Category: Freedom of Expression

Mohammad Nourizad Receives Five Years for New Case While Imprisoned

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Kamal Jafari Yazdi, Mashhad, Mohammad Nourizad, محمد نوریزاد

Mohammad Nourizad, a civil activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison due to a new case recently opened against him during his incarceration.

A page attributed to this civil activist reported that on Sunday, July 21, 2024, a hearing on Mr. Nourizad’s charges was held via video conference in his absence. Consequently, without having the opportunity to defend himself against the charges, he was sentenced to an additional five years in prison. The release of an audio file from prison has been cited as one of the charges against him.

In February of 2024, Nourizad was sentenced to an additional 61 months in prison due to another case opened against him during his imprisonment.

In July 2023, in yet another case, Nourizad was sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

On August 11, 2019, Mohammad Nourizad was arrested by security forces in connection with a letter signed by 14 civil activists calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei and for his presence in front of the building where Kamal Jafari Yazdi’s appeal hearing was held. He was eventually transferred from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to Evin Prison in 2020.

Nourizad’s legal ordeal began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for participating in the drafting of an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In the initial case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. Although the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support for Baha’i citizens in Eyvanki, Semnan Province.

Concerning the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, along with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order.” He also received an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was upheld on appeal as well.

Nourizad was released from Evin Prison on November 17, 2021, based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Nourizad has a history of arrests and convictions linked to his peaceful activism. He is a prominent filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.

Yousef Ziayi Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, Urmia, Yousef Ziayi, یوسف ضیایی

On Wednesday, July 31, Yousef Ziayi, a resident of Urmia, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city.

HRANA has identified him as Yousef Ziayi, 44 years old, a father of two, and a resident of Urmia.

A source close to Mr. Ziayi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Ziayi was arrested by agents of Urmia’s Ministry of Intelligence yesterday afternoon.”

The reasons for the arrest and the charges against this citizen are not yet known.

Shakila Monfared Indicted for New Legal Case While Imprisoned

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, IRGC Intelligence, Shakila Monfared, Tehran

An indictment has been issued for Shakila Monfared, a political prisoner, regarding a new case opened against her during her imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Monfared faces a new case in prison filed by Ms. Shaghaghi, the Deputy Prosecutor. On Wednesday, July 24, the indictment for this political prisoner was issued by Tehran’s District 8 Prosecutor’s Office with charges of “destruction of public property and disrupting order.”

On June 26 of this year, while on medical leave, Shakila Monfared was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after appearing at Tehran’s District 8 Prosecutor’s Office to extend her leave, despite her treatment being incomplete and her being subjected to physical assault.

Ms. Monfared was initially arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 31, 2020, while leaving her home. After completing her interrogation at one of the IRGC’s detention centers, she was transferred to Evin Prison. Finally, on September 14, she was released on bail.

The court session for the joint case against Shakila Monfared and two others was held on January 20, 2021, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. After the session, Monfared was re-arrested by IRGC intelligence agents and taken back to prison.

Ultimately, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to six years of imprisonment and four months of compulsory labor in Ministry of Agriculture Jihad for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and blasphemy.” Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court later reduced her sentence to four years and two months of definitive imprisonment.

In January 2022, Ms. Monfared was tried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for another case opened during her imprisonment. In June 2023, Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court sentenced her to two years and eight months of imprisonment for “membership in anti-regime groups” and a fine for “spreading falsehoods.”

It should be noted that on June 6, 2023, Monfared faced new charges for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” but this case was ultimately dismissed.

Additionally, in April of this year, Shakila Monfared was sentenced to twelve months of imprisonment, two years of exile, and additional punishments by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court for another case opened during her imprisonment.

Shakila Monfared, aged around 31, is a resident of Tehran.

Hora Nikbakht Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Hora Nikbakht, حورا نیکبخت

Hora Nikbakht, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on the verdict recently issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Nikbakht in Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27th, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The court session addressing these charges took place on July 10th in the mentioned branch.

Hora Nikbakht, a resident of Tehran, was arrested on June 12th after appearing at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Previously, this citizen had been summoned to the aforementioned judicial authority to defend against the assigned charges upon receiving a notice.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Two Members of Mohammad Hassanzadeh’s Family Arrested in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Solmaz Hassanzadeh

Kurdpa reports that on July 30, Ahmad Hassanzadeh and Solmaz Hassanzadeh, the father and sister of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, were arrested by security forces in Bukan and taken to an unknown location.

The report states that these individuals were arrested by security forces with physical violence at their private residence in Bukan. The officers also confiscated the mobile phones of the father, daughter, and mother.

According to a source cited in the report, “This family was attempting to hold a ceremony to commemorate the birthday of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests. However, the security agencies prevented this and arrested them.”

As of the time of this report, the whereabouts and the charges against these citizens are unknown.

Ahmad Hassanzadeh and his approximately 30-year-old daughter, Solmaz, were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Bukan and interrogated on September 5, 2023.

Additionally, Ms. Hassanzadeh was arrested at a checkpoint between Bukan and Saqqez by security forces on September 27 last year and was released shortly thereafter.

It is worth noting that Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old resident of Bukan, was shot by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and succumbed to his injuries on November 16 of the same year.

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Ali Rezaie Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Rezaie, Evin Prison, Reza Shafakhah, علی رضایی

Ali Rezaie, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Reza Shafakhah, Mr. Rezaie’s defense attorney, announced this news and wrote: “My client Ali Rezaie, who was arrested during the 2022 protests while still a teenager, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.”

