Category: Freedom of Expression

Court of Appeals Upholds Arash Sadeghi’s Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Sadeghi, Mahsa Amini, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals

The Tehran Court of Appeals has confirmed the four-year, three-month sentence imposed on Arash Sadeghi, a prominent former political prisoner.

In this ruling, Sadeghi has been sentenced to three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” in addition to eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year and seven-month portion of the sentence will be enforceable.

Earlier in January 2023, Sadeghi had been initially sentenced to five years and eight months, alongside other penalties. A retrial was conducted on April 11, 2023, following an objection raised by Sadeghi’s legal counsel.

Arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests of 2022 on October 12, 2022, Sadeghi was subsequently taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On January 21, 2023, he was granted release on bail.

It’s worth noting that Sadeghi has a history of previous arrests and convictions.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Arrest of Armin Rostami in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aida Rostami, Armin Rostami, Mahsa Amini, Tehran

Armin Rostami has been apprehended by security forces in Tehran and transported to an undisclosed facility.

The specific grounds for his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges against him remain unknown at this time.

Notably, Armin’s sister, Aida Rostami, was a 36-year-old physician who provided medical assistance to injured protestors during the 2022 nationwide protests, offering aid outside of medical facilities to protect their identities. On December 13, 2022, her death was reported under suspicious circumstances. While security-affiliated media outlets claimed her demise resulted from an accident, her family has confirmed the presence of torture marks on her body.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Arrest of Three Family Members in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohmoud-Masoud Moeini, Parastoo Moeini, Tehran, ward 209, Zahra Safaie

On September 12, 2023, Zahra Safaie, Parastoo Moeini, and Mohmoud-Masoud Moeini, three members of the same family, were apprehended at their Tehran residence and are currently being held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

HRANA received information about their arrests from a source close to the family.

The exact reasons for their detentions and the charges brought against them are presently undisclosed. It’s worth noting that these detainees have previously encountered legal issues related to political matters and have been incarcerated in the past.

Two Individuals Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Nirvana Torbati, Parand Qaradaghi

On Sunday, September 10, 2023, security forces detained Parand Qaradaghi and Nirvana Torbati while they were at their workplace in Gorgan. Subsequently, the agents transferred them to an undisclosed facility.

A reliable source, with close ties to their family, shared details of their arrest, which occurred at the café where they were employed. Notably, the café has also been forced to cease its operations.

As of now, the motives behind their arrest and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Three Iranians Living Abroad Detained by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iran prisoner swap, Mizan

The Ministry of Intelligence has detained three Iranian individuals residing abroad, accusing them of “leading protests” in Iran, according to a report by Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency. Mizan has also released a video featuring their “coerced confessions.”

The report asserts that the detainees were living in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. Mizan mentions the identities of two of these individuals as Yaser (last name undisclosed) and Erfan (last name undisclosed), but it provides no information about the third person’s identity.

The report does not specify whether these individuals hold dual foreign citizenship or have solely obtained residency in the mentioned countries (UK, Germany, and the US).

Based on the published video, it appears that these individuals were apprehended upon their return to Iran.

These arrests follow a recent prisoner swap deal between Iran and Western countries in recent months and precede the imminent release of Iran’s frozen assets. Many observers believe that the Iranian government detains foreign and dual nationals to exert leverage in negotiations with Western countries or for political purposes.

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Teacher Union Activist Mohammad-Sadegh Fahimi Arrested in Yazd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Mohammad-Sadegh Fahimi, Yazd

Teacher union activist Mohammad-Sadegh Fahimi was arrested in Yazd following pensioners’ protest rallies. The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations reported his detention and transfer to an undisclosed facility. It has been confirmed that Fahimi was apprehended by security forces at his residence.

The specific cause for Fahimi’s arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Fahimi is an active member of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association in Yazd Province.

Two Women Detained by Security Forces in Ilam

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Freedom of Expression, News
Batool Omidi, Fakhri Omidi, HRANA, Ilam

On Monday, September 11, Batool Omidi and Fakhri Omidi were apprehended by security forces in Ilam and subsequently transferred to the city’s prison.

A source informed HRANA that “they were detained for distributing flyers pertaining to protests and have been placed in the quarantine section of Ilam Prison.”
As per this source, they have been accused of “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Poet and Writer Habib Mousavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Habib Mousavi, irgc, IRGC’s intelligence, Ramezan Haji Mashhadi

Habib Mousavi, a poet and writer, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by the Gorgan Criminal Court. Mousavi’s attorney, Ramezan Haji Mashhadi, was officially notified of his conviction for “disseminating false information on the Internet.” Additionally, Mousavi has been fined 20 million Tomans.

A source who spoke to HRANA cited “protesting against rising bread prices” as an example of the charge brought against Mousavi.

In the second segment of his legal proceedings, for the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” Mousavi had previously received an eight-month prison term, which was later commuted to a 20-million-toman fine,

Mousavi, 50 years old, was arrested on July 31, 2023, shortly after receiving a summons and visiting the IRGC’s intelligence office in Gorgan, Golestan Province.

Payam Bastani Parizi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Payam Bastani Parizi, Tehran

On September 11, Payam Bastani Parizi was apprehended at his father’s residence in Tehran and subsequently transported to an undisclosed detention center. Notably, Bastani Parizi had previously been detained in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022.

A source closely associated with his family relayed to HRANA that a group of eight security agents conducted the arrest at his father’s residence. The grounds for Bastani Parizi’s detention, his current location, and the charges against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

Bastani Parizi’s initial arrest occurred on September 24, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Tehran. He was subsequently released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary on February 8, 2023, under the “pardon and commutation” directive implemented at that time.

It’s noteworthy that Bastani Parizi, aged 36, has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

Arrests of Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Shirafkan, Amirabad prison, Behrooz Izadi Rad, Gorgan

On Friday, September 10, Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan, both residents of Gorgan, were apprehended and taken to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to the family of one of these detainees has confirmed their arrest by security forces.

As of now, the precise reasons behind their arrests and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.
It’s noteworthy that Izadi Rad had previously been arrested on May 15, 2023, and subsequently incarcerated in Amirabad Prison, Gorgan. He regained his freedom on bail on August 22, 2023.
Izadi Rad has encountered prior arrests and convictions due to his involvement in various activities.