Category: Freedom of Expression

Ten Teacher Union Activists Sentenced to a Collective 20 Years with Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Ali Nahali, Anoosh Adeli, Aziz Ghasemzadeh, Gholamreza Akbarzadeh Baghian, Iranian Teachers, Jahanbakhsh Lajevardi, Mahmood Sedighipour, Mohammad-Javad Saeedi, Rasht, Tahmasb Sohrabi, Teacher Union Activists, Teymoor Bagheri Koodakani, Yadollah Baharestani

The Revolutionary Court of Rasht has sentenced ten teacher union activists to two years in prison each, along with additional penalties, as reported by the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association channel.

The convicted teachers are Anoosh Adeli, Mahmood Sedighipour, Aziz Ghasemzadeh, Teymoor Bagheri Koodakani, Tahmasb Sohrabi, Gholamreza Akbarzadeh Baghian, Ali Nahali, Mohammad-Javad Saeedi, Jahanbakhsh Lajevardi, and Yadollah Baharestani. In addition to the prison terms, they have been barred from joining political/civil groups for two years.

The court session addressed charges related to “disturbing public order through participating in and holding protest union gatherings and defying police officers.” Sedighipour and Ghasemzadeh were imprisoned and did not attend the court.

Among them, Adeli, Sedighipour, and Ghasemzadeh had previously received a one-year prison term, which was upheld on appeal. They are currently serving their sentences in Lakan Prison, Rasht.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 1,700 reports related to the rights of trade unions and associations. This included 53 individuals who received sentences totaling 1,230 months of imprisonment.

Political Detainee Saman Yasin Moved to Psychiatric Hospital

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar, judge Salavati, Karaj, Mahsa Amini Protests, Reza Shafa-Khah, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin, سامان یاسین

Saman Seydi (Yasin), detained during the 2022 nationwide protests, was transferred from Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj to Aminabad Psychiatric Hospital on March 5, 2024.

A source close to his family confirmed Seydi’s relocation to Aminabad Hospital. In a recent open letter addressed to the head of the Judiciary, Saman Yasin expressed his objection to his 18-month detention, stating a preference for a death sentence over being held in legal limbo.

Seydi has been temporarily moved to a hospital outside the prison environment. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran’s Branch 15, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, has taken charge of Seydi’s case. A recent court session was postponed due to the absence of the public defender. Frustrated by the prolonged detention and as a form of protest, Seydi injured himself by hitting his head on the wall.

Reza Shafa-Khah, Seydi’s legal representative, has condemned the extended detention, citing it as a violation of the law.

Arrested by security forces on October 2, 2022, during the nationwide Mahsa Amini Protests, Seydi faced convictions on various charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and “assembly and collusion against national security,” resulting in a death sentence on October 29, 2023. However, the Supreme Court of Iran overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his case to another court branch for retrial.

Despite Seydi’s requests, he has not been granted representation from a private lawyer. On August 2, 2023, along with six other political prisoners, he was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, to Evin Prison. On September 3, 2023, he was moved to Ghezel Hesar Prison, along with twelve other prisoners, without prior notice, and has since been held in the ward designated for prisoners with drug-related convictions.

On January 28 of this year, Seydi sustained injuries during an altercation between political prisoners and prison guards.

Jamshid Azizi’s Prison Sentence for Political Charges Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan province, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Jamshid Azizi, Mehdi Rasekhi

The Appellate Court of Gilan Province has upheld the four-year, 47-day prison term imposed on Jamshid Azizi Nunakaran.

This verdict includes three years and six months and one day for “assembly and collusion against national security” and seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” As per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, dictating that in cases of multiple charges, the most severe penalty shall be enforced, he is sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

The initial verdict was issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi.

Azizi’s legal troubles began on April 16, 2023, when IRGC intelligence agents arrested him at his residence. Following 40 days of detention, he was released on bail. A reliable source confirmed to HRANA that Azizi was denied access to legal representation during his detention.

Mehrdad Bakhtiari Faces Six-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aban protests, Karaj, Mehrdad Bakhtiari, Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari

The Revolutionary Court of Karaj has handed down a six-year prison sentence to Mehrdad Bakhtiari, along with a two-year travel ban, and two-year exile in Shahrekord. He is the paternal uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, who tragically lost his life at the hands of regime forces during the 2019 Protests, aka Aban Protests.

Bakhtiari publicly disclosed that he was given five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

This legal case unfolded in July 2022 when charges were filed against Bakhtiari and Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari’s mother. It is noteworthy that in a separate case initiated by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court, Bakhtiari was acquitted of the charges against him.

Bakhtiari’s arrest occurred on July 11, 2022, after he shared a video on social media about Shirpisheh’s arrest and posted pictures of her residence’s door, which had been broken by authorities. Following his arrest, Bakhtiari was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was released on bail on September 3, 2022, until the end of legal proceedings.
In a tragic and interconnected series of events, Bakhtiari’s son, Pouya, at the age of 27, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2019 protests, also known as the Aban Protests, in Karaj. According to his sister and mother, Pouya succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after being shot in the head during the second day of the protest’s eruption.

