Category: News

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
Azam Azmoudeh, Iraj Noorseteh, Nasim Naeimi, Shiva Isakhani, Sina Aghdasi, Tabriz

On Monday, September 16, Azam Azmoudeh, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tabriz, was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence forces. With her arrest, the number of detained Baha’i citizens in Tabriz has risen to three. Sina Aghdasi and Iraj Noorseteh were also detained on the same day.

Azam Azmoudeh was arrested at her home by Tabriz Intelligence agents, who also conducted a search of her residence, confiscating several electronic devices. The circumstances surrounding her arrest remain unclear.

In addition to these arrests, the homes of two other Baha’i citizens, Shiva Isakhani and Nasim Naeimi, were also searched by Intelligence agents. However, the agents left when they found that the two were not present at their residences.

As of now, there is no information regarding the reasons for the arrests or the charges against these Baha’i citizens.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizen Sina Aghdasi Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Sina Aghdasi, Tabriz

Sina Aghdasi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tabriz, was arrested today, September 16, by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Aghdasi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “This morning, Mr. Aghdasi was arrested at his home by security forces. During the raid, the security forces searched the house and confiscated his and his family members’ mobile phones.”

No information is currently available regarding the reasons for Sina Aghdasi’s arrest or his place of detention.

This Baha’i citizen has previously been arrested due to his religious beliefs.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Three Prisoners Executed in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz

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Executions, News
Abdoljalil Ehsani, Adelabad Prison, Iranshahr, Mehdi Jahanpour, Shiraz, Yahya Zargari

At dawn today, September 16, three prisoners convicted of charges related to drug offenses and murder were executed in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, according to Haal Vsh.

The identities of these prisoners have been reported as: “Abdoljalil Ehsani, 33 years old, father of three, a native of Sarbaz and resident of Iranshahr; Yahya Zargari, 32 years old, resident of Iranshahr; and Mehdi Jahanpour, 21 years old, from Firouzabad, Fars Province.”

Mr. Ehsani and Mr. Zargari had previously been arrested in separate cases on charges related to drug offenses and were sentenced to death by the Shiraz court. Jahanpour was also arrested in 2022 on a murder charge and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

These prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in this prison yesterday in preparation for the execution of their sentences.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these three prisoners has not been announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to data compiled by HRANA, Adelabad Prison carried out 49 executions in 2023, ranking five among prisons across Iran. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Political Prisoner Maziar Seyednejad Transferred from Evin Prison to Hospital

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Maziar Seyednejad

Maziar Seyednejad, a workers’rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, was transferred to a hospital outside the prison today due to his deteriorating health.

Based on information received by HRANA, this political prisoner suffers from sciatica pain and was sent to Shahid Tajrish Hospital this morning.

Recently, Seyednejad was denied medical care and hospital transfer due to his refusal to wear prison clothes during his transfer, as prison authorities made excuses to prevent his hospital visit.

This workers’rights activist was arrested by security forces on June 7, 2021, at his home in Tehran and was taken to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center, known as Ward 2A of Evin Prison. He was eventually released on bail of 600 million tomans on August 16 of that year.

In December 2022, Maziar Seyednejad was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” As additional punishment, he was sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country, a ban on membership in parties and groups, and a ban on online activities. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a two-year prison term will be enforceable for him.

Finally, on May 21 of 2023, he was sent to Evin Prison to serve his two-year sentence and was subsequently transferred to Ward 6 of this prison. Seyednejad has a prior history of arrests and convictions due to his activism.

Writer Arash Ramezani Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Arash Ramezani, Fatemeh Noorani, Mashhad, آرش رمضانی

On Saturday, September 14, Arash Ramezani, a writer and social activist, was arrested after being summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. He was then taken to an undisclosed location.

His wife, Fatemeh Noorani, reported the incident in a statement: “Yesterday, we went to the prosecutor’s office in response to a summons my husband had received. While we were still seeking information about the reason for his detention and the bail conditions, a security agency arrived and took him away. After 24 hours, he called us to inform us of his situation but did not know the reason for his arrest.”

There is still no information regarding Ramezani’s current location or the charges against him.

Mr. Ramezani has previously faced arrests and legal actions due to his activities.

Arash Ramezani has published two novels and is an active member of the literary community.

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Father of Deceased Protester Mohammad Hassanzadeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Jina Amini, Mahsa Amini

On the second anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s death, Ahmad Hassanzadeh, the father of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, was arrested by security forces on September 25 in front of his home in Bukan. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Kolbar News, Mr. Hassanzadeh was detained by security forces directly outside his residence. Approximately an hour after his arrest, he managed to call his family, confirming that he was in custody.

As of this report, there is no information available regarding the reasons for his arrest, his current location, or any charges that may have been brought against him.

This is not the first time Mr. Hassanzadeh has been targeted by authorities. In late July, he and his daughter, Solmaz Hassanzadeh, were detained by security forces while attempting to hold a memorial ceremony for Mohammad’s birthday. He was released the following day on a four-billion-toman bail. Additionally, on September 4, 2023, both he and his daughter were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence in Bukan and subjected to interrogation.

Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old resident of Bukan, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and died from his injuries on November 16 of that year.

Prisoner Executed in Kahnuj Prison

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Executions, News
Abdolkarim Habibi, Jiroft, Kahnuj Prison

The death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Kahnuj Prison.

According to HRANA, quoting Resank, at dawn on Monday, September 9, 2024, a prisoner was executed in Kahnuj Prison. The prisoner has been identified as Abdolkarim Habibi, a 28-year-old Afghan national, married, and father of two children.

According to the report, Mr. Habibi was arrested in 2018 on charges of murder in Jiroft and later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Javad Azizi, Retiree Rights Activist, Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Iranian Retirees Council, Javad Azizi, Kermanshah

On Sunday, September 8, Javad Azizi, a retired citizen and retiree rights activist in Kermanshah, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, according to Iranian Retirees Council.

The report states that the arrest of the retiree rights activist took place at his private residence on Sunday, September 8, 2024, by security forces. During the arrest, the agents also confiscated Mr. Azizi’s mobile phone.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Poet Ali Jahanian Arrested by Security Forces in Nahavand

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Jahanian, Fereshteh Souri, Hamedan, HRANA, Nahavand

On September 9, Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist, was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Nahavand and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Jahanian and his wife, Mrs. Fereshteh Souri, were arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at their residence in Nahavand. His wife was released after several hours of interrogation on bail. Security agents also searched their home during the arrest and confiscated some of the couple’s personal belongings, including their mobile phones.”

The source added, “Ali Jahanian has been transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan following his arrest.”

So far, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him have not been disclosed.

Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist residing in Nahavand, has previously been arrested due to his activities.

Court of Appeals Upholds Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Paridokht Shojaei

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Kerman Province, Paridokht Shojaei Bagheini

The Court of Appeals of Kerman Province has upheld the two-year and one-month prison sentence for Paridokht Shojaei Bagheini, a Baha’i citizen from Kerman.

The ruling, issued by Branch 7 of the Kerman Court of Appeals on September 9, confirms her sentence of two years and one month for “engaging in educational/promotional activities contrary to or disruptive of Islamic Sharia.” The verdict was delivered to Ms. Shojaei recently.

A source close to the Shojaei family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that the Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s decision without holding a hearing. The family plans to pursue the case in the Supreme Court.

Shojaei Bagheini was arrested in July last year at the home of another Baha’i citizen in Kerman and was released on bail in early August. Her trial, along with the cases of four other Baha’i citizens, was held in Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.