Category: Freedom of Expression

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s Prison Sentence Confirmed on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahar, East Azerbaijan province, Saleh Mola-Abbasi, Tabriz Prison

The Court of Appeal for East Azerbaijan Province has upheld a 91-day prison sentence for Azerbaijani-Turk activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi.

Earlier this year, in July, Mola-Abbasi was initially handed this verdict on charges of “disseminating false information to disrupt public order.”

Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s arrest occurred at his residence in Ahar on October 9, 2022, when he was apprehended by security forces. Following approximately one month of incarceration in Tabriz Prison, he was released on bail, which amounted to 1.2 billion tomans. The court session that ultimately led to his sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.

It is noteworthy that Saleh Mola-Abbasi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activist endeavors.

Golestan Resident Detained Over Alleged Ties to Foreign Media

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fars News Agency, Golestan

In a recent development in Golestan Province, a local resident has been apprehended by security personnel on charges of “associating with foreign media” and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This information was reported by the Fars News Agency.

According to the news agency, which has ties to security institutions, the detainee is alleged to have engaged in activities aimed at inciting ethnic and religious tensions over the past two years. These activities purportedly involved posting content, associating with foreign media outlets, spreading misinformation, and defaming the government.

As of now, the identity of the detainee and the location of their detention remain undisclosed.

Edris Menbari Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Edris Menbari, Nozhin

The Criminal Court of Sanandaj has issued a verdict, sentencing Edris Menbari, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, to a one-year prison term and 40 lashes.

Menbari was found guilty of “disturbing public order.” He is mandated to serve his sentence at Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah for a duration of one year, which includes time spent in custody.

The court session addressing Menbari’s charges took place on October 1, 2023, notably without the presence of his legal counsel.

Previously, on December 18, 2022, security forces apprehended Menbari at his residence in Sanandaj during the nationwide protests, and he was released on bail in February 2023.

Edris Menbari is a board member of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association.

It is important to highlight that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights expressly forbids flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

Minor Detained by Security Forces in Mahabad

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Pouya Khezri, Urmia

On October 10, Pouya Khezri, a minor resident of Mahabad, was apprehended within the city and subsequently transferred to a detention facility in Urmia, as per reports by Kurdpa.

The arrest of Khezri took place at his family’s residence, and notably, no arrest warrant was presented by the security forces.

The specific grounds for Khezri’s detention and the allegations against him remain

Student Arzhang Mortazavi Arrested Once Again in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arzhang Mortazavi, HRANA, Karaj, Kharazmi University

Arzhang Mortazavi, a student at Kharazmi University, found himself in the custody of security forces in Karaj on October 7th, where he was subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This marks his second arrest, following his previous detention during the 2022 nationwide protests.

A reliable source with close ties to Mortazavi’s family provided HRANA with information regarding his arrest at his residence. It has been reported that the agents conducted a search of his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Mortazavi had previously informed on social media about his summons to appear before the Public Security Police.

His initial arrest took place on December 17, 2022, in front of the university entrance. However, on February 21, 2023, he was released from the Central Prison of Karaj under the provisions of a general “pardon and commutation” directive.

In a separate development, late last month, Mortazavi received a suspension from the university for four semesters and was compelled to transfer to Damghan University.

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Sakineh Parvaneh Sentenced to Seven-and-a-Half Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Mozafari, Khosro Alikurdi, Quchan, Sakineh Parvaneh, Sekineh Parvaneh, Vakilabad prison

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of seven years and six months in prison to Sakineh Parvaneh, a political prisoner currently detained in Vakilabad Prison.

Presiding over the case, Judge Hadi Mansouri conveyed the verdict to Parvaneh’s attorney, Khosro Alikurdi. She has been charged with multiple offenses, including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

According to information received by HRANA from a source, Alikurdi was not permitted to attend the court session.

Parvaneh was arrested in April 2023 by agents from the IRGC Intelligence, following her visit to the burial place of Ali Mozafari, one of the protestors killed during the nationwide protests in 2022, in Quchan. After spending 12 days in a detention facility, she was transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

It is important to note that Parvaneh has a prior arrest and conviction related to her activism. In her previous encounter with the security institutions, she was detained by IRGC Intelligence forces in the winter of 2020. Subsequently, she received a five-year prison sentence and a two-year prohibition from participating in political groups. However, in February 2023, she was granted amnesty and released in accordance with a general “pardon and commutation” directive.

Keyvan Rahimi Arrested in Saqqez

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Freedom of Expression, News
Keyvan Rahimi, Kurdpa, Saqqez

Keyvan Rahimi was apprehended by security forces on October 5, 2023, and subsequently taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Saqqez, according to a report by Kurdpa.

The grounds for his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed as of now.

In September-October 2021, Rahimi was handed an eight-month prison sentence by the Saqqez Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

At Least Nine Individuals Detained Following Protest in Zahedan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Haal Vsh, Zahedan

On October 4, 2023, local law enforcement in Zahedan took at least nine citizens into custody after a protest gathering in a district within the city, according to a report by Haal Vsh. The detainees have been transported to an undisclosed location.

The individuals were reportedly apprehended at their residences.
The report has not provided details about their identities, current whereabouts, or the specific allegations against them.

Fariba Asadi Detained in Kachooie Prison for Over 20 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Asadi, Kachooie Prison, Karaj, Masoud Vazifeh, Mehran Delfan-Azari, Meysam Gholami

Fariba Asadi, a former political prisoner, remains in custody, enduring over 20 days of legal uncertainty within the confines of Kachooie Prison, Karaj.

A reliable source close to her family has conveyed to HRANA that Asadi faces charges related to violating hijab rules and spreading propaganda against the regime.

Notably, Asadi had previously been arrested by security forces in February 2021, alongside Mehran Delfan Azari, Meysam Gholami, and Masoud Vazifeh. They were detained on allegations of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in an anti-regime group.”

On October 2, 2021, Branch 2 of Shiraz’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Asadi to a one-year term for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Subsequently, she was taken into custody at her residence in Tehran in January 2022, in order to commence her sentence at Qarchak Prison in Varamin. However, she was ultimately released following a pardon under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

Journalist Sajjad Rostamzadeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Cyber Police, Masal, Masal News, Sajad Rostamzadeh, Sajjad Rostamzadeh

On Wednesday, September 27, Sajjad (Sajad) Rostamzadeh, the chief editor of Masal News, was apprehended after he was summoned and appeared at the Iranian Cyber Police headquarters.

Authorities subsequently conducted a search of Rostamzadeh’s residence and seized some of his belongings. This arrest transpired in response to a complaint filed by the Masal Prosecutor’s Office concerning the publication of a critical article.

As of now, the whereabouts of Rostamzadeh’s detention remain undisclosed.