Category: Freedom of Expression

Ramin Alinia’s Six-Year Prison Sentence Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
ardabil prison, Ramin Alinia, Salavati

The Tehran Court of Appeal has confirmed the six-year sentence imposed on Ramin Alinia Tazeh-Kand, an Azerbaijani (Turk) activist who was apprehended during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Originally, Judge Salavati of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had pronounced a five-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” Alinia has also been subjected to a two-year ban on leaving the country, participating in political groups and parties, and engaging in activities on media and social platforms. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five-year term for the first charge will be enforceable.

Alinia was taken into custody by security forces in Ardabil on November 8, 2022. After spending 12 days in detention, he was granted release on bail from Ardabil Prison.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

Supreme Court Confirms Death Sentence for Abbas Deris

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Deris, irgc, November 2019 Protests, reza sayyadi

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence against Abbas Deris, who was arrested during the November 2019 protests. Deris has been convicted of the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

Announcing this development, Fereshteh Tabanian, the lawyer representing Deris stated that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has confirmed this verdict desptie the flaws in this case. Furhter, she announced that she will ask for a retrial.

Currently incarcerated at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, Deris was initially sentenced to death by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” It is important to note that Deris’s brother, who was also a co-defendant in this case, has been acquitted of all charges. Both individuals were apprehended on December 8, 2019.

During the course of his interrogation by the IRGC, Deris was coerced into confessing to firing shots at security forces, resulting in the death of Police Captain Reza Sayyadi. This coerced confession was later broadcasted by Iran-state TV. However, during the trial, Deris admitted to participating in the protests but denied any involvement in shooting at security forces.

Abbas Deris, aged approximately 49, is a father of three children.

In November 2019, an increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across the country. The spokesperson of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Seyed Hossein Taghavi, announced that 7000 people were arrested during these protests. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by the security apparatus.

Akbar Danesh Sararudi Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Danesh Sararudi, irgc, IRGC Intelligence unit, Isfahan

On July 3, 2023, political activist Akbar Danesh Sararudi was arrested in Isfahan by security forces. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of Sararudi is believed to have been carried out by the IRGC Intelligence unit, according to a reliable source close to his family. However, the specific reasons behind his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Sararudi, a resident of Isfahan, has been involved in political activism.

Babak Karimi Receives Nine-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Karimi, Eyvan Gharb, Ilam, Kurdpa

Babak Karimi, a resident of Eyvan Gharb, has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Ilam Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa. Karimi was apprehended during the nationwide protests of 2022.

According to the verdict, Karimi has been given five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and two years for “insulting the former Supreme Leader of Iran.”

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, the five-year sentence for the first charge will be enforced. Karimi was arrested by security forces on September 21, 2022, in Eyvan Gharb, Ilam province. He was released on February 6, 2023, after posting a two-billion-toman bail from Ilam Prison.

Trial Begins for Hip-Hop Singer Toomaj Salehi at Isfahan Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Isfahan, Morteza Barati, Toomaj Salehi

The Isfahan Revolutionary Court’s Branch 1 commenced the court session for the charges against Toomaj Salehi on July 2, 2023.

Presided over by Judge Morteza Barati, the court proceedings included the presence of Salehi’s attorney, Amir Raisian, who represented his client.

According to Raisian, who spoke to Shargh Newspaper, Salehi has been charged with “spreading corruption on earth,” “propaganda against the regime,” “inciting people to wage war,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

A reliable source earlier revealed that Salehi sustained injuries to his right foot and eye as a result of beatings during the interrogation. He continues to suffer from these injuries.

In late October 2022, Salehi was arrested by security forces. Official media claimed that he was apprehended while attempting to leave the country illegally, a claim refuted by individuals close to Salehi.

The protest singer has a previous conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined. The imprisonment was suspended for one year.

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Golrokh Iraee’s Sentence Reduced to Five Years on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, golrokh iraee, Tehran

Golrokh Iraee, a former political prisoner, has had her sentence reduced to five years by the Tehran Court of Appeals. Initially, she had been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The court handed down this verdict in response to charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “disturbing public order.” In addition to the prison term, Iraee has also been prohibited from joining political and civil groups, restricted from staying in Tehran, barred from leaving the country for two years, and had her cell phone confiscated.

The court session took place on June 18, 2023.

Iraee was violently arrested by security forces at her residence in Tehran on September 26, 2022. After being held in multiple detention facilities, she was eventually imprisoned in Evin Prison on October 30, 2022. In April 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to seven years and additional punishments.

It is noteworthy that Iraee has faced previous arrests and convictions on multiple occasions.

 

 

Former Political Prisoner Milad Arsanjani Arrested Once Again

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Milad Arsanjani

On July 2, 2023, Milad Arsanjani, a former political prisoner who had previously been detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, was once again apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Arsanjani was arrested at his father’s residence. The specific reasons for his arrest have not yet been disclosed.

Arsanjani had previously been arrested in September 2022 during the nationwide protests and subsequently imprisoned in Evin Prison. From January 9 to 12, 2023, he was temporarily transferred to a Police Criminal Investigation Department detention facility. This political prisoner was later released from Evin Prison under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

It is worth noting that Arsanjani has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Political Activist Abolfazl Ghadyani Receives Ten-Month Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Ghadyani, Iranian Political Activist, Kaleme, Tehran

Political Activist Abolfazl Ghadyani was recently sentenced to ten months by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, according to Kaleme News Outlet. Ghadyani is also currently facing another legal case and has been summoned in relation to it.

Ghadyani’s ten-month sentence was given on grounds of “propaganda against the regime,” while the Criminal Court has additionally indicted him for “spreading falsehood on the Internet.”

It’s worth noting that he has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

 

Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Sentecned to Five Years and Eight Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, Tehran, workers' rights activists

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld a five-year and eight-month sentence against Anisha Asadollahi, according to a report from the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years of the imposed sentence.

In May 2023, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 in the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a five-year sentence to Asadollahi for “assembly and collusion against national security,” along with an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were arrested at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. However, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is worth noting that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

Majid Khademi Receives Nine-Year and Three-Month Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, irgc, Mahshahr, Majid Khademi, Taft, Yazd Province

Majid Khademi, a 31-year-old resident of Behbahan, has been handed a sentence of nine years and three months by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, following a plea of no contest.

Originally, Khademi had been sentenced to ten years and one month. However, after entering a plea of no contest, the sentence was reduced from six years and three months to five years and five months for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The convictions of two years and six months for “propaganda against the regime” and one year and four months for “membership in anti-regime groups” remain unchanged.
Additionally, as part of the ruling, Khademi has been ordered to serve two years of exile in Taft, Yazd Province. He is also prohibited from joining any political or civil groups and is mandated to attend orientation classes.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial prison term of five years and five months will be enforced. Furthermore, Khademi faces additional charges in the second part of his legal case, which has been transferred to Behbahan Criminal Court.

On January 18, 2020, Khademi, along with Mehran Gharebaghi, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence and subsequently taken to a detention facility in Behbahan City. Following one month of interrogation, they were transferred to Behbahan Prison.

On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings.