Category: Freedom of Expression

Sarveh Pourmohammadi’s Prison Sentence Reduced to Five Years on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Nozhin, Sanandaj, Sarveh Pourmohammadi, سروه پورمحمدی

The Kurdistan Province Appeals Court has reduced the prison sentence of Sarveh Pourmohammadi to five years, according to Kurdpa. She had previously been sentenced to ten years by the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj during the preliminary trial.

According to the ruling issued by the Appeals Court, Ms. Pourmohammadi was convicted of forming groups with the intent to disrupt national security and sentenced to five years in prison.

The First Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj had earlier handed down a ten-year prison sentence on the same charges.

Sarveh Pourmohammadi, a member of the cultural and social association “Nozhin,” was arrested by security forces on January 29, 2023. After 16 days of detention at the Sanandaj Correctional Center, she was released on bail.

Bushehr Cyber Police Arrests 12 for “Obscene Content” on Instagram

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Bushehr, FATA

According to ISNA, the head of the Cyber Police (FATA) in Bushehr Province has announced the arrest of 12 individuals—10 men and 2 women—on charges of “producing and sharing obscene content on Instagram.” The authorities have blocked the Instagram accounts associated with the group, and those arrested have been referred to judicial authorities.

Mehdi Ghasemi, the head of FATA in Bushehr, revealed that the group, allegedly led by two sisters, had been identified. They are accused of creating “vulgar videos,” including semi-nude, mixed-gender dancing clips, and sharing them across more than a dozen Instagram pages.

Following judicial authorization, the leaders and members of the group were detained. Ghasemi confirmed that their Instagram accounts were deactivated, and the individuals were handed over to the relevant judicial bodies.

The report did not disclose the identities or the current whereabouts of those arrested.

Ali Teymouri Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Teymouri, HRANA, علی تیموری

Ali Teymouri, a war veteran from the Iran-Iraq war, has been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court to one year in prison, a two-year ban on membership in social groups, and a travel ban.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Teymouri was convicted of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison sentence, he faces complementary punishments, including a two-year prohibition from participating in social groups and organizations and a ban on leaving the country.

The verdict also acquitted Teymouri of charges related to alleged connections with anti-regime groups.

Ali Teymouri was arrested on February 3, 2024, after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Eshtehard, Alborz Province. He was released two days later, on February 5, after posting bail.

Teymouri, a resident of Karaj, is a veteran injured during the Iran-Iraq war.

Women’s Rights Activist Atefeh Rangriz Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atefeh Rangriz, Shahroud, عاظفه رنگریز

Women’s rights activist Atefeh Rangriz has been sentenced by the Damghan Revolutionary Court to seven years and seven months of imprisonment and a two-year ban from online activities. Rangriz, currently on medical leave from Shahroud Prison, had been serving a separate sentence related to her activism.

Her lawyer, Hossein Taj, revealed: “While her medical leave for a CT angiography was denied an extension, the Revolutionary Court of Damghan issued its verdict. Atefeh Rangriz was sentenced to seven years in prison for creating a Telegram group and seven months for propaganda against the regime. Additionally, she has been prohibited from engaging in online activities for two years.”

Rangriz was temporarily released on medical leave on November 6, 2023, due to deteriorating health conditions.

Her latest arrest occurred on September 10, 2023, when security forces detained her in Damghan. She was subsequently released on bail on October 21, 2023. This new sentence relates to an earlier case in which the Shahroud Revolutionary Court convicted her of “collaboration and membership in groups opposing the regime,” sentencing her to two years, seven months, and 16 days in prison. She also received an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” Rangriz began serving this earlier sentence on June 30, 2024, in Shahroud Prison.

Rangriz has faced multiple arrests and convictions over the years due to her advocacy work.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Student Activist Leila Hosseinzadeh to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Gonabadi Dervish, HRANA, Leila Hosseinzadeh, Mohammad Sharifi Moghadam, لیلا حسن زاده

Leila Hosseinzadeh, a student activist, has been sentenced in absentia to prison by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges stem from her appearing unveiled at the University of Tehran during her thesis defense.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Hosseinzadeh was convicted on charges of appearing in public without a hijab and “propaganda against the regime.” In a personal statement, she revealed that she was sentenced without prior notice and is unaware of the details. She added, “I have no expectations of appeal or any legal process. I’ll wait for the case to be referred to the enforcement office.”
Hosseinzadeh has faced several legal cases over the years. Most recently, a forensic medical commission confirmed her permanent inability to endure incarceration. As a result, her remaining five-year prison sentence from a 2019 case was converted to a fine of 100 million tomans, which she paid to conclude the case.
Leila Hosseinzadeh was first arrested during the 2017–2018 Iranian protests, detained for 16 days, and released on bail. On June 24, 2019, Branch 36 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals sentenced her to 30 months in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime,” along with a two-year travel ban. Charges included attending a birthday gathering for Mohammad Sharifi Moghadam, a Gonabadi Dervish imprisoned near Sharif University, and singing protest songs.

