Category: Freedom of Expression

Mohammad Ahmadi, Creator of “Dialogue Iran,” Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dialogue Iran, Mohammad Ahmadi

Mohammad Ahmadi, a social researcher and creator of the talk show Dialogue Iran, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, October 8, and taken to an undisclosed location.

Although the exact reason for Mr. Ahmadi’s arrest remains unclear, it is speculated that his detention may be connected to the interviews and discussions aired on his YouTube channel, Dialogue Iran.

Ahmadi, known for his work in social research, has used the Dialogue Iran platform to engage in critical conversations and explore social issues. The program, broadcast on YouTube, has gained attention for its candid discussions on various topics.

Journalist Hossein Jafarian Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhang Ajabshir, HRANA, IRIB, Jafarian

Hossein Jafarian, a journalist from Ajabshir located East Azerbaijan province, has been sentenced to 13 months and 16 days in prison by the Second Criminal Court of this city.

A source told HRANA, “Based on the verdict issued by the Second Criminal Court of Ajabshir on Sunday, October 6, 2024, and communicated to Mr. Jafarian, he was sentenced to 13 months and 16 days in prison for the charge of ‘spreading false information on the Internet.’”

The source added that the basis for the charge was related to his stories published on his personal Instagram account.

Jafarian is a journalist for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and the manager of the virtual media outlet Farhang Ajabshir. He also has a background working with Fars News Agency.

Edris Karsaz Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Edris Karsaz, Idris Karsaz, Oshnavieh, Urmia

Edris (Idris) Karsaz, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of this city, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Based on the verdict recently communicated to Mr. Karsaz, the Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years in prison for charges related to “membership and collaboration with an anti-regime group.”

On July 3, 2023, Edris Karsaz was arrested by security forces at his home in Oshnavieh without a judicial warrant and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia. He was eventually released on bail from Oshnavieh Prison on August 21.

Karsaz is 55 years old and a resident of Oshnavieh.

Reza Arabpour Sentenced to 15 Years Following 2022 Protests in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
and Esmail Mousavi Nazari, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Rasoul Bodaghi, Sadegh Ghasemi, Vahid Abbasi

Reza Arabpour, one of the detainees from the 2022 nationwide protests in Izeh, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

According to his defense attorney, Hossein Ali Hatami, Mr. Arabpour was convicted on charges of “aiding and abetting moharebeh” (enmity against God) but was acquitted of charges related to participation in rebel groups. Mr. Hatami also stated that Mr. Arabpour’s vehicle has been released and that they plan to appeal the verdict. Before the issuance of this verdict, Arabpour was released on bail on September 28, 2024, after spending 21 months in detention.

On October 6, 2023, the same court acquitted several other defendants in the case—Bahman Bahmani, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Behrooz Salahshoor, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, Sadegh Ghasemi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari—of charges including moharebeh, “corruption on earth,” and membership in groups opposing the regime.

A few months later, the joint indictment of these individuals on charges of moharebeh, corruption on earth, and forming rebel groups was referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Motahareh Goonehi Arrested and Transferred to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ardabil University, Mahdi Hadizadeh, Motahareh Goonehi, Tehran

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has announced the arrest and imprisonment of Motahareh Goonehi, a student activist.

The report indicates that her arrest and imprisonment were prompted by content she posted on social media.

On the previous day, Ms. Goonehi had received an electronic summons ordering her to appear before Branch 9 of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office for Media and Culture.

The Deputy Minister for Culture and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Health also announced that Goonehi’s right to continue her studies has been revoked, and a disciplinary file has been opened against her at the university.

Recently, the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office pressed charges against Goonehi, a suspended student from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, citing her “online posts” regarding Iran’s recent military actions.

Earlier, Ms. Goonehi had announced her transfer to Ardabil University. She and her husband, Mahdi Hadizadeh, also a student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, had previously been temporarily suspended and transferred to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences by the Central Committee of the Ministry of Health.

On May 1, 2024, Goonehi was detained by IRGC Intelligence agents in Tehran after being summoned. She was taken to Evin Prison but was released on bail after several days of detention.

In July, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to one year in prison.

Goonehi, a dentistry student and former political secretary of the Islamic Association of Students at the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences, had also been detained by security forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

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Mohammadreza Faghihi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammadreza Faghihi, Tehran, Zahra Minooie

Mohammadreza Faghihi, a defense attorney, has been sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to five years in prison. Additionally, he has been sentenced to a two-year travel ban, a two-year prohibition from practicing law, and a two-year ban on membership in political parties and groups.

