Masoud Vazifeh Arrested in Shahr-e-Rey

On September 4, 2022, security forces arrested former political prisoner Masoud Vazifeh and transferred him to an unidentified location.

The reason for his arrest and the charges are unknown so far.

Last year, the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar sentenced Vazifeh to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. He served his sentence in the Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Azar Karoondi Musazadeh Sentenced to Five Years Imprisonment 

The Tehran Court of Appeals upheld Azar Karoondi Musazadeh’s sentence verdict. Previously, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran had sentenced her to five years in prison on the charge of “collusion and assembly against national security through collaboration with the MEK. (Mujahedin-e-Khalq)”.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political activist Azar Karoondi Musazadeh was sentenced to five years in prison.

In early January, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Azar Karvandi Musazadeh and Roghayeh Soltani Mirzai to five years in prison and seizure of private property. 

An informed source told HRANA about their trial, saying that there was no evidence to support the charges as they had been summoned by security agents for holding several meetings. They were tried without an attorney and condemned based on their family’s political background. 

Film Director Ali Ahmadzadeh Arrested

On August 30, 2022, film director Ali Ahmadzadeh was summoned and arrested.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Radio Farda, film director Ali Ahmadzadeh was summoned and arrested.

The reasons and the government agency responsible for this arrest are unknown so far. However, it seems that this arrest may be related to the film Ahmadzadeh recently directed without obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

In recent months, reportedly, Ahmadzadeh has been summoned frequently by security institutions.

In recent months, the security forces have intensified the pressure upon cinematographers as two other film directors, Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof have been arrested.

Milad Eftekhari’s Three-Year Sentence Upheld

The Court of Appeals of Fars Province upheld Milad Eftekhari’s sentencing verdict. Earlier in July,  Eftekhari was sentenced to three years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Court of Appeals of Fars Province sentenced Milad Eftekhari to three years in prison.

According to the verdict, Eftekhari was sentenced to one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”, and two years on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran”. He was also banned from leaving Iran and having a social media presence for two years. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years imprisonment will be enforceable for the first charge.

On May 23, 2022, security forces arrested Eftekhari at his home and transferred him to Larestan Prison. He was released later on a 100 million tomans bail.

On June 22, 2021, IRGC Intelligence summoned and interrogated Eftekhari for his criticisms of the IRGC and Supreme Leader on social media. He was later released.

Eftekhari, age 26, is a resident of Larestan, Fars Province, and a graduate student at Tehran University.

 

Baha’i Individuals Arrested in Qaemshahr and Sari

On August 31, 2022, intelligence agents arrested 14 Baha’is in Sari and Qaemshahr, Mazandaran Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 31, 2022, 14 Baha’is identified as Mahsa Fathi, Samieh Gholinejad, Negar Darabi, Basir Samimi, and Hengameh Alipour were arrested in Sari. Also, Afnaneh Naeimian, Mojir Samimi, Mani Gholinejad, Nazanin Goli, Sam Samimi, Sananz Hekmat Shoar, Bita Haghighi, Anis Senai, and Golin Falah were arrested in Qaemshahr.

All these individuals were transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Sari.

The reasons for these arrests and the charges are unknown so far.

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Ahmadreza Haeri Sentenced to Four Years

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced former political prisoner Ahmadreza Haeri to four years and four months in prison.

Ramin Safarnia, Haeri’s lawyer, wrote on social media that Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court notified him of Haeri’s verdict. Haeri has been sentenced to three years and eight months on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security”, and eight months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, three years and eight months for the first charge will be enforceable.

On June 27, 2022, security forces arrested Haeri in Tehran. In early August, he was released on a bail amount of one billion tomans. During the whole period of detention, he had been denied access to a lawyer.

Azerbaijani Turk Activist Rahim Panahian Arrested in Tabriz

On August 28, 2022, security forces arrested Azerbaijani Turk Activist Rahim Panahian at his father’s house in Tabriz and transferred him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 28, 2022, Azerbaijani Turk Activist Rahim Panahian, age 19, was arrested in Tabriz.

The reason for this arrest, the charges, and his whereabouts are unknown so far.

Students and Reporters Arrested in Tehran Protest 

On August 27, 2022, students held a protest against compulsory military service before the Iranian Public Conscription Organization in Tehran, which led to the arrest of several students and reporters. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 27, 2022, the police arrested several students and reporters during a protest against compulsory military service.

The identity and whereabouts of these individuals are unknown so far.

The students had previously demanded a response from the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Two-year mandatory conscription for male individuals above 18 has caused a financial burden on poor families who cannot afford to buy out the conscription.

Heyman Abdi Arrested in Shahin-Dej

The intelligence agents arrested Heyman Abdi, a resident of Shahin Dej, and transferred him to a detention facility in Miandoab.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the intelligence agents arrested Heyman Abdi in Shahin Dej, the West Azerbaijan Province.

According to an informed source, the security forces did not show an arrest warrant and mentioned the collaboration with one of the anti-regime political parties as the reason for Abdi’s arrest.

Gonabadi Dervish Mohammad Chegini Arrested in Kerman

On August 24, 2022, security forces arrested Mohammad Chegini in Kerman and transferred him to an unidentified location. Chegini is a Gonabadi Dervish, a minority which has been subject to persecution in recent years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 24, 2022, Mohammad Chegini was arrested in Kerman.

According to an informed source, the agents did not show an arrest warrant.

The reason for this arrest and Chegini’s whereabouts are unknown so far.