Category: Freedom of Expression

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Sentenced to 61 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mohammad Nourizad, Shahid Kechooie judicial complex, Tehran

Renowned civil rights advocate Mohammad Nourizad has been sentenced to 61 months in prison as a result of a legal case initiated while he was already incarcerated.

Presently serving his sentence at Evin Prison, Nourizad revealed the additional imprisonment through a voice message from behind bars. The recent court session addressing the new charges against Nourizad took place at the Shahid Kechooie judicial complex in Tehran. Unfortunately, he was unable to defend himself as he was not present during the proceedings.

Details regarding the charges leveled against Nourizad remain undisclosed at this time.

On August 9, 2023, Nourizad faced punitive measures and was relocated to solitary confinement due to his protest against the restriction of prisoners’ telephone cards, impeding their ability to make phone calls.

In a separate legal development from July 2023, Nourizad received an additional two-year prison sentence from the Tehran Revolutionary Court. This sentence stemmed from yet another legal case initiated while he was already in prison.

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.

 

18-Year-Old Sepehr Shirani’s Suspicious Death in Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Baloch Activists Campaign, IRGC Intelligence, Sepehr Shirani, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Zahedan

On January 30, 2024, Sepehr Shirani, 18 years old, died under suspicious circumstances after three days in the custody of a security institution in Zahedan, as reported by Haal Vsh.

IRGC Intelligence is said to be responsible for his arrest, notifying Shirani’s family of his demise via a phone call. As of now, his body has not been handed over to his family.

The agents cited the publication of critical social media posts as the reason for Shirani’s arrest.

The Baloch Activists Campaign, a human rights monitor in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, has reported that Shirani died under torture while in custody.

Notably, recent years have seen numerous cases of suspicious deaths or murders of citizens within police detention centers, security, and judicial institutions. In most instances, investigations have failed to definitively identify perpetrators or hold authorities accountable.

The agents had reportedly mentioned publishing criticizing posts on social media as the reason for Shirani’s arrest.

According to HRA’s annual report for 2023, a total of 1,386 violations of prisoners’ rights were documented. These include 27 cases of physical assault on prisoners, 1,390 instances of denial or neglect of medical care, 342 illegal transfers to solitary confinement, 114 attempted hunger strikes, 415 cases of forced transfer or exile of prisoners, 4,140 instances of threats and pressure on prisoners, 66 cases of denying prisoner visitation rights, 34 cases of psychological and physical torture, 7 deaths due to illness, 12 suicides, 1 case of self-immolation, 4 murders of prisoners, 208 instances of lack of access to legal counsel, 4,197 reports of prisoners being kept in unsuitable conditions, 80 cases of forced confession, 290 instances of non-segregation of crimes, 78 denials of medical leave, and 101 denials of the right to contact.

University Student Hamoon Soleimani Taken into Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Evin Prison, Hamoon Soleimani, Homayoun Soleimani, University of Science and Technology

On January 30, 2024, Hamoon Soleimani, a Master’s student at the University of Science and Technology, was apprehended during his appearance at Evin Courthouse.

Homayoun Soleimani, confirming his brother’s detention, revealed, “Hamoon was summoned to Evin Courthouse and subsequently held in custody. Approximately one hour after his apprehension, he managed to make a phone call, notifying our family of his relocation to Ward 1 of Evin Prison.”

As of now, the specific grounds for Soleimani’s arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

Woman Sentenced to 11 Months in Prison After Confrontation with Religious Vigilante Over Dog Walk

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Freedom of Expression, News
Negin Chaparian, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down an eleven-month prison term to Negin Chaparian for an altercation with a religious vigilante who harassed her while walking her dog.

According to the recent verdict from Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Chaparian has been convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime, provoking impurity and indecency, and outraging public decency.”

In August 2023, 34-year-old Chaparian, a Tehran resident, engaged in a dispute with a religious vigilante in a park who objected to her walking a dog, deeming it inappropriate by Islamic standards. Subsequently, she was arrested after sharing photos of the incident on social media. Chaparian spent three days in detention and was later released on bail.

This incident highlights a concerning violation of citizens’ privacy rights and freedom, as the Iranian regime encourages individuals to enforce the Islamic code in public as a religious duty.

Kamal Babaie’s Arrest in Isfahan Raises Concerns

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Kamal Babaie

On January 27, 2024, security forces apprehended Kamal Babaie in Isfahan, placing him in Dastgerd Prison.

According to a source close to Babaie’s family, he was arrested and confined to prison at a time when his physical well-being was reportedly not suitable for incarceration.

The motives behind Babaie’s arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed. The circumstances surrounding his detention raise concerns about the transparency and justification of the arrest.