Zahra Minooie, Mr. Faghihi’s defense attorney, announced: “My client was sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on charges of ‘collusion and assembly with the intent to commit a crime against national security.’ As additional punishment, he has also been banned from leaving the country for two years, from practicing law, and from membership in political parties and groups for two years.”
The court session addressing the charges against this lawyer was held on September 11 of this year.

Previously, on October 12, 2022, Mohammadreza Faghihi was arrested by security forces, along with two other lawyers, during a protest by defense attorneys objecting to the “violation of protesters’ rights and Article 27 of the Constitution” in front of the Central Bar Association in Argentina Square, Tehran. He was eventually released on bail on October 25, 2022.

This attorney has a prior record of arrest and sentencing due to his professional activities.

Zhina Modares Gorji Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison on Appeals

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Kurdistan Province, Sanandaj, Zhina Modares Gorji

Zhina Modares Gorji, a resident of Sanandaj, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison by the Court of Appeals of Kurdistan Province, according to Kurdpa.

The report states that on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Branch 4 of the Kurdistan Provincial Court of Appeals issued the ruling, which was communicated to Ms. Modares Gorji’s lawyer. She was acquitted of the charge of “collaborating with a hostile government” but was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and 16 months for “forming an illegal group aimed at overthrowing the regime,” amounting to a total of 28 months in prison.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, regarding multiple offenses, the most severe punishment, which is 16 months of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

Earlier this year, in June, Ms. Modares Gorji was sentenced to 21 years of imprisonment and exile by the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj.

On April 10, 2023, she was arrested by intelligence officers and transferred to the Sanandaj Correctional Center. She was released on bail on July 3, 2023. A second court session to address her charges was held on September 13, 2023, and a third session took place on April 9, 2024.

It is worth noting that she had been arrested before, in late September 2022, and transferred to the Sanandaj Juvenile Correctional Center. She was temporarily released on bail on October 29 of that year.

Mohammad Hossein Mohebizadeh Sentenced to Prison on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Joveyn County, Khorasan Razavi Province, Mohammad-Hossein Mohebizadeh

Mohammad-Hossein Mohebizadeh, a resident of Joveyn County in Khorasan Razavi Province, has been sentenced to 22 months and 17 days in prison.

The verdict was recently issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Joveyn County, presided over by Judge Mohammad Mohammadzadeh. Mohebizadeh was sentenced to 15 months and one day for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic” and an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” bringing his total sentence to 22 months and 17 days.

According to HRANA, an independent human rights news agency, Mohebizadeh had previously been sentenced to two years in prison by the 101st Branch of the Criminal Court of Joveyn County on May 7 of this year for “blasphemy.” This ruling was upheld by the Khorasan Razavi Provincial Appeals Court on July 24, 2024.

Mohebizadeh was arrested in April after being summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Joveyn County. He was transferred to Sabzevar prison but released after four days upon posting bail of 2 billion tomans.

This is not the first time Mohebizadeh has faced legal action due to his activities.

Ebrahim Khishkar Sentenced to Prison on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ebrahim Khishkar, Marivan, Sarvabad

Ebrahim Khishkar, a resident of Marivan, has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison by the Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa. Of this sentence, one year has been suspended.

According to the verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court of Marivan, Khishkar was convicted on suspicion of collaborating with an opposition party.” His sentence includes one year of suspended imprisonment and six months of enforceable imprisonment.

Khishkar, a native of the village of Del in the Sarvabad district and a resident of Marivan, was arrested by security forces on Thursday, May 23, 2024. He was released on bail after a few days in detention.

Abolfazl Ghadiani Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Ghadiani, Tehran, ابوالفضل قدیانی

Today, September 30, political activist Abolfazl Ghadiani was arrested by security forces in Tehran and transferred to an undisclosed location.

His son announced that the arrest took place around noon at Mr. Ghadiani’s residence by security forces. As of the time of this report, no information has been provided regarding the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

In July 2023, Mr. Ghadiani was sentenced to 10 months in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and had been summoned to Branch 1 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office to serve this sentence.

Additionally, he has faced charges of “spreading falsehoods on the Internet” in another case at Branch 1025 of the Criminal Court of the Tehran Government Employees Judicial Complex.

Ghadiani has a history of previous arrests and convictions due to his political activities.