Category: Freedom of Expression

Four Teachers’ Union Activists in Khuzestan Sentenced to a Total of 24 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
ahvaz, Ali Koroushat, HRANA, Iranian Teacher Union Activist, Kokab Bodaqi-Panah, Pirooz Nami, Siamak Sadeghi Chehrazi

Siamak Sadeghi Chehrazi, Kokab Bodaqi-Panah, Pirooz Nami, and Ali Koroushat, teachers’ union activists in Khuzestan, have been sentenced by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to a combined total of 24 years in prison in a joint case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the four union activists were sentenced by Branch 3 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, they were verbally informed of their sentences. Each was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” amounting to a total of 24 years for all four activists.

The court hearing for their case took place on November 6, 2024, in the same branch.

Kokab Bodaqi-Panah, a teachers’ union activist in Khuzestan, had previously been charged by Branch 13 of the Prosecutor’s Office in Ahvaz in October 2024 and was released on bail following her indictment.

Siamak Sadeghi Chehrazi, Pirooz Nami, and Ali Koroushat have faced prior legal actions due to their union activities.

Saeed Esmaeil Mazraeh Arrested in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Saeed Esmaeil Mazraeh, اسماعیل مزرعه

Yesterday, Saeed Esmaeil Mazraeh, a writer and researcher residing in Ahvaz, was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home and transferred to an undisclosed location. During the raid, agents searched his home and confiscated some of his digital belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the arrest took place on Monday, January 6, 2025. Agents searched Mr. Mazraeh’s residence, seizing personal items including his mobile phone and computer.

HRANA’s sources indicate that Mr. Mazraeh, who suffers from kidney disease, remains in an unknown condition, raising his family’s concerns about his health and fate. The reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Saeed Esmaeil Mazraeh, 32, is married and resides in Ahvaz. He holds a master’s degree in literature, works as a researcher, and has authored several books.

Ayoub Gheibipour Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Ayoub Gheibipour, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman prison, Qassem Soleimani

Ayoub Gheibipour Hajivar, one of the detainees from the 2022 nationwide protests, was arrested by security forces in Ahvaz yesterday and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, a source close to Gheibipour’s family confirmed the news, stating:
“Yesterday, IRGC intelligence agents first went to Mr. Gheibipour’s family home in Ahvaz. After learning he was not home, they went to the gym where he was training and arrested him there. The agents also confiscated the gym’s CCTV cameras. His current location remains unknown.”

The source added: “Mr. Gheibipour has not received any summons to serve his sentence. It is likely that his arrest is connected to his activities.”
In April of 2024, the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced Gheibipour on charges of arson, destruction of public property, and propaganda against the regime. He was given a 10-year prison term in exile in Kerman Prison for “moharebeh” (enmity against God) and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” One of the charges cited against him was “burning a statue of Qassem Soleimani.”

Initially, this verdict was overturned by Branch 20 of the Supreme Court and sent back for retrial. The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court reinstated the same sentence, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court in late October 2024.

Gheibipour was previously arrested in November 2022 during the nationwide protests and detained at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. He was eventually released on February 13, 2024, after posting a bail of 3 billion tomans. During his detention, he was denied adequate medical care.

Jalil Kheirkhah Arrested and Transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Jalil Kheirkhah, Lakan prison, Rasht, Shaft County, جلیل خیرخواه

On Sunday, January 5, 2025, security forces arrested Jalil Kheirkhah, a resident of Shaft County in Gilan Province, at his home. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, reported that a source close to Mr. Kheirkhah’s family confirmed the arrest. “Security forces detained him at his residence this morning and later took him to Lakan Prison in Rasht,” the source stated.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Kheirkhah faces charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

This is not the first time Mr. Kheirkhah has been targeted by authorities. He has previously been arrested for his activities, highlighting a pattern of ongoing pressure on him.

Salam Azari Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison by Mahabad Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Naqadeh, Salam Azari, سلام آذری

Salam Azari, a resident of Naqadeh, has received a one-year and six-month prison sentence from Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Doosti.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the court convicted Mr. Azari of “membership in one of the opposition parties,” resulting in a one-year prison term, and “propaganda against the regime,” adding an additional six months.

Security forces arrested Salam (Shahin) Azari in Naqadeh in November 2023, during a raid on his family home. They transferred him to a security detention facility in Urmia, where he underwent interrogation, before moving him to Naqadeh Prison.

In February 2023, Mr. Azari was released on bail after spending several months in detention.

