Category: Freedom of Expression

Appeals Court Upholds Sentences for Four Defendants in Evin Prison Fire Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison fire, HRANA, Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh

The Tehran Provincial Appeals Court has upheld the sentences of Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Majid Roshannejad, and Reza Salmanzadeh, four defendants in the so-called Evin Prison fire case. Previously, Branch 1148 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced the group to a total of 33 years in prison and 518 lashes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentences were confirmed by the Appeals Court without a proper review of the case.

The original verdicts were issued on June 19, 2024, a day after the trial presided over by Judge Jabbar Javadi Rami. Aminpour, Dehbanzadeh, and Roshannejad were each sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of property,” an additional 16 months and 74 lashes for “disrupting prison order,” and another 16 months for “disobedience and resisting prison officials.” Salmanzadeh received five years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of property,” one year for “disrupting prison order,” and one year for “disobedience and resisting prison officials.”

A source close to one of the families told HRANA: “Despite objections filed by the defendants, neither they nor their lawyers were notified about the appeals process. The defense submissions prepared by their lawyers were ignored, and the sentences were upheld without any review in the Appeals Court.”

In addition to these four individuals, 36 other defendants in the Evin Prison fire case have also received prison sentences. HRANA is investigating the status of their appeals.

The prisoners are currently serving sentences from unrelated cases in the Greater Tehran and Ghezel Hesar prisons.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

Hamidreza Dastvaneh Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Hamidreza Dastvaneh, Yasuj Revolutionary Court, حمیدرضا دستوانه

Hamidreza Dastvaneh, a resident of Dehdasht, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by Judge Saeed Taheri Nesab of the Yasuj Revolutionary Court, operating from Branch 103 of the Dehdasht Criminal Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Dastvaneh was convicted in absentia on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” The verdict was recently issued and formally communicated to him.

Dastvaneh was initially arrested by security forces on September 10, 2024. After nearly a month in detention, he was released on bail on October 8, 2024.

Yashar Tabrizi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
aKBAR gHOLIZADEH, HRANA, Tabriz, Yashar Tabrizi, یاشار تبریزی

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Yashar Tabrizi, a civil activist, was arrested today after appearing at the News Office of the IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Tabrizi appeared at the News Office of the IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz at 8:00 AM. His family later learned of his arrest, and his wife’s mobile phone was also confiscated. So far, the reasons behind his arrest remain unclear.

On November 12, 2024, IRGC Intelligence forces searched the home of this civil activist in Tabriz. During the search, authorities instructed him to report to the News Office to answer a few questions posed by the prosecutor.

On September 13, 2023, Tabrizi was previously arrested by security forces in Tabriz. Shortly after, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, also known as Ward 240 of Evin Prison, to Ward 4 of the same prison. He was eventually released on bail on April 25, 2024.

In August 2023, Mr. Tabrizi was sentenced to one year in prison by the Shahriar Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Akbar Gholizadeh (also known as Yashar Tabrizi), a civil activist, has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activities.

 

Serveh Shiri and Peyman Shiri Sentenced to a Combined 14 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Peyman Shiri, Serveh Shiri

Serveh Shiri and Peyman Shiri, siblings and residents of Bukan, have been sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison by Branch 101 of the Second Criminal Court of Bukan.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, the court convicted the siblings on charges of “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups.” Serveh Shiri received an eight-month sentence, while Peyman Shiri was sentenced to six months.

In September 2024, security forces arrested Serveh and Peyman Shiri in Bukan and transferred them to a security detention center in Urmia. After spending some time in custody, they were released on bail pending trial.

Prisoner Executed in Khorramabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Khorramabad Prison, Mostafa Molayie

Yesterday, November 17, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Khorramabad Prison.

The prisoner has been identified as Mostafa Molayie by HRANA.

Reports indicate that Mr. Molayie was initially arrested on murder charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or related institutions.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

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Khashayar Sefidi Transferred to Evin Prison to Serve Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Evin Prison, Khashayar Sefidi, Toomaj Salehi, خشایار سفیدی

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Khashayar Sefidi, an expelled graduate student from Tehran University of Art, was transferred to Evin Prison to serve a one-year prison sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Sefidi, 32 years old, was detained after reporting to the Sentences Enforcement Branch of the Shahre Qods Prosecutor’s Office.

