Category: Freedom of Expression

Shermin Habibi Taken into Custody by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Fereydoon Mahmoodi, Mahsa Amini, Saqqez, Shermin Habibi

August 22, 2023 – Shermin Habibi has been apprehended by security forces and transported to an undisclosed destination. She is the spouse of Fereydoon Mahmoodi, one of the individuals killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

The motives behind her arrest and her whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Fereydoon Mahmoodi was shot dead during the protests on September 19, 2022. In a subsequent development in April 2023, the Saqqez & Baneh Military Court officially affirmed the culpability of Special Forces in Mahmoodi’s unfortunate demise. However, the case was ultimately closed, citing the inability to identify the specific shooter as a pretext.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for allegedly 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.

 

Former Political Prisoners Forough Taghipour & Marzieh Farsi Detained in Tehran

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, Tehran

Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, former political prisoners, were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21.

A source, closely tied to the families, confirmed their arrest to HRANA. As of this moment, the detainees have not been able to reach out to their families, although indications suggest that they might have been transferred to Evin Prison.

Of particular concern is the health of Mrs. Farsi, who is battling cancer and requires immediate access to her medication, a pressing issue that has raised alarm within her family.

It’s worth noting that they have a history of previous convictions and incarceration related to their activism.

 

Film Director Navid Mihandoost Begins Three-Year Term at Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Navid Mihandoost, Reza Mihandoost

Writer and film director Navid (Reza) Mihandoost has commenced a three-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court previously handed down this three-year imprisonment due to charges of “actions against national security through involvement and collaboration with anti-regime groups aiming to overthrow the government.” Additionally, he was sentenced to an extra six months for “disseminating propaganda against the regime by inscribing protest slogans on city walls.”

On August 18, 2020, the appeal process affirmed this verdict. As per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year prison term is now in effect.

In December 2019, Mihandoost was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence agents and confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was subsequently released on bail after two months, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Aged around 51, Mihandoost hails from Nowshahr and boasts an accomplished career as a director for several TV series and cinema productions.

Imam of Friday Prayer in Rask Apprehended by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Chah Bahar, Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi, Rask

Fathi Mohammad Naghshbandi, the Imam of Friday Prayer in Rask, has been arrested by security forces on August 20, according to a report by Rasank News.

Naghshbandi’s arrest reportedly occurred during his journey from Rask to Chah Bahar. Agents from both the IRGC intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence allegedly coordinated with the Chah Bahar oil company to summon Naghshbandi to Chah Bahar under the pretext of collecting his fuel allocation for his vehicle and his family members. Subsequently, security forces intercepted and detained him along the route.

The exact location where Naghshbandi is being held remains undisclosed. The nature of the charges against him has yet to be revealed.

It’s worth noting that Naghshbandi had previously received summons from judicial authorities, indicating a prior interaction with legal proceedings.

Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey Receives Six-Year Prison Sentence

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, Sari, Tir Kola

Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, a resident of Sari, has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Sari Revolutionary Court. The verdict includes the forfeiture of particular possessions, a travel prohibition, and other social restrictions.

The court’s ruling specifies that Moradi Kia-Pey will serve five years for “inciting actions against national security by disseminating false accusations against the regime” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.” Among the items seized are technical and telecommunications equipment, along with SIM cards. Furthermore, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without limitations.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison will be enforceable.

On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. He was subsequently confined in a detention facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.

Moradi Kia-Pey had a previous encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted clemency through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after roughly 30 days of confinement.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Mohammad Vaziri Arrested in Isfahan

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Chalus, HRANA, Isfahan, Koroush Vaziri, Mohammad Vaziri, Shirin Alizadeh

On August 17, Mohammad (Koroush) Vaziri was arrested by security forces in Isfahan and taken to an undisclosed location. His wife, Shirin Alizadeh fell victim to regime forces in Chalus, Mazandaran province, amid the nationwide protests (aka Mahsa Amini protests).

A source close to the Vaziri family disclosed to HRANA that Vaziri’s detention transpired after a commemorative ceremony at his wife’s gravesite on her birthday. His apprehension unfolded at the entrance of the cemetery. This source outlined that during the arrest, authorities confiscated both his mobile phones and those of his friends and accompanying relatives.

The motives behind this arrest, Vaziri’s current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shirin Alizadeh was tragically shot dead by the police/security forces on September 22 during the 2022 nationwide protests.

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.

 

Poet and Workers’ Rights Activist Peyman Farhangian Sentenced to One Year in Prison Alongside Additional Penalties

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh, Lahijan, Peyman Farhangian, Seyed-Sadegh Hosseini, Zabol

Peyman Farhangian, a poet and workers’ rights activist, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by the Criminal Court of Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh. This ruling also encompasses a travel ban and other social restrictions.

The court has deemed Farhangian guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison term, he faces a mandatory two-year residency requirement in Zabol, a two-year prohibition from leaving the country, and the mandate to delete his Instagram account.

The initial verdict, issued on September 23, 2020, under the jurisdiction of Judge Seyed-Sadegh Hosseini, amounted to a staggering 38-year prison term. However, a significant development occurred on May 15, 2021, when the Court of Appeals in Gilan Province lessened the sentence to a decade behind bars. Seven years of this revised sentence remained suspended for a period of five years.

Following his conviction, Farhangian was incarcerated in Lahijan, located in Gilan Province, on May 16, 2022, marking the commencement of his imprisonment. Subsequently, he was granted provisional release in December 2022.

Narges Sardari Apprehended in Tehran

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, Narges Sardari, Tehran

On August 16, Security forces arrested Narges Sardari at her residence in Tehran, subsequently transporting her to an undisclosed destination.

A source connected to her family, who shared insights with HRANA, disclosed that during the apprehension, she was compelled to bring her three-year-old child along, who was later entrusted to a family member a few hours following the incident at the courthouse.

Furthermore, Narges Sardari’s spouse, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, a well-known actor and comedian, has been under detention for more than two months. Etemad Saeed’s arrest was executed by security forces on June 9, 2023, in Tehran. Intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated a portion of his possessions.

The precise reasons underlying her arrest, and her current location are currently unknown.

 

 

Additional Four Individuals Detained in Gilan Province

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Gilan province, Hooman Taheri, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Siah, Vahedeh Khoshsirat

In a recent development on Wednesday, August 16, security forces apprehended Shiva Shah Siah, Vahedeh Khoshsirat, Hooman Taheri, and Sara Jahani in Gilan Province.

This event follows HRANA’s report of the arrest of seven women’s rights activists on the same day within the province.

Khoshsirat and Shah Siah, both advocates for women’s rights, were taken into custody in Lahijan. Meanwhile, Mr. Taheri and Mrs. Jahani were apprehended separately in Rasht.

The precise reasons underlying their detentions, their current locations, and the specific charges brought against them all remain undisclosed at this juncture.

Blogger Elaheh Askari Detained in Evin Prison Following Arrest

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Elaheh Askari, Evin Prison

Elaheh Askari, a blogger, was taken into custody by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on August 16, 2023. She has subsequently been placed in detention at Evin Prison.

Reports indicate that Askari’s arrest occurred outside the Immigration & Passport Police Office, where she had gone to retrieve her passport. Following her apprehension, law enforcement agents conducted a search of her residence.

At present, the precise grounds for Askari’s detention and the specific allegations against her remain undisclosed.