Category: Freedom of Expression

Parivash Moslemi Sentenced to Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political defendant imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling recently issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Moslemi in prison two days ago, she has been sentenced to two years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to the family of this political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Moslemi did not attend any of the sessions related to her charges, including interrogations and court hearings. She had previously declared in writing and verbally that she did not recognize these proceedings and would not participate.”

Moslemi was arrested on July 7 after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in Varamin.

Political Prisoner Reza Arabpour Detained for Over 21 Months Without Verdict

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, HRANA, Izeh, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Rasoul Bodaghi, Reza Arabpour, Sadegh Ghasemi, Sheiban Prison, Vahid Abbasi, رضا عرب پور

Reza Arabpour, a political defendant arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Izeh, remains in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, over twenty-one months after his arrest, with no legal resolution in sight.

HRANA’s sources indicate that Mr. Arabpour has been in detention for over 600 days. Despite a court session being held in June of this year at Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, no verdict has been issued for him. Arabpour, hence, remains in a state of uncertainty in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.
Previously, Hossein Ali Hatami, the defense attorney for this political defendant, had told HRANA that Arabpour, along with Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari, are involved in a joint case, and a court session was held to address charges including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), corruption on earth (Efsad-e-Fil-Arz), and forming a rebel group.”

In November 2022, Reza Arabpour, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, Sadegh Ghasemi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari were arrested by IRGC intelligence officers. After completing the interrogation process, they were transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

A few months later, the indictment of these individuals on the mentioned charges was referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.
Among these citizens, so far, Bahman Bahmani, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Vahid Abbasi, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, Behrooz Salahshoor, and Rasoul Bodaghi have been released from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, on bail.

Mehdi Moghadari Sentenced to Prison and Other Penalties

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Mehdi Moghadari, مهدی مقدری

Mehdi Moghadari, a former member of the Isfahan City Council, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan to one year in prison, two years of a travel ban, and other penalties, as reported by Emtedad News Outlet.

According to the report, Mr. Moghadari was sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” As part of the supplementary punishment, he has also been sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country, a ban on engaging in online activities, and a two-year prohibition from participating in groups, associations, and political parties.

Mehdi Moghadari was arrested by security forces in Isfahan in late November of 2022 and was released from Dastgerd Prison in February of the same year. He has a prior history of arrests and convictions.

Ramin Haeri Sentenced to Sixteen Months in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Javad Haeri, Mashhad, Ramin Haeri, Vakilabad prison

Ramin Haeri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to sixteen months in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in this city.

Based on a recent verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and communicated to this political prisoner in prison, Mr. Haeri was sentenced to sixteen months in prison on charges including “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.”

A source close to the political prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, adding, “Mr. Haeri is also facing another case on the charge of insulting the Supreme Leader, for which no court hearing has yet been held.”

Haeri was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Mashhad on February 27, 2024, and was taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city.

He was eventually transferred to Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, on March 28, 2024. He is currently being held in Ward 104 of this prison, alongside violent crime offenders, without regard for the principle of separating different types of crimes.

Mokhtar Asadi Arrested by Security Forces in Sanandaj

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Mokhtar Asadi, Sanandaj, مختار اسدی

Yesterday, August 19, Mokhtar Asadi, a teachers’ union activist residing in Sanandaj, was arrested after reporting to the Cyber Police and was transferred to an undisclosed location.

The day before his arrest, security forces searched Mr. Asadi’s home while he was not present.

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

This teachers’ union activist had previously been summoned and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj on May 1.

Asadi has a history of arrests and judicial confrontations due to his union activities.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Saqqez: Abdollah Sharifzadeh Sentenced to Ten Months in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Sharifzadeh, Saqqez, عبدالله شریف زاده

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez has sentenced Abdollah Sharifzadeh, a resident of Saqqez, to ten months in prison on political charges, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Mr. Sharifzadeh was sentenced by Judge Javad Mostafaie of Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez for “propaganda against the regime in favor of an opposition political party.” The trial took place on March 12, 2024.

He was arrested in the winter of 2023 and later released on bail.

Sharifzadeh has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations.

Criminal Court Sentences Mashallah Karami to Over 8 Years in Prison and Other Penalties

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Alborz province, Karaj, Mashallah Karami, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, Sharifzadeh Ardakani

Mashallah Karami, the father of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, an executed protester, has been sentenced by the Criminal Court of Nazarabad County, Alborz province, to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine, and the confiscation of his assets.

According to the ruling recently issued by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Branch 2 of Nazarabad County and conveyed to this citizen currently imprisoned in Karaj Central Prison, he was sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans (approximately 28000 dollars), and the confiscation of his assets on charges of “money laundering and acquiring illicit property.”