The Revolutionary Court had sentenced Mr. Sefidi to one year in prison on July 2, 2024, on charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic.” This conviction stemmed from a three-day sit-in protest he staged in solidarity with imprisoned artist Toomaj Salehi at the House of Music.

Earlier this year, Mr. Sefidi was expelled from Tehran University of Art, where he had been pursuing a master’s degree in music. Prior to his expulsion, the university’s disciplinary committee had suspended him for one term.

Jebreil Pakrooh Sentenced to Six Months for Spreading Falsehoods

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Pakrooh, HRANA, Jebreil Pakrooh, Tabriz, جبرئیل پاک روح

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, has been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Criminal Court in Tabriz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Pakrooh was sentenced in absentia by Branch 109 of the Second Criminal Court of Tabriz. The charges stem from “spreading falsehoods on the Internet,” for which he received a six-month prison sentence. Additionally, the court ordered him to “publishing a statement retracting his false information and issuing a formal apology through an official news outlet.”

The case against Mr. Pakrooh was initiated following a complaint filed by Ali Abbaszadeh, an official in The Law Enforcement Command of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police.

A source close to Mr. Pakrooh’s family told HRANA: “In 2021, Mr. Pakrooh was arrested over a financial case. During his detention, he was beaten by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department. He later experienced severe dizziness, prompting medical examinations that revealed he had suffered internal bleeding in his head due to blows inflicted during his detention. He underwent urgent surgery to remove the clotted blood, but the complications persist. He has now lost the ability to walk and suffers from blurred vision and motor issues in his hands.”

The source added: “After being beaten by officers at the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Pakrooh filed a complaint against them. Concurrently, he posted online content protesting the officers’ violence. This ultimately led to the complaint by the Legal Affairs Office of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police against him.”

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, was arrested by security forces on Monday, May 13, 2024, and released on bail a day later.

Pakrooh, aged around 59, is the father of Farhad Pakrooh, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. He has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his own and his son’s activities.

 

Kourosh Jalil Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Boyer-Ahmad, Kourosh Jalil, Yasuj

Kourosh Jalil has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Boyer-Ahmad County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the verdict was recently issued and officially communicated to Mr. Jalil. He was convicted of “continuous propaganda against the regime.”

This is not the only case against Mr. Jalil. In late September, he was sentenced to three years in prison by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of Boyer-Ahmad County. That ruling was based on charges of “participating in an illegal gathering,” “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “blasphemy through his Instagram activities.”

HRANA’s sources indicate that another hearing is scheduled for November 5 in Branch 108 of the Criminal Court of Boyer-Ahmad County. This session will address additional charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “spreading false information online to disturb public opinion.”

Jalil was first arrested on May 24 this year by agents of the Yasuj Ministry of Intelligence. After a brief period in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, he was transferred to Yasuj Prison. He was later released on bail on June 24.

Jalil, a 43-year-old resident of Yasuj, has previously encountered law enforcement and undergone prior arrest due to his activism.

Revolutionary Court of Isfahan Sentences 22 Political Defendants to 161 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Ajamian, Amir Salari, Bahar Soleimani, Erfan Khalilian, Hoda Sadeghi, Kian Talebi, Marjan Beshtam, Maryam Farhang, Mehrshad Borjiyan, Mehshad Kashani, Mina Nedaei, Minoo Heidari, Mohammad Sokhanvar, Mohammad Tavakoli, Mohammadreza Ghotbizadeh, Parsa Haji Aghaei, Pouya Dana, Pouya Talebian, Roozbeh Dana, Shamim Baharzadeh, Sima Torkian, Zeinab Parandeh

Judge Mohammad Tavakoli of Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan has sentenced 22 political defendants to a total of 161 years in prison along with additional penalties.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the defendants were sentenced based on charges related to their political activities.

The court orally delivered the sentences in early-November. Samaneh (Sama) Amooshahi received 23 years in prison; Marjan Beshtam and Minoo Heidari each received 11 years; Shamim Baharzadeh received 8 years; and 17 others, including Mehshad Kashani, Hoda Sadeghi, Erfan Khalilian, Mehrshad Borjian, Pouya Talebian, Maryam Farhang, Kian Talebi, Mina Nedaei, Roozbeh Dana, Pouya Dana, Bahar Soleimani, Mohammadreza Ghotbizadeh, Sima Torkian, Zeinab (Maryam) Parandeh, Mohammad Sokhanvar, Amir Ajamian, Parsa Haji Aghaei, and Amir Salari, were each sentenced to 6 years.
Additionally, all 22 defendants were sentenced to two years of travel bans and restrictions on online activities as complementary punishments.

