Category: Freedom of Expression

Attorney Amir-Hossein Koohkan Sentenced to Six Years

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Amir-Hossein Koohkan, Kachooie Prison, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, امیرحسین کوهکن

The Revolutionary Court in Karaj has sentenced attorney Amir-Hossein Koohkan to six years in prison on political charges. Koohkan faced accusations of “assembly and collusion against national security and propaganda against the regime.”

He was initially detained on August 30, 2023, after being summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Karaj and was later released on bail from Kachooie prison in mid-December 2023.

Koohkan served as the legal representative for the family of Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, who was executed following his arrest during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Koroush Jalil Detained by the Ministry of Intelligence

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News

On May 24, 2024, Koroush Jalil was detained by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a source close to his family.

Confirming Jalil’s arrest, a source close to his family informed HRANA that the Ministry of Intelligence is responsible for his arrest.

Jalil previously faced arrest on May 12, 2022, in connection with a protest organized by working and retired teachers and educators in Yasuj. After being formally charged, he was temporarily released on bail.

In February 2024, Jalil was again implicated in legal issues, facing multiple charges including “propaganda against the regime through activities on Instagram,” “inciting violence by calling for protests and causing unrest via social media posts,” “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and “blasphemy, which includes derogatory comments about the Quran, Kaaba, the Islamic prophet, and Shia Imams.”

In March of the same year, the Revolutionary Court of Yasuj convened to address these allegations against Jalil and five other co-defendants.

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

Ali Reyhani Kujuvar Detained for Remarks on Iranian President’s Death

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Reyhani Kujuvar, Ebrahim Raisi, Tabriz

Security forces have detained Ali Reyhani Kujuvar after he posted comments about the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Reyhani is currently held in Tabriz prison.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, May 19th, when a helicopter carrying President Raisi and several officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, crashed in the Dizmar forest between Varzaqan and Jolfa. Official media reported the deaths of Raisi and his companions the following morning, after locating the crash site and the wreckage. Numerous citizens have been arrested or faced legal action for expressing views on the incident, which the authorities have found objectionable.

Appellate Court Upholds One-Year Sentence for Political Activist Reza Ramezanzadeh

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Reza Ramezanzadeh, Tehran

Branch 36 of the Tehran Appellate Court has upheld a one-year prison sentence for Reza Ramezanzadeh.

The sentence was originally imposed by Branch 24 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which convicted Ramezanzadeh of “disseminating false information” related to reporting on the conditions of prisoners.

Ramezanzadeh was initially detained in late February 2024 after attending a hearing at the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. He was released on bail three days later.

This incident marks another chapter in Ramezanzadeh’s history of arrests and legal challenges stemming from his political activism.

Journalist Manijeh Moazenzadeh Charged Over Comments on Iranian President’s Death

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ebrahim Raisi, Manijeh Moazenzadeh, منیژه موذن زاده

The Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office has initiated legal proceedings against journalist and translator Manijeh Moazenzadeh following her article about the helicopter crash that resulted in the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

Moazenzadeh revealed, “I am facing legal action for my reaction to President Raisi’s death and how I reported it.” She also mentioned that an existing legal case against her, which includes three charges, is still pending without any court hearing scheduled.

Previously, in November 2022, Moazenzadeh was detained by security forces and subsequently released on bail after 19 days. She is currently affiliated with EcoIran and the weekly magazine Tejarat-e-Farda.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Abdolghani Darvishi’s Sentence Reduced on Appeal

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolghani Darvishi, Evin Prison, Urmia, Urmia prison

The Appellate Court of West Azerbaijan Province has reduced Abdolghani Darvishi’s prison sentence from five years to two years and six months. Originally convicted on political charges for “collaboration with anti-regime groups,” his sentence is now suspended for two years.

Darvishi was first detained by security forces on May 22, 2020, in Urmia and subsequently held in Tehran’s Evin prison, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence. After a month, he was moved back to a detention center in Urmia and later placed in solitary confinement on October 22, 2020, at Urmia Prison.

He was released on bail from Urmia Prison on March 2, 2021. Darvishi, a resident of Urmia and a father of two, continues to reside there with his family.

Akbar Yousefi Arrested in Malekan Over Instagram Post

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Yousefi, East Azerbaijan province, Ebrahim Raisi, Malekan

On May 20, 2024, Akbar Yousefi was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Malekan, East Azerbaijan province.

According to a source close to his family who spoke to HRANA, the arrest is linked to a recent Instagram post by Yousefi about the helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, and several others, including the foreign minister.

Details regarding the specific charges against Yousefi remain unclear. Notably, Yousefi has a history of arrest and judicial confrontation during the nationwide protests in 2022.

261 People Arrested for Allegedly Holding Satanism Ritual

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Citizens arrested, Tasnim

Tasnim, a security-affiliated news agency, reported that police apprehended 146 men and 115 women for allegedly holding a Satanist ritual and consuming alcohol.

According to the Police Intelligence Organization, three of the detainees are European nationals. The police claimed that the detainees had Satanic symbols on their shirts, hair, and faces. Additionally, 73 vehicles were seized.

The report did not disclose the identities of the detainees or their current location.

Iran’s regime and judiciary have consistently faced criticism for infringing on citizens’ privacy rights and personal affairs.

Sanaz Ariantalab Summoned to Serve Prison Term for Political Charges

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Gohardasht, Kachooie Prison, Karaj, Mahsa Amini, Sanaz Ariantalab, ساناز آریان طلب

Sanaz Ariantalab (Arian-Talab), a resident of Karaj, has been summoned to begin serving her prison term, imposed on political charges.

According to the summons, Ariantalab, aged around 38, must appear within five days at the executive branch of the judiciary.

Ariantalab was arrested on September 16, 2023, the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, in Gohardasht, Karaj. She was detained in Kachooie Prison and released on bail of 500 million tomans (approximately $10,000) after ten days.

On March 10, 2024, the Revolutionary Court of Karaj sentenced Ariantalab to one year in prison for “presence in public without hijab, propaganda against the regime, and assembly and collusion to undermine national security.” Additionally, she was banned from leaving the country for two years and barred from membership in civil groups.

Jebreil Pakrooh Arrested by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Pakrooh, Jebreil Pakrooh, Tabriz, جبرئیل پاکروح

On May 13, 2024, Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, was arrested at his home by security forces. Pakrooh’s children published a video inquiring about their father’s well-being, but they have not received any response from the security institution.

The family is concerned for Pakrooh’s health, as he suffers from various age-related illnesses. While Pakrooh had been summoned by judicial authorities previously, the reason for his recent arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Pakrooh’s son, Farhad, is an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. Both he and his father have faced previous confrontations with security institutions due to their activism.