Ali Rezaie, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces at his residence on December 4, 2022, in connection with the nationwide protests. Following his arrest, he was initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, and eventually transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. After one year, he was released from this prison on bail.

Last November, Reza Shafakhah provided an update on his client’s case: “My client was under 18 years old at the time of his arrest. After his case was referred to the Revolutionary Court, we challenged the jurisdiction of the court and requested that the case be referred to the juvenile court. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court made its decision and recognized Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court as competent to handle the case.”

Previously, the indictment against Mr. Rezaie was issued on charges of “assaulting a police officer” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.”

 

Hamidreza Shirzadi Sentenced to Imprisonment for Blasphemy

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, Dezpart, Hamidreza Shirzadi, HRANA, Izeh, Khuzestan, حمیدرضا شیرزادی

Hamidreza Shirzadi, a resident of Dezpart County in Khuzestan province, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the criminal court of Izeh.

Based on the verdict issued in absentia on July 21st by Branch 103 of the Second Criminal Court of Izeh, Shirzadi has been sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “blasphemy.” Posting content on Instagram was cited as an example of the charges against this citizen.

A source close to Mr. Shirzadi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and stated that another part of Shirzadi’s case, involving charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “disturbing public order,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader,” has been referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Twenty-two-year-old Hamidreza Shirzadi was arrested by security forces on September 23rd last year and released on bail in February of 2024.

Shirzadi was previously arrested in September 2021 during nationwide protests and was released after a while. His case was closed under a “general pardon and commutation” directive.

Ali Gholami’s Six-Month Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ali Gholami, Bojnurd, Bojnurd Revolutionary Court

The prison sentence of Ali Gholami, a student activist, was upheld in its entirety by Branch 2 of the Court of Appeals of North Khorasan Province. He had previously been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Bojnurd Revolutionary Court.

Amirkabir Newsletter reported that the recent sentence of Ali Gholami, a student activist at the University of Science and Technology, who had previously been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Bojnord Revolutionary Court for propaganda against the regime, was upheld by Branch 2 of the Court of Appeals of North Khorasan Province.

Ali Gholami, a student activist, has a history of judicial encounters due to his activities.

Journalist Dina Ghalibaf’s Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dina Ghalibaf, Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, دینا قالیباف

The Court of Appeals of Tehran Province has upheld the prison sentence and fine for Dina Ghalibaf, a journalist and student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Previously, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a fine, with the sentences suspended for five years.

According to the ruling recently issued by the Court of Appeals of Tehran Province and communicated to Ms. Ghalibaf’s defense lawyer, she has been sentenced to two years in prison, including time already served, and a fine of fifteen million tomans to be paid to the state treasury for the charge of “spreading falsehoods.” The issued sentences against Ms. Ghalibaf have been suspended for five years.

Part of the issued verdict states that “the defendant, under a supervisory suspension, is required to refrain from associating and interacting with individuals active in political or social fields.”

In May of this year, Ghalibaf was convicted of the aforementioned charge by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. During this stage of the trial, she was acquitted of the charges of “defying the officers” and “engaging in propaganda activities against the regime.”

Ms. Ghalibaf was arrested in Tehran on Tuesday, April 16, and after a few days, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

After the completion of interrogations and her transfer to the women’s ward of Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist imprisoned in Evin, shared her account in an audio message, describing Dina Ghalibaf as “having bruises on her body and recounting sexual abuse.”

Ghalibaf was released from Evin Prison on May 1 of this year upon posting bail.

Ms. Ghalibaf, aged around 23, is a journalist, student activist, and undergraduate student in political science at Shahid Beheshti University. She has collaborated with news agencies such as ISNA and EghtesadOnline.

She was previously summoned to the university’s disciplinary committee in 2023 after participating in a student protest at the university, which was held in response to the execution of the defendants in the Isfahan house case.

Ten Poeple Arrested by Security Forces in Kamyaran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Amanj Ghorbani, Amir Nadimi, Farideh Vaisi, Farzin Movafaghi, Hamid Sabzeh, Hesam Mahdi, Kamyaran

On Wednesday, July 24, Hesam Mahdi, Amir Nadimi, Farideh Vaisi, Hamid Sabzeh, Amanj Ghorbani, and Farzin Movafaghi, along with four other citizens, were arrested in Kamyaran and transfered to an undisclosed location, according to Kolbar News. The arrest took place during the funeral of Esmaeil Karimi, a forest ranger who was fatally injured while extinguishing the fire in Kamyaran.

The identities of six of them have been reported as “Hesam Mahdi, Amir Nadimi, Farideh Vaisi, Hamid Sabzeh, Amanj Ghorbani, and Farzin Movafaghi.”

According to the report, the arrest of these citizens occurred during the funeral of Esmaeil Karimi, a natural resources officer. Karimi was injured in a fire incident in the village of Kani Gisheh, Kamyaran County, on Monday, July 22, and was transferred to Kosar Hospital in Sanandaj. He passed away the previous day due to the severity of his burns, which covered eighty percent of his body.

No information is available yet about the whereabouts and charges against these detained citizens.

Among these individuals, Farideh Vaisi, Amir Nadimi, Amanj Ghorbani, and Farzin Movafaghi have previously been arrested and faced judicial actions.