Category: Freedom of Expression

Journalist Fardin Mostafaie Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fardin Mostafaei, Fardin Mostafaie, Saqqez

Journalist Fardin Mostafaie was arrested by security forces in Saqqez today and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Kurdpa.

According to the report, Mr. Mostafaie was detained on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, without a judicial warrant, at a café in Saqqez.

As of this report, there is no information regarding the charges against him or his current whereabouts.

A member of the International Federation of Journalists, Mostafaie was previously summoned and interrogated by the Cyber Police (FATA) in November 2023 on charges of “spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion.”

Mostafaie has a history of prior summons and interrogations.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Fine for Environmental Activist Yousef Farhadi Babadi

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Freedom of Expression, News
environmental activist, Tehran, Yousef Farhadi Babadi

The Appeals Court of Tehran Province has upheld the one-year prison sentence and monetary fine imposed on environmental activist Yousef Farhadi Babadi.

In a statement regarding the verdict, Mr. Farhadi Babadi said, “The one-year prison sentence and the fine have been confirmed without providing me the opportunity to defend myself in the Appeals Court, and without my knowledge of which branch issued the verdict.”

In July, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Mr. Farhadi Babadi to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and an additional year in prison along with a 15 million toman fine for “spreading falsehoods against the Ministry of Intelligence.”

Earlier, at the end of April, Farhadi Babadi was summoned to the First Branch of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office after receiving a summons. The indictment on the aforementioned charges was issued in May. This activist has a prior history of arrest.

Arian Shirpisheh Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arian Shirpisheh, Mona Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari, Tehran

Arian Shirpisheh, the uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests, was arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location.

Mona Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari’s sister, reported that at 7 a.m. on Monday, several agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided Shirpisheh’s residence in Tehran and arrested him. During the operation, the agents also confiscated his mobile phones and other electronic devices.

No information has been released regarding the reasons for Shirpisheh’s arrest or his current whereabouts.

This is not the first time Arian Shirpisheh has been detained by security agencies.

Pouya Bakhtiari, born on September 10, 1992, was killed during the November 2019 protests in Mehrshahr, Karaj. According to his father, Pouya joined the protesters on the second day of demonstrations against the fuel price hike, accompanied by his sister and mother. He was shot in the head and succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.

Sajjad Sadeghi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Sajjad Sadeghi, Tehran

Sajjad Sadeghi, a former radio host and expert, was arrested by security forces in Tehran today, Wednesday, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Mr. Sadeghi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “On Wednesday, September 27, several security officers came to Mr. Sadeghi’s residence in western Tehran and arrested him. The officers also searched the premises and confiscated his electronic devices.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information on the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his current whereabouts.

Mr. Sadeghi was previously arrested by security forces in October 2022 during nationwide protests. He was released five months later on bail.

Sadeghi was previously sentenced to three counts of 74 lashes each. The sentence was carried out in July 2020.

Revolutionary Court Sentences 8 Political Defendants to Over 42 Years in Prison, Flogging, and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Herati Mokhtari, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Iman Afshari, Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Shahin Zahmatkesh

Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ali Herati Mokhtari, Shahin Zahmatkesh, and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini were sentenced to a total of 42 years and 3 months in prison, 25 years of exile, and 74 lashes by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The prison sentences of Amir Shah Velayati and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, each initially sentenced to two years, were converted to fines.

Detailed Sentences:

  1. Nasim Gholami Simiyari: aged around 40, she was sentenced to 20 years of exile in Angouran, Zanjan Province, where she is to live under judicial supervision without social interactions, 1 year in prison, 74 lashes for disrupting public order, and 5 years in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  2. Hamidreza Sahlabadi: aged around 38, he was sentenced to 5 years of exile in Shazand, Arak Province, under similar conditions, and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  3. Amin Sokhanvar: aged around 26, he was sentenced to 4 years in prison for membership in opposition groups and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  4. Ehsan Ravazjiyan: aged around 33, he received 3 years in prison for membership in opposition groups and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  5. Ali Herati Mokhtari: aged around 25, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for illegal possession of tear gas and 2 years for possessing six illegal bullets.
  6. Amir Shah Velayati: aged around 26, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for assembly and collusion, converted to an 80 million toman fine.
  7. Hossein Mohammad Hosseini: aged around 37, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for assembly and collusion, converted to a fine of 165 million tomans.
  8. Hossein Ardestani: aged 37, he was acquitted of all charges.
  9. Shahin Zahmatkesh: aged around 41, he was sentenced to 1 year in prison for anti-state propaganda, 5 years for assembly and collusion, and 5 years for inciting unrest. He currently resides outside of Iran.
  10. Siamak Tadayyon and Farid Golsheni: Their cases remain open, as they were charged with involvement in the so-called “Iranian People’s Army terrorist group” but have evaded capture.

