, 2019, with many other workers and worker’s rights activists, Anisha Asadaollahi was arrested at a gathering for the celebration of international workers’ day. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced her to one-year imprisonment (of which six months were suspended) and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing the public order”. She was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing on January 4, 2020, and was freed on January 21 of that year.

Three Death Sentences and 58 Years Imprisonment for Five Protestors

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

In a legal case over protests in Isfahan, Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi were sentenced to death and a total of 30 years in prison on several charges, including “enmity against God” (Moharebeh). Also, two other co-defendants, football player Amir Nasr Azadani and Soheil Jahangiri, were sentenced to 26 years and 2 years, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan, Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi, were sentenced to death.

On November 16, 2022, during Isfahan protests in Mahallah Khaneh and Malek Shahr districts, Colonel Esmail Cheraghi and two Basij Militia Forces Mohammad-Hossein Karimi and Mohsen Hamidi were killed.

 

According to these verdicts, each of these individuals was sentenced to death on “enmity against God” and ten years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The fourth-row defendant Amir Nasr Azadani was sentenced to 16 years for “assisting in enmity against God”, 5 years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” and 5 years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The fifth-row defendant Soheid Jahangiri was sentenced to two years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” The sixth-row defendant Jaber Mirhashemi was acquitted of all counts.

Imprisoned Teacher Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi Receives Additional Three Years Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi, Iranian Teachers Trade Association

The Kashan Criminal Court sentenced imprisoned teacher Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi to three years for the second part of his legal case. He was previously sentenced to 22 months and social deprivations for the first part of this case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association Telegram channel, teacher, writer and translator Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi was sentenced to three years.

According to this verdict, Nasrabadi received two years in prison for “spreading falsehood” and one year for “the contempt of judicial authority’s order.”

Nasrabadi is currently imprisoned in Kashan Prison to serve his 22-month sentence for the first of this legal case. The security forces arrested him in Kashan on October 19, 2022.

Iran Protests: Parisa Nikkhoo Sentenced to Two Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Parisa Nikkhoo, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

The Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced Parisa Nikkhoo to two years in prison. Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years in prison. She is currently jailed in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Parisa Nikkhoo, arrested at recent protests, was sentenced to two years in prison on appeal.

An informed source told HRANA, “Nikkhoo did not have a right to choose a lawyer. She was charged with assembly and collusion against national security and disturbing public order. The judicial authorities promised her a release on bond if she pleaded guilty.”

“The judge granted a 600 million-toman bail, but she cannot afford this bail.”

On September 24, 2022, Nikkhoo, age 36, was arrested at protests in Tehran and taken to a police station and then to Qarchak Prison. The informed source said she had bruises on her body during custody at the police station.