Details of Sentences for Each Individual:

  1. Samaneh (Sama) Amooshahi
    Samaneh suffers from thyroid cancer and was denied medical care during her detention. She was sentenced to:

    • 10 years for forming a group to disrupt national security,
    • 1 year for propaganda against the regime,
    • 2 years for insulting the Supreme Leader,
    • 5 years for membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security,
    • 5 years for inciting people to violence with the intent to disrupt national security.

    Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, 10 years, is enforceable. Of this, 8 years have been suspended for 5 years.

  2. Marjan Beshtam
    A 43-year-old and the sole provider for her family, Marjan was sentenced to:

    • 10 years for forming a group to disrupt national security,
    • 1 year for propaganda against the regime.

    Under Article 134, the 10-year sentence is enforceable, with 8 years suspended for 5 years.

  3. Minoo Heidari
    Minoo was sentenced to:

    • 1 year for propaganda against the regime,
    • 5 years for membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security,
    • 5 years for inciting people to violence with the intent to disrupt national security.

    Under Article 134, the 5-year sentence is enforceable, with 4 years and 6 months suspended for 10 years.

  4. Shamim Baharzadeh
    Shamim was sentenced to:

    • 5 years for membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security,
    • 1 year for propaganda against the regime,
    • 2 years for insulting the Supreme Leader.

    Under Article 134, the 5-year sentence is enforceable, with 4 years and 6 months suspended for 10 years.

  5. Hoda Sadeghi and the rest of the defendants
    Sadeghi and others were sentenced to:

    • 5 years for membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security,
    • 1 year for propaganda against the regime.

    Under Article 134, the 5-year sentence is enforceable, with 4 years and 6 months suspended for 10 years.

The trial took place on October 8, 2023, in the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, presided over by Judge Tavakoli. According to a source close to one of the families, the hearing was conducted publicly for all 22 defendants simultaneously in the court’s prayer hall due to space limitations.

The defendants were arrested on different dates in 2023. Several, including Maryam Parandeh, Mina Nedaei, her husband Roozbeh Dana, and others, were detained by security forces on July 11. Maryam Farhang and Pouya Talebian were arrested on August 6, and Mehrshad Borjian and Pouya Dana on August 2 in Isfahan.

During interrogations, male defendants were reportedly beaten by an interrogator known as “Doctor,” while female defendants faced psychological abuse.

The cases were initially investigated by Branch 13 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Isfahan, presided over by Investigator Ali Sabbagh, before being referred to the Revolutionary Court.

The defendants were eventually released on bail from various detention centers, including Dastgerd and Dolatabad Prisons, the Juvenile Correction Center, and the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Isfahan.

Six Defendants in the “Ekbatan Town” Case Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Alireza Kafaei, Amir-Mohammad Khosh Eghbal, Babak Paknia, Ekbatan, Hossein Nemati, Milad Armoon, Navid Najaran

Milad Armoun (Armoon), Alireza Kafaei, Amir-Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, and Alireza Barmarz Pournak, defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Town” case, have been sentenced to death by Branch 13 of Tehran Criminal Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the defendants were convicted on charges of “participation in murder and intentional assault.” Babak Paknia, a defense attorney, confirmed the sentences, noting that while the court’s advisors upheld the death penalties, the presiding judge opposed the decision and issued a minority opinion. These verdicts are subject to appeal.

The final defense sessions were held on November 3, 2024. Following the hearings, four of the accused—Hossein Nemati, Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Alireza Kafaei, and Amir-Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal—were detained and transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

This case stems from protests in October 2022 at the Ekbatan Complex, during which a Basij member, Arman Ali Vardi, was killed. Security forces reportedly arrested over 50 residents from Ekbatan, with indictments later issued for 14 individuals.

The charges include “moharebeh” (enmity against God), “participation in premeditated murder,” and “disturbing public order.” The case has been reviewed by Branch 13 of Tehran Criminal Court and Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

While four of these defendants were temporarily released on bail in early 2024, several remain in custody.