Earlier, in another part of his case, Mr. Karami was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security” and one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Ali Sharifzadeh, Karami’s attorney, previously stated that the security charges brought against his client are inconsistent with his actions. He added, “Mr. Karami only distributed free food, the funds for which were provided through public donations. This information was presented to the court but was not properly considered. Additionally, my client’s assets have no connection to the security charges against Mr. Karami.”

In March of 2024, Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Mr. Karami’s lawyer, stated that his client’s indictment included four charges: under Article 500 (propaganda against the regime) and Article 610 (assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security) in the Revolutionary Court of Karaj, as well as charges under Article 2 of the Aggravated Punishment Law (acquiring illicit property) and Article 9 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law in the Criminal Court Branch 2 of Nazarabad County.

Karami was arrested by security forces on August 22, 2023. At the time of his arrest, security forces confiscated all electronic devices and froze the family’s bank accounts.

On October 28th of 2023, Mr. Karami was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to the Central Prison of Karaj. After three months in solitary confinement, he was eventually moved to Ward 15 of this prison.

It should be noted that at dawn on Saturday, January 7, 2023, the death sentence of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, who had been arrested during the nationwide protests in the case known as the “killing of Basij member Rouhollah Ajamian,” was carried out.

Mojgan Kavousi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karaj, Mojgan Kavousi, Mozhgan Kavousi, Sari Revolutionary Court, مژگان کاووسی

Mojgan Kavousi, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court after her request for retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mojgan Kavousi has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Maziar Tataei, Ms. Kavousi’s defense attorney, announced on his personal page: “Following the acceptance of the retrial by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, the sentence of my client, Ms. Mojgan Kavousi, which was originally 61 months, has been reduced to 12 months by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court.”

On July 30, Kavousi’s request for retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court, and her case was referred to an equivalent branch for reconsideration.

In December 2022, Kavousi was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court to eight months in prison for “propaganda activities against the regime,” 18 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and 39 months for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

In December 2023, she was sent to Tonekabon Prison to serve her sentence. In late June this year, her prison sentence was converted to a suspended sentence, and she was released from Tonekabon Prison.

Kavousi has previously been arrested and imprisoned for her activism. She was arrested during the November 2019 protests and was sentenced to imprisonment. She was eventually released from Kachooie Prison in Karaj in January 2022 after serving 20 months.

Death-Row Political Prisoner Pakhshan Azizi Hit with New Charges

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Courthouse, Mahabad, Pakshan Azizi, Tehran

Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to death and currently held in Evin Prison, is now facing new charges, as reported by Kurdpa.

The report states that Ms. Azizi has been accused of “rioting in prison” in a new case initiated by Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. This charge is reportedly related to the second round of the 1403 presidential elections.

Earlier this month, Ms. Azizi was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges including membership in anti-regime groups.

Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

This political detainee was deprived of the right to access a private lawyer and meet with her family for a long time. Eventually, after four months of interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Ms. Azizi was formally charged in February of 2023 at Evin Courthouse, and her indictment was referred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Azizi had previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations. She was detained by security forces on November 16, 2009, and released on bail after four months.

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.

Hamid Haji Abdolpour Sentenced to Prison after Retrial

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Amirkabir University of Technology, Hamid Haji Abdolpour, Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison

The six years, seven months, and sixteen days prison sentence of Hamid Haji Abdolpour, a graduate of Amirkabir University of Technology, has been fully upheld by Branch 20 of the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province.

After the acceptance of Mr. Haji Abdolpour’s request for a retrial by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, his case was sent to a parallel branch. Recently, Branch 20 of the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province upheld his sentence of six years, seven months, and sixteen days in prison.

Haji Abdolpour was initially sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to six years in prison for the charge of “forming a Telegram group with the intent of disrupting national security,” and eight months for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In June-July 2023, Branch 4 of the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province reduced his sentence for propaganda against the regime by 14 days, resulting in a final sentence of six years, seven months, and sixteen days in prison. Finally, in late November of last year, after spending 46 days in solitary confinement at the IRGC’s detention facility in Razavi Khorasan Province, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to serve his sentence.

In separate letters to the Office of the Supreme Leader’s Representative in Universities, the Judiciary’s Intelligence Protection Unit, and the General Inspection Organization of the IRGC, Haji Abdolpour revealed the mistreatment he suffered during interrogations, aimed at extracting forced confessions.

He recently submitted a request for a retrial to the highest judicial authority in the country. After the Supreme Court accepted his request for a retrial and he was temporarily released on bail, the president of Amirkabir University expressed support for him in a letter to the head of the Judiciary in Razavi Khorasan Province. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, and after the case was reviewed again, Mr. Haji Abdolpour was sentenced to prison by the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province.