Category: Freedom of Expression

Film Director Mohammad Rasoulof’s Conviction Confirmed by Appellate Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Paknia, Mohammad Rasoulof, بابک پاکنیا, محمد رسول اف

The Appellate Court of Tehran has confirmed the initial verdict against the acclaimed film director Mohammad Rasoulof.

Rasoulof’s lawyer, Babak Paknia, announced that Rasoulof faces a sentence of eight years in prison, in addition to flogging, a monetary fine, and the confiscation of his property. The enforcement of five years of this sentence has been authorized by the executive branch of the Department of Justice.

Paknia stated that Rasoulof was found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The charges were based on “petitioning through open statements and his work in producing and directing documentaries.”

It should also be noted that this is not Rasoulof’s first encounter with the legal system; he has been arrested and convicted previously.

Nowruz Rokhdad Receives Imprisonment on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Nowruz Rokhdad, Yasuj, نوروز رخداد

Nowruz Rokhdad, from Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, has been sentenced to a total of 37 months and 18 days in prison, with 30 months and two days suspended for two years.

The sentencing, delivered by Judge Taheri-Nasab of the Revolutionary Court in Yasuj, includes 17 months and 16 days for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and 15 months and one day each for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Additionally, two other charges against Rokhdad, “disseminating false information to disturb public opinion” and “publishing vulgar pictures on the Internet,” will be handled by the Criminal Court.

Rokhdad, approximately 34 years old, was initially arrested on December 18, 2023, during a courthouse appearance. He spent ten days in Deshdasht prison before being released on bond.

Pediatrician Arrested for Anti-Execution Protest in Lordegan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Besharat, Lordegan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Mehrshard Kunlayni, محمود مهرابی, مهرشاد کلینی

In Lordegan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Mehrshard Kunlayni, a pediatric specialist, was arrested by security forces after he protested against capital punishment, displaying a placard in a public area.

The placard Kunlayni held read, “No to the execution of Khosrow Besharat and Mahmoud Mehrabi.” Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner, has recently been sentenced to death. Meanwhile, Khosrow Besharat, a Sunni prisoner on death row, faces imminent execution at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Kunlayni’s whereabouts and his condition are unknown at this time.

Two Individuals Detained by Security Forces in Piranshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hossein Bayazidi, Naqadeh, Piranshahr, Somayeh Ghaderi

On May 6, 2024, security forces apprehended Somayeh Ghaderi and Hossein Bayazidi in Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan province, and transported them to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa.

Somayeh Ghaderi’s brother, Mohsen Ghaderi, is presently incarcerated in Naqadeh Prison on political charges. The individuals were reportedly taken from their residences without the presentation of any arrest warrant. As of now, the motive for their detention, their current whereabouts, and the specifics of the allegations against them remain unknown.

Omid Mehrban Sentenced to Over One Year and Nine Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Behbahan, Mohammad-Hassan Mehrban, Omid Mehrban

The Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Mohammad-Hassan (Omid) Mehrban to one year, nine months, and two days.

Mehrban’s lawyer, Sajjad Chatrsefid, announced that his client received one year, three months, and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and six months and one day for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Mehrban has the right to appeal the verdict.

Mehrban was arrested by IRGC Intelligence at his workplace in Behbahan on September 9, 2023. On September 27, he was transferred from the IRGC detention facility in Ahvaz to Behbahan Prison after his interrogation ended. He was released on bail after seven days.

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Six Individuals Arrested in Oshnavieh by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Fakhreddin Modarresi, Hassan Rasouli, Hesameddin Mohmoudi, Moloud Roosta, Omid Rashid-Pak, Oshnavieh, Rahim Rafa'ati

Security forces in Oshnavieh, West Azerbaijan province, arrested six residents and transferred them to an undisclosed location, according to reports from Kurdpa.

The individuals have been identified as Omid Rashid-Pak, Fakhreddin Modarresi, Rahim Rafa’ati, Hesameddin Mohmoudi (aged 19), Moloud Roosta, and Hassan Rasouli.

Rashid-Pak and Modarresi were taken into custody on May 2, while the other four were arrested on May 1, 2024.

The reasons for their arrests, their current locations, and the charges against them remain unknown at this time.

Journalist Mohammad Parsi Faces Legal Action

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Parsi, Nika Shakarami, محمد پارسی

The Tehran prosecutor has initiated legal action against journalist Mohammad Parsi for “publishing an article detailing Nika Shakarami’s death.” Parsi confirmed this legal action to the public.

Recently, a report by the BBC revealed leaked documents about the sexual assault and murder of teenage girl Nika Shakarami, committed by security forces during nationwide protests. This report has sparked widespread reactions, resulting in the arrest of several individuals by the Iranian regime in an attempt to silence dissent.

Parsi, the chief editor of the literary magazine Kandoo, has previously faced legal challenges for his journalistic work.

Student Motahareh Goonehei Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ardabil, Mehdi Hadizadeh, Motahareh Goonehei, Tehran University of Medical Science, مطهره گونه ای

On May 1, 2024, Motahareh Goonehei, a student at Tehran University of Medical Science, was summoned and arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Tehran.

A source close to Goonehei’s family confirmed to HRANA that she was summoned by IRGC Intelligence over the phone, leading to her arrest. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The charges against Goonehei have not been disclosed at this time.

Both Goonehei and her husband, Mehdi Hadizadeh, who is also a student at Tehran University of Medical Science, had previously been suspended from the university and required to continue their studies at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.

Goonehei was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Soran Mahmoudi Sentenced to Three Years for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Soran Mahmoudi, سوران محمودی

The Revolutionary Court of Mahabad has sentenced Soran Mahmoudi, a resident of Piranshahr, to three years in prison on political charges, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Judge Doosti, who presided over the case, sentenced Mahmoudi to three years for “membership in a group aiming to undermine national security.” Mahmoudi was initially arrested by security forces in September 2023 and was released on bail in November while awaiting legal proceedings.

Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Zadeh Arrested and Jailed in Sabzevar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Joveyn County, Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Zadeh, Sabzevar, محمد حسین محبی زاده

Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Zadeh, a resident of Joveyn County in Razavi Khorasan Province, was arrested and jailed in Sabzevar Prison, on April 29.

A source close to Mohebi-Zadeh’s family informed HRANA that he was apprehended by police and taken to Sabzevar Prison. The specific reason for his arrest is unknown at this time. He had previously been detained by security forces on February 29, 2024, in Sabzevar, and was held for two days before being released on bail.

Subsequently, Mohebi-Zadeh was summoned and indicted for “disseminating false information.” He has a history of judicial confrontations due to his activism.