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Farshad Dastmardi Receives Three-Year Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Farshad Dastmardi, Judge Taheri, Yasuj

Farshad Dastmardi, one of the detainees during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to three years, seven months, and 16 days by the Criminal Court in Dehdasht.

Presiding over the case, Judge Taheri issued a three-year prison term for “disturbing public opinion and acting against national security” and seven months plus 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

Reportedly, this verdict was handed down without a formal trial, as shared by a source close to Taheri’s family.

Dastmardi was arrested by IRGC’s Intelligence agents in Dehdasht in August 2023 and later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility in Yasuj. He was released on bail on January 21, 2024.

During the 2022 nationwide protests, he was also arrested by security forces and released on bail of one and a half billion tomans, approximately 30,000 dollars. This previous arrest further adds to the series of judicial confrontations Dastmardi has faced over time.

Journalist Parisa Salehi Receives One-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini, Parisa Salehi, University of Tehran, zanjan

Journalist Parisa Salehi has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. In addition to imprisonment, she faces exile, a travel ban, and restrictions on internet and social media usage.

Salehi disclosed that Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, issued the verdict, imposing a one-year prison term, a two-year ban on leaving the country, a mandatory two-year residence in Zanjan, and limitations on internet and social media usage for two years for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In September 2023, security forces conducted a comprehensive search of Salehi’s residence, leading to her subsequent summons to the Karaj courthouse. There, she was indicted and later released on bond.

Salehi is a journalist at Donya-e-Eqtesad Newspaper and a master’s student in economics at the University of Tehran.

Taher Sarli Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gonbad-e Kavus, Taher Sarli

Taher Sarli was apprehended by security forces following his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Gonbad-e Kavus, subsequently being confined in the city’s prison.

A reliable source close to Sarli’s family has verified his arrest and imprisonment in the Gonbad-e Kavus prison. The source disclosed, “Sarli has previously faced multiple charges, including ‘disturbing public opinion’ and ‘acting against national security.'”

Furthermore, the source added, “The case was initiated with both the public prosecutor and Sarli as a private plaintiff.”

Lawyer Khosrow Alikordi Receives One-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Alikordi, Khosrow Alikurdi, Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison

The Court of Appeal in Razavi Khorasan Province has confirmed a one-year prison sentence for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, coupled with a two-year prohibition on practicing law, exile, and restrictions on internet and social media usage.

Alikordi has been found guilty of alleged “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.” Additionally, the court has mandated a two-year residence in Nehbandan, South Khorasan province. During the trial, interviews with media outside Iran were presented as evidence for this charge.

The initial verdict was issued in September 2023 by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

Alikordi was arrested on August 1, 2023, after his presence in the Publish and Revolutionary Courthouse in Mashhad. Subsequently, he was detained in Vakilabad prison and released on bail after four days.

In a separate aspect of this legal case, Alikordi had earlier been sentenced to pay a fine for “disseminating false information and breaching confidentiality.”

Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Faces Charges of Armed Rebellion (Baghi)

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Baghi, Toomaj Salehi, توماج صالحی

On January 21, 2024, the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse of Isfahan indicted singer Toomaj Salehi on multiple charges, including Baghi, an accusation of armed rebellion that carries the potential for severe punishment, including execution.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, stated, “During the inquiry session, Salehi faced not only the charge for which he had already been acquitted, but he was also notified of two new charges not cited in the indictment, namely, assisting in Baghi (group armed rebellion against the regime) and assembly and collusion against national security. Firstly, the charge of assisting in Baghi appears inconsistent with the fact that there is no co-defendant whom Salehi is accused of assisting, let alone a group. Secondly, no weapons were discovered on Salehi, not even a knife, let alone a firearm.”

Earlier, Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, expressed concerns about the due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” He stated, “Regarding the arrest case in October 2022, the Supreme Court has already overturned five charges, leaving only three remaining charges to be addressed. Consequently, the case was returned to the Revolutionary Court. The Court had also emphasized that the defendant could be included in a general pardon. However, after three months, the Revolutionary Court has introduced two new charges, bringing the total number of charges to ten.”

Salehi has also recently received a one-year sentence and additional punishment in another legal case.

Salehi was re-arrested in Babol on November 30, twelve days after his release on bail from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The Judiciary spokesperson cited Salehi’s statement after his release as the grounds for this subsequent arrest.

In late October 2022, Salehi was initially detained by security forces during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years and three months in prison along with additional penalties. However, he was released on bail after the Supreme Court overturned the verdict.

It is worth noting that the protest singer already has a prior conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined, with the imprisonment suspended for one year.