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Political Prisoner Hossein Yazdi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Hossein Yazdi, Isfahan, حسین یزدی

Hossein Yazdi, a political activist, has been sentenced to one year in prison and additional penalties by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.

The verdict, issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan, convicted Mr. Yazdi of “propaganda against the regime,” sentencing him to one year in prison. He was also handed a two-year ban on leaving the country, a two-year prohibition from online activity, a two-year deprivation of social rights under Article 26 of the Islamic Penal Code, and the confiscation of his mobile phone.

This political activist was arrested in July 2023 after reporting to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Isfahan and was subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. He was released on July 12, 2023, after posting bail.

Hossein Mohammadi Yazdi, a political activist and former director of the Mobin 24 website and the Iran Times news channel, has a history of arrests and legal confrontations.

Christian Convert Ghazal Marzban Sentenced to Prison, Flogging, and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Ghazal Marzban, HRANA, Iman Afshari

Ghazal Marzban, a Christian convert detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six months in prison, 74 lashes, and supplementary penalties by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, citing Hyrakani, Ms. Marzban was convicted of “propaganda against the regime” and “appearing in public without a hijab.” The ruling, issued by Judge Iman Afshari, stipulates that one-third of the six-month prison sentence is enforceable, with the remaining portion suspended. Additionally, she has been sentenced to 74 lashes and a five-year ban on mobile phone use as supplementary punishment.

In protest against her ongoing detention and judicial uncertainty, Ms. Marzban began a hunger strike on December 22, which she ended after six days.

A convert to Catholic Christianity, Ms. Marzban was arrested on November 5 near Tehran’s Vali-e-Asr Square for chanting protest slogans. After being held at the Vozara Detention Center, she was transferred to Evin Prison’s women’s ward on November 7.

A source previously informed HRANA, “Ms. Marzban spoke out in the crowd, appealing to Pope Francis about the widespread poverty and oppression in Iran, urging him to respond to the actions of the Iranian government. Her arrest was unrelated to her faith and was solely due to her public protest.”

Ghazal Marzban Jorshari, 41, is a law graduate and a resident of Tehran.

Female Dentist Arrested by Security Forces Following Assault

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa, HRANA, Tehran

Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa, a dentist residing in Tehran, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa was arrested at her private residence on Wednesday, December 25. Reports indicate that her arrest involved physical assault.

A knowledgeable source confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that Ms. Parsa had previously been detained over issues related to hijab enforcement and writing posts about boycotting Iran’s presidential elections. She was released after signing a pledge.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

HRANA documented 1,505 cases of violations against freedom of thought and expression in Iran during 2024, with 1,591 individuals arrested.

Report on the Arrest of Four Citizens in West Azerbaijan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Afshin Khalifehzadeh, Amin Bazian, Jamal Sheikhehpour, Khaled Mohammadian, Mahabad, Sardasht

In recent days, four citizens named Khaled Mohammadian, Amin Bazian, Jamal Sheikhehpour, and Afshin Khalifehzadeh were arrested by security forces in Sardasht, Piranshahr, and Mahabad and transferred to undisclosed locations.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, early Sunday morning, December 29, Sheikhehpour and Khalifehzadeh were arrested in Mahabad. These individuals, residents of Qom Qaleh village in Mahabad county, were detained without judicial warrants and taken to unknown locations.

In a separate report, Kurdpa confirmed the arrest of a citizen in Sardasht identified as Khaled Mohammadian in Sardasht County. Security forces entered Mr. Mohammadian’s home early the previous morning, arrested him without presenting a warrant, and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, they also searched his home.

On Friday, December 27, another citizen, identified as Amin Bazian, aged around 28, a resident of Piranshahr, was arrested and taken to an unknown location.

The arrest of this individual was also carried out without a judicial warrant by security forces.

So far, no information is available regarding the reasons for the arrests or the charges brought against these citizens.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Political Ban for Former Isfahan City Council Member

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Mehdi Moghadari, مهدی مقدری

The Appeals Court of Isfahan Province has upheld the prison sentence and additional penalties imposed on Mehdi Moghadari, a former member of Isfahan’s City Council.

In its recent ruling, the court confirmed a one-year prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, it upheld a set of complementary penalties, including a travel ban, a prohibition on social media activity, and a two-year ban on participation in political groups, parties, and organizations.

The initial trial for Mr. Moghadari took place in Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. In August 2024, the court sentenced him to these penalties.

Mr. Moghadari was first arrested by security forces in late November 2022 in Isfahan. He was released from Dastgerd Prison in February 2023 under a general “pardon” directive. The former city council member has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activities.