Category: Freedom of Expression

Woman Arrested for Displaying Israeli Flag in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Israel, Israel flag, Tehran

A woman has been arrested by IRGC Intelligence for displaying an Israeli flag in the streets of Tehran, as reported by Fars News Agency.

The identity of the woman and the location of her detention have not been disclosed in the report. She was apprehended while allegedly trying to depart the country.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Saeed Farokhi Pour Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir-Mehdi Farokhi Pour, HRANA, Mahsa Amini Protests, Saeed Farokhi Pour, Tehran, سعید فرخی پور

Saeed Farokhi Pour (Farohkipour) was apprehended by security forces on April 1, 2024, and transferred to an undisclosed facility. His minor son, Amir-Mehdi Farokhi Pour, was killed at the hands of regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, known as the Mahsa Amini Protests.

Confirming Farokhi Pour’s arrest, a source close to his family informed HRANA that the arrest occurred at Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery in Tehran, where Farohki Pour was attending his son’s burial. Despite inquiries by his family regarding his whereabouts and condition, they have received no response.

The motive behind his arrest remains undisclosed.

Amir-Mehdi Farokhi Pour, aged 17, was fatally shot during the protests on September 27, 2022, and succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Omid Ghadimi Receives 40-Month Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Divandarreh, Foad Ghadimi, Omid Ghadimi, Sanandaj

According to Kurdpa, the Revolutionary Court of Divandarreh has sentenced Omid Ghadimi to 40 months in prison along with a fine. Ghadimi’s brother, Foad Ghadimi, was tragically killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

The court has determined that Ghadimi will serve 32 months for alleged “membership in an opposition political party,” eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” and is also fined for “disseminating false information.”

Ghadimi was apprehended by security forces in September 2023 and held in a detention facility in Sanandaj until his release on bail on December 25, 2023.

His brother Foad Ghadimi lost his life to regime gunfire during the nationwide protests on September 21, 2022.

Mohammad Abbaszadeh Arrested by Security Forces in Ilam

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Ilam, Mahsa Amini Protests, Mohammad Abbaszadeh, Nowruz, محمد عباس زاده

On March 27, 2024, security forces detained Mohammad Abbaszadeh (Abbas-Zadeh) in Ilam following his participation in a Nowruz celebration gathering, as reported by Kurdpa. Abbaszadeh was then taken to an undisclosed location.

It’s worth noting that the agents conducted the arrest without presenting any formal warrant. Interestingly, just last month, Abbaszadeh had been summoned and subsequently released after signing a letter of commitment. This summons was reportedly linked to his vocal opposition to the parliamentary election.

In May 2023, the Criminal Court of Ilam sentenced Abbaszadeh to six months in prison and imposed a fine. Additionally, he was required to pen a short essay on the “divine punishment of blasphemy.”

Abbaszadeh’s activism has previously led to his arrest during the 2022 nationwide protests, commonly referred to as the Mahsa Amini protests. In that legal proceeding, he was fined and sentenced to 74 lashes, along with one year of suspended imprisonment.

Protest Rapper Vafa Ahmadpour Faces Political Charges in Evin Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
evin court, Vafa Ahmadpour, Vafadar

Vafa Ahmadpour, the protest rapper known by his stage name Vafadar, has been summoned to the Evin Court for an arraignment hearing, facing charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “disseminating false information,” and “disturbing public opinion.”

The court has cited “publishing a song in support of the nationwide protests in 2022” as an example of the aforementioned charges.
Notably, the court dropped the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” citing insufficient evidence.

Ahmadpour was arrested on February 4, 2024, by security forces at his residence and was held in detention for over 15 days before being released on bail from Evin prison.

During his detention period, PEN America issued a statement condemning Ahmadpour’s arrest and urged for his immediate release.

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Eleven Women’s Rights Advocates Sentenced to Over 60 Years in Combined Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Hooman Taheri, Jelveh Javaheri, Lakan prison, Matin Yazdani, Mehdi Rasekhi, Negin Rezaie, Rasht, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Sia, Women's Rights Advocates, Yasamin Hashdari, Zohreh Dadras

The Revolutionary Court in Rasht has delivered verdicts, sentencing eleven women’s rights advocates to a cumulative imprisonment exceeding 60 years and 6 months.

Judge Mehdi Rasekhi, presiding over the trial, sentenced Zohreh Dadras to nine years, six months, and two days for her alleged involvement in “forming a group to act against national security”. Forough Saminia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaie, Azadeh Chavoshian, Zohreh Dadras, and Matin Yazdani each received sentences of six years and 47 days for charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.” Additionally, Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri were each sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

The trial commenced on February 29, 2024. These individuals were initially detained during a mass arrest of citizens in Gilan Province on August 16 and 17, 2023. Subsequently, they were released on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Three Individuals Arrested for Blasphemy and Insulting Regime

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, Borujerd, IRNA, Lorestan province

The Chief of Police in Borujerd, Lorestan province, announced the arrest of three individuals for “blasphemy and insulting the regime online,” as per IRNA. They’ve been detained by judicial order, with their social media page removed. Identities remain undisclosed.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Samku Nasrollahi Detained by Security Forces in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Bukan, Kurdpa, Samko Nasrollahi, Samku Nasrollahi, سمکو نصراللهی

On March 24, 2024, security forces reportedly detained Samku (Samko) Nasrollahi in Bukan, West Azerbaijan province, and transferred him to an undisclosed facility, according to Krudpa.

The arrest of Nasrollahi, a 35-year-old father of two, allegedly occurred after his participation in a Nowruz ceremony in a village. No arrest warrant was presented by the agents.

Despite inquiries made by Nasrollahi’s family to the Ministry of Intelligence in Bukan, no clear answers have been provided regarding the allegations against him or his current whereabouts.

Davoud Haddadi-Nia and Fardin Chireh-Nejad Sentenced to Prison for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bahmai, Davoud Haddadi-Nia, Fardin Chireh-Nejad, HRANA, Likak

The Criminal Court in Likak City, Bahmai County, has issued a three-month prison sentence for both Davoud Haddadi-Nia and Fardin Chireh-Nejad. Haddadi-Nia’s sentence, however, was reduced to two months and nine days after entering a plea of no contest.

A source close to their families, confirming these verdicts to HRANA, revealed that the individuals were convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime on Instagram.”

Haddadi-Nia and Chireh-Nejad were apprehended by security forces at Chireh-Nejad’s workplace on February 17, 2024.

Haddadi-Nia has a history of prior arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism. On September 16, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, he was arrested by security forces and released from Dehdasht prison on October 9, 2023.

Ahmad Key-Shamas Endures Prolonged Detention on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Key-Shamas, ahvaz, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, احمد کی شمس

Ahmad Key-Shamas, a resident of Izeh, remains confined in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz for over eight months, trapped in legal uncertainty.

A source close to Key-Shamas’s family confirmed to HRANA his detention for 247 days. Denied access to a private lawyer, he faces charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “disturbing public order.”

Key-Shamas was apprehended by security forces on July 18, 2023.