The sentencing and associated restrictions underscore a worrisome development, exemplifying the state of freedom of expression and political dissent in Iran.

Ramin Haeri Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mashhad, Ramin Haeri

Security forces apprehended Ramin Haeri in Mashhad and subsequently transported him to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility within the city.

A source close to Haeri’s family has confirmed his arrest, stating that Ministry of Intelligence agents detained him at his residence in Mashhad on February 28, 2024. The reasons behind this arrest and the specific allegations against Haeri remain undisclosed. However, there is speculation that this apprehension may be linked to a recent social media post where he expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the country.

The incident raises concerns about the freedom of expression and the right to voice one’s opinions in the face of potential consequences.

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Iranian Singer Shervin Hajipour Sentenced to Three Years and Eight Months in Prison with Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mazandaran province, Sari, Shervin Hajipour

Renowned singer Shervin Hajipour has been handed a three-year, eight-month prison sentence and additional penalties by the Revolutionary Court.

The verdict, disclosed by Hajipour, outlines a three-year term for “inciting people to cause unrest against national security,” including the detention period, and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he will serve three years for the first charge.

In addition to the prison term, the verdict imposes further restrictions. As the court deems the penalties specified in the Islamic Penal Code insufficient, Hajipour is prohibited from leaving the country for two years. He is mandated to compile and share the achievements of the Islamic Revolution in culture, science, and art on his internet platform. Furthermore, he is required to prepare a summary of two books regarding women’s status in Islam, produce a song addressing “USA’s atrocities against humanity,” collect cases of human rights violations by U.S. governments over the past century, and participate in behavior and knowledge skills training courses in the field of art.

Hajipour’s arrest by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, specifically for the song “Baraye” (For…), led to his detention in the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Sari, Mazandaran Province.
Hajipour was released on bail on October 4, 2023, but subsequent legal proceedings resulted in this verdict.
Notably, Hajipour was honored with the Special Merit Award for Best Song for Social Change for “Baraye” at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

Trial Commences for Twelve Women’s Rights Advocates at Revolutionary Court in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Hooman Taheri, Jelveh Javaheri, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Rasht, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Sia, Vahedeh Khoshsirat, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

The Revolutionary Court of Rasht initiated the trial of twelve women’s rights advocates on February 29, 2024. The individuals facing charges include Forough Saminia, Sara Jahani, Zahra Dadras, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaie, Vahedeh Khoshsirat, Azadeh Chavoshian, Zohreh Dadras, Matin Yazdani, Hooman Taheri, and Jelveh Javaheri.

Presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi, the first nine women were charged with “membership in a group, assembly, and collusion to act against national security.” Meanwhile, Mr Taheri and Ms Javaheri face charges related to “forming groups to act against national security.”

These individuals were among those detained during a mass arrest of citizens in Gilan Province on August 16 and 17, 2023. Subsequently, they were released on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht in the following days, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

50 Arrested for Encouraging Election Boycott in West Azerbaijan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Election Boycott, West Azerbaijan

The Chief of Police in West Azerbaijan has revealed the arrest of 50 social media page administrators in this province for urging people to boycott the upcoming parliamentary election, as reported by IRNA.

Rahim Jahanbakhsh, the Chief of Police, cited charges of “disturbing public opinion and encouraging people to abstain from voting in the election.”

The report has not disclosed the identities of the detainees or the location of their detention.

Prolonged Detention of Political Defendant Saber Balandeh Reaches 120 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, cyrus the great day, Nezam Prison, Saber Balandeh

Saber Balandeh has been held in Adelabad prison for over 120 days, facing charges of ‘spreading propaganda against the regime,’ ‘blasphemy,’ and ‘insulting the prophet of Islam,’ according to a source close to his family as reported by HRANA.

During his detention, Balandeh spent 18 days in a psychiatric hospital in Shiraz, indicating a decline in his mental health. Following a transfer from Adelabad Prison to Nezam Prison, complications arose due to his use of nerve medications, necessitating his return to Adelabad Prison.

The source expressed concern over the worsening mental instability of Balandeh after his hospitalization. The incident unfolded when Balandeh, hailing from northern Iran, was arrested by security forces during his trip to Shiraz on October 29, 2023, coinciding with Cyrus the Great Day.

Reza Nabavi Chashmi Commences Five-Year Prison Term

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Freedom of Expression, News
Nabavi Chashmi, Semnan prison, Seyed Reza Nabavi Chashmi

Seyed Reza Nabavi Chashmi began serving his five-year sentence on February 26, as he was incarcerated in Semnan Prison following the recent finalization of his sentence.

Nabavi was initially arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents on August 26, 2023. Subsequently, he was released on bail amounting to one billion tomans, approximately 20,000 dollars. The specific charges against Nabavi, as well as details of the legal proceedings, remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Nabavi had previously experienced arrest and imprisonment on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime.”