On July 28, 2019, she began serving her sentence but was released early due to a judicial directive.

In a separate case, Hosseinzadeh was sentenced in February 2021 to five years in prison and a two-year ban from online activities for “assembly and collusion with intent to act against national security” by Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. The sentence was upheld by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court in December 2021.

She was arrested again on August 20, 2022, after being beaten by security forces outside her home. She was released on bail from Evin Prison on January 9, 2023.

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Abolfazl Abri and Hashem Amini Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Abri, Amir Javad Asadi, Hashem Amini, Mashhad

On November 21, 2024, Abolfazl Abri and Hashem Amini, residents of Mashhad, were arrested after visiting a police station to retrieve belongings confiscated during a prior detention. They were subsequently transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the two citizens had previously been detained on November 19, 2024, while attending a ceremony at Mashhad’s Behesht Reza Cemetery. The ceremony marked the second anniversary of the death of Amir Javad Asadi, a victim of the 2022 nationwide protests. Police officers from the Torq station arrested them at the event, seizing their vehicle and personal belongings. Both were released after several hours of detention.

However, on November 21, they were summoned to the police station under the pretext of reclaiming their confiscated items. Upon their arrival, they were arrested again and transferred to a detention facility.

A source close to one of the detainees’ families informed HRANA that Abri and Amini were beaten by officers during their arrest.

At the time of this report, no details have been disclosed about the reasons for their detention or the charges they may face.

Amir Javad Asadi, 36, was arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022. He died in custody, with reports from BBC Persian indicating that his death was caused by torture while detained.

Appeals Court Upholds Sentences for Four Defendants in Evin Prison Fire Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison fire, HRANA, Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh

The Tehran Provincial Appeals Court has upheld the sentences of Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Majid Roshannejad, and Reza Salmanzadeh, four defendants in the so-called Evin Prison fire case. Previously, Branch 1148 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced the group to a total of 33 years in prison and 518 lashes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentences were confirmed by the Appeals Court without a proper review of the case.

The original verdicts were issued on June 19, 2024, a day after the trial presided over by Judge Jabbar Javadi Rami. Aminpour, Dehbanzadeh, and Roshannejad were each sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of property,” an additional 16 months and 74 lashes for “disrupting prison order,” and another 16 months for “disobedience and resisting prison officials.” Salmanzadeh received five years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of property,” one year for “disrupting prison order,” and one year for “disobedience and resisting prison officials.”

A source close to one of the families told HRANA: “Despite objections filed by the defendants, neither they nor their lawyers were notified about the appeals process. The defense submissions prepared by their lawyers were ignored, and the sentences were upheld without any review in the Appeals Court.”

In addition to these four individuals, 36 other defendants in the Evin Prison fire case have also received prison sentences. HRANA is investigating the status of their appeals.

The prisoners are currently serving sentences from unrelated cases in the Greater Tehran and Ghezel Hesar prisons.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

Hamidreza Dastvaneh Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Hamidreza Dastvaneh, Yasuj Revolutionary Court, حمیدرضا دستوانه

Hamidreza Dastvaneh, a resident of Dehdasht, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by Judge Saeed Taheri Nesab of the Yasuj Revolutionary Court, operating from Branch 103 of the Dehdasht Criminal Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Dastvaneh was convicted in absentia on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” The verdict was recently issued and formally communicated to him.

Dastvaneh was initially arrested by security forces on September 10, 2024. After nearly a month in detention, he was released on bail on October 8, 2024.

Yashar Tabrizi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
aKBAR gHOLIZADEH, HRANA, Tabriz, Yashar Tabrizi, یاشار تبریزی

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Yashar Tabrizi, a civil activist, was arrested today after appearing at the News Office of the IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Tabrizi appeared at the News Office of the IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz at 8:00 AM. His family later learned of his arrest, and his wife’s mobile phone was also confiscated. So far, the reasons behind his arrest remain unclear.

On November 12, 2024, IRGC Intelligence forces searched the home of this civil activist in Tabriz. During the search, authorities instructed him to report to the News Office to answer a few questions posed by the prosecutor.

On September 13, 2023, Tabrizi was previously arrested by security forces in Tabriz. Shortly after, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, also known as Ward 240 of Evin Prison, to Ward 4 of the same prison. He was eventually released on bail on April 25, 2024.

In August 2023, Mr. Tabrizi was sentenced to one year in prison by the Shahriar Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Akbar Gholizadeh (also known as Yashar Tabrizi), a civil activist, has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activities.

 

Serveh Shiri and Peyman Shiri Sentenced to a Combined 14 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Peyman Shiri, Serveh Shiri

Serveh Shiri and Peyman Shiri, siblings and residents of Bukan, have been sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison by Branch 101 of the Second Criminal Court of Bukan.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, the court convicted the siblings on charges of “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups.” Serveh Shiri received an eight-month sentence, while Peyman Shiri was sentenced to six months.

In September 2024, security forces arrested Serveh and Peyman Shiri in Bukan and transferred them to a security detention center in Urmia. After spending some time in custody, they were released on bail pending trial.