Background of the Arrests:

  • Nasim Gholami Simiyari was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in Tehran on May 18, 2023, and later transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on September 26, 2023.
  • Hamidreza Sahlabadi was detained at his residence on July 3, 2023, and later sentenced to 2 years for property damage by a criminal court in Tehran.
  • Ehsan Ravazjiyan was arrested in Malayer on August 8, 2023, and subsequently moved to Evin Prison.
  • Amin Sokhanvar was arrested at his home in Tehran in April 2023 and is currently held in Evin Prison.
  • Hossein Ardestani was detained on January 22, 2023, and released on bail after a period of detention.
  • Ali Herati Mokhtari and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini were also previously arrested and released on bail.
  • Amir Shah Velayati was summoned to Evin Court on January 23, 2024, charged with anti-state propaganda and other offenses, and released on bail on March 11, 2024.

 

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Writer Arash Ramezani Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Arash Ramezani, Fatemeh Noorani, Mashhad, آرش رمضانی

On Saturday, September 14, Arash Ramezani, a writer and social activist, was arrested after being summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. He was then taken to an undisclosed location.

His wife, Fatemeh Noorani, reported the incident in a statement: “Yesterday, we went to the prosecutor’s office in response to a summons my husband had received. While we were still seeking information about the reason for his detention and the bail conditions, a security agency arrived and took him away. After 24 hours, he called us to inform us of his situation but did not know the reason for his arrest.”

There is still no information regarding Ramezani’s current location or the charges against him.

Mr. Ramezani has previously faced arrests and legal actions due to his activities.

Arash Ramezani has published two novels and is an active member of the literary community.

Father of Deceased Protester Mohammad Hassanzadeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Jina Amini, Mahsa Amini

On the second anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s death, Ahmad Hassanzadeh, the father of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, was arrested by security forces on September 25 in front of his home in Bukan. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Kolbar News, Mr. Hassanzadeh was detained by security forces directly outside his residence. Approximately an hour after his arrest, he managed to call his family, confirming that he was in custody.

As of this report, there is no information available regarding the reasons for his arrest, his current location, or any charges that may have been brought against him.

This is not the first time Mr. Hassanzadeh has been targeted by authorities. In late July, he and his daughter, Solmaz Hassanzadeh, were detained by security forces while attempting to hold a memorial ceremony for Mohammad’s birthday. He was released the following day on a four-billion-toman bail. Additionally, on September 4, 2023, both he and his daughter were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence in Bukan and subjected to interrogation.

Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old resident of Bukan, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and died from his injuries on November 16 of that year.

Javad Azizi, Retiree Rights Activist, Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Iranian Retirees Council, Javad Azizi, Kermanshah

On Sunday, September 8, Javad Azizi, a retired citizen and retiree rights activist in Kermanshah, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, according to Iranian Retirees Council.

The report states that the arrest of the retiree rights activist took place at his private residence on Sunday, September 8, 2024, by security forces. During the arrest, the agents also confiscated Mr. Azizi’s mobile phone.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Poet Ali Jahanian Arrested by Security Forces in Nahavand

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Jahanian, Fereshteh Souri, Hamedan, HRANA, Nahavand

On September 9, Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist, was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Nahavand and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Jahanian and his wife, Mrs. Fereshteh Souri, were arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at their residence in Nahavand. His wife was released after several hours of interrogation on bail. Security agents also searched their home during the arrest and confiscated some of the couple’s personal belongings, including their mobile phones.”

The source added, “Ali Jahanian has been transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan following his arrest.”

So far, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him have not been disclosed.

Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist residing in Nahavand, has previously been arrested due to his activities.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Esmaeil Gerami to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Esmail Gerami, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari

Esmail Gerami, a workers’ rights advocate imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, according to Iranian Retirees Council.

The verdict, issued by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran and delivered to Mr. Gerami in prison today, convicts him of “propaganda against the regime” for participating in retirees’ protests, sentencing him to one year of imprisonment. The court session for reviewing his charges took place on August 27 of this year.

On August 7, security forces searched Mr. Gerami’s residence, confiscating personal items including his laptop, mobile phone, and national ID card, and summoned him to Shahid Moghaddas Court in Evin.

Four day later, Esmail Gerami was arrested after appearing at Evin Court and transferred to Evin Prison’s quarantine ward. He was later moved to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

Earlier this year, in July, Esmail Gerami was fined by Branch 1027 of the Tehran Criminal Court 2.

Esmail (Esmaeil) Gerami has a history of arrests and judicial encounters due to his activism.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.