Category: Other

Five Individuals Arrested by Security Forces in Saravan

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News, Other
Ghasem Mazarzahi, Issa Mazarzahi, Jasem Mazarzahi, Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Zaker Mazarzahi

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, security forces apprehended five individuals in Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, and transported them to an undisclosed location, as reported by the Baloch Activists Campaign.

These individuals have been identified as Issa Mazarzahi, Jasem Mazarzahi, Ghasem Mazarzahi, Zaker Mazarzahi, and another individual with the last name Mazarzahi (first name unknown).

According to the report, Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested them separately at their residences. They are reportedly facing allegations of “collaboration with anti-regime groups.”

The precise location of their detention remains undisclosed at this time.

Marketing Manager Sepehr Alikhani Arrested Due to Advertisement Featuring Unauthorized Song

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Sepehr Alikhani, Seylaneh Sabz, Talk Down

On September 3, 2023, Sepehr Alikhani, the marketing manager of the Dafi brand under the cosmetic company Seylaneh Sabz, was apprehended by security forces at his workplace, as reported by Modara.

Alikhani’s arrest occurred at his workplace, with the specific reasons and charges surrounding his detainment remaining undisclosed at this juncture. However, the events leading up to his arrest stem from a recent statement by the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, in which the public was informed about the initiation of a legal case against a cosmetic company for featuring an illicit and vulgar song in their advertisements.

Notably, just one day prior to Alikhani’s arrest, Iranian singer Talk Down, whose song had been utilized in the aforementioned company’s advertisement, was briefly detained for questioning.

Amir-Hossein Balali Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Amir-Hossein Balali, Tehran

Amir-Hossein Balali, a former student activist, has been apprehended by security forces and moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Emtedad Online.

The arrest of Balali took place at his residence in Tehran, where authorities conducted a search and seized several of his personal items. As of now, details about his location and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.

Azerbaijan Citizen Farid Safarli Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Other
Azerbaijan, Farid Safarli

Farid Safarli, a citizen of Azerbaijan (the Country), has been handed a two-year prison sentence on charges of alleged “espionage,” as reported by a security institution-affiliated news outlet.

This news channel had previously reported on Safarli’s arrest. In March 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan disclosed his disappearance on March 4, 2023, subsequent to his journey from Germany, where he was studying at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, to Iran on February 20.
As of now, the location of Safarli’s detention remains undisclosed.

While the legal pursuit of individuals for espionage is not inherently categorized as a human rights violation, apprehensions arise regarding the veracity of these accusations. The Iranian regime frequently deploys such allegations to suppress political dissidents, and the opacity surrounding legal proceedings exacerbates doubts about the authenticity of these cases.

 

Three Individuals Arrested by Security Forces in Tabriz

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News, Other
Abdollah Ansari, Karim Esmailzadeh, Mehdi Nasirzadeh, Tabriz

On August 16, security forces arrested Abdollah Ansari, Karim Esmailzadeh, and Mehdi Nasirzadeh in Tabriz and transferred them to an undisclosed location.

According to a source, the arrests transpired near a sports stadium where the trio was en route to witness a soccer match.

“Each of them has been granted a 900-million-Toman (approximately 18000 dollars) bail,” the source added.

As of now, the rationale behind their apprehensions, the specific detention site, and the precise allegations leveled against them remain veiled in uncertainty.

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Iranian-American Woman Held in Detention on Alleged Espionage Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Emad Sharqi, Iranian-American woman, Khorasan, Morad Tahbaz, Shahab Dalili, Siamak Namazi

An Iranian-American woman has been taken into custody under allegations of “espionage,” as reported by Khorasan Newspaper.

Withholding details about her identity and the specific facility of her detainment, Khorasan stated: “In recent weeks, this individual has been arrested, with a history of involvement in NGOs within Afghanistan.”

Several other Iranian-American dual citizens, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and Shahab Dalili, are presently incarcerated in Iran. According to Khorasan, diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are underway for their potential release.

While the legal pursuit of individuals for espionage isn’t inherently considered a human rights violation, concerns arise regarding the credibility of these allegations. The Iranian regime frequently employs such charges to quell political dissidents, and the lack of transparency in legal proceedings raises further doubts about the legitimacy of these cases.

Legal Uncertainty Persists for Detained Amer Dadafarin and Mohammad Molazahi in Zahedan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Amer Dadafarin, HRANA, Iranshahr, Mohammad Mola-Zahi, Zahedan

Amer Dadafarin, aged 18, and Mohammad Molazahi, aged 25, continue to be held in detention for over 39 days, in legal ambiguity.

Presently, they are incarcerated at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Zahedan.
Sources close to their families, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that Dadafarin and Molazahi were apprehended by security forces in Iranshahr on June 18, 2023. Following two days of interrogation, they were transferred and confined in Zahedan’s detention facility.

Notably, on July 22, Molazahi was briefly allowed to visit his mother.

However, the reasons behind their arrest and the charges imposed on these residents of Iranshahr remain undisclosed.

Fatal Shooting of Citizen by Police in Kermanshah

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News, Other
Ali Nazari, HRANA, Kermanshah, Kurdpa

On July 26, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Kermanshah as a citizen, identified as Ali Nazari, was shot dead by police, as reported by Kurdpa.

According to an informed source, Nazari was pursued by the police in a district in Kermanshah, where he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest, ultimately resulting in his death.

As of now, Nazari’s body has not been returned to his family, adding to the distress and uncertainty surrounding the case.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 845 people were shot by military forces. At least 571 of the victims lost their life. This includes 22 kolbars, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. 274 people were injured by military forces open fire, including 134 kolbars, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers.

 

Ayoub Javanpour Receives 15-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ayoub Javanpour, Keyvan Jahani, Sanandaj, Saqqez

Ayoub Javanpour, a resident of Saqqez, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Saqqez Revolutionary Court, according to Kurdpa news agency.

The verdict, handed down by Branch 1 of the Saqqez Revolutionary Court presided over by Keyvan Jahani, includes one year for “propaganda against the regime,” ten years for “organizing groups to act against national security,” two years for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Ayoub Javanpour would serve ten years in prison as per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

The arrest of Javanpour took place on June 10, 2023, following an interrogation process at the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Sanandaj. He was later transferred to Saqqez Prison.

Notably, Javanpour has a history of previous judicial encounters due to his activism.

Blogger Arrested in Gorgan for Allegedly Promoting Western Lifestyle

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Blogger, Gorgan, irgc

The IRGC Intelligence Public Relations has reported the arrest of a blogger in Gorgan province on charges of allegedly “promoting a Western lifestyle,” according to Basij News.

The arrest was carried out by judicial authorities, and the blogger’s Instagram page, which had amassed over 100 thousand followers, has been taken down.

As of now, the identity of the detained blogger, their location, and the specifics of the allegations remain undisclosed.

It’s important to note that imposing a certain lifestyle on citizens is a clear violation of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which grants everyone the right to life, liberty, and security of person. Furthermore, Article 12 of the same declaration upholds the right to privacy, protection from arbitrary interference with personal matters, family, home, or correspondence, as well as protection from attacks on one’s honor and reputation. Every individual has the right to seek legal protection against such interference and attacks.