Category: News

Five More Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj

On Tuesday, August 6, five death-row prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, convicted of drug offenses, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution. Including sixteen other prisoners who were moved to solitary confinement in this prison on Sunday, a total of twenty-one prisoners are awaiting execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, who had previously been sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was carried out to execute their sentences. Further details, including the identities of these prisoners, are being investigated by HRANA.

It is worth noting that on Sunday, August 4, sixteen prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, four of whom had been sentenced to death on murder charges, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Report on the Latest Status of Amin Sokhanvar in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ali Harati Mokhtari, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Evin Prison, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Hossein Ardestani, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Tehran

Political detainee Amin Sokhanvar remains for over fifteen months in legal limbo in Evin Prison.

Although two court sessions have been held for Sokhanvar, Judge Iman Afshari has not yet issued a verdict. The charges against this citizen include “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Sokhanvar is part of a joint case with seven other defendants: Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Ali Harati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Amir Shah Velayati, and Hossein Ardestani.

Amin Sokhanvar, aged around 25, was arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran, in April-May 2023.

A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Amin’s arrest was due to his membership in the People’s Army group and suspicion of armed action.”

Reza Rasaei Executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah

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Executions, News
Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, Masoum Razavi, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh County, رضا رسائی, رضا رسایی

On Tuesday, August 6, Reza Rasaei, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, was executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah.

Mr. Rasaei’s execution took place at dawn today, Tuesday, August 6, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without prior notice to his family or the opportunity for a final meeting with them.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, 34 years old, a follower of the Yarsan faith and a resident of Sahneh County, was sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in mid-October last year for the charge of “involvement in the intentional murder of Nader Birami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County.”

Following the confirmation of Reza Rasaei’s death sentence by the Seventeenth Branch of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Barani, his case was referred to the Judgment Enforcement office on December 31, 2023.
A while ago, Branch 1 of the Supreme Court rejected the request for a retrial for this prisoner, calling it “lacking legal requirements.”

In addition to the capital punishment, Rasaei faces other charges, including non-fatal injury, threatening with a knife, and disturbing public order by causing unrest. Initially, he received additional penalties such as Diya (wergild), a year sentence, and 74 lashes.

The judge’s reliance on “forced confessions obtained from Rasaei during interrogation” played a significant role in his conviction and the imposition of the death penalty.

Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. Following the completion of the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.

Several other detainees of protests in Sahneh County on the November 18, 2022, also faced charges of murdering the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in this county. Seyed Masoum Razavi and (first name unknown) Beigi were among the other defendants in this case, with Masoum Razavi reportedly acquitted of the charges. The fate of the other defendant in this case remains unknown.

Varuzh Moradi Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Edris Moradi, HRANA, Kermanshah, Ravansar, Varouj Moradi

Varuzh (Edris) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar, was arrested and transferred to an unknown location on Sunday, August 4, following a summons to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of this county.

A source close to Moradi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Moradi was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of Ravansar County on Sunday, August 4. After appearing at this security institution, he was arrested.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information available on the reasons for the arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges against him.

Varuzh (Varouj) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar in Kermanshah province, has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his activities.

Sixteen Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Karaj

On August 4th, sixteen prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death for non-political crimes, were transferred to solitary confinement for the execution of their sentences.

This transfer is for the execution of their death sentences. Four of them had previously been sentenced to death for murder charges. Additionally, five of these prisoners are Afhghan national.

Further details, including the identities of these prisoners and the charges against the remaining tweleve prisoners, are being investigated by HRANA.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

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Maryam Mehrabi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, to six years in prison and additional punishments.

Based on a verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammadreza Tavakoli, and delivered to Ms. Mehrabi yesterday, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “inciting people to wage war and killing to undermine national security.” Additionally, she has been sentenced to two years of dismissal from service and a two-year travel ban as complementary punishments.

According to HRANA reports, Mehrabi has been denied access to a lawyer. Another part of her case, concerning the charge of “spreading false information”, is under review by Criminal Court 2 of Isfahan.

Mehrabi was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18th. Recently, she went on a hunger strike in solitary confinement to protest her prolonged detention.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Maryam Mehrabi is a teacher and resident of Isfahan. She is the sister of political prisoner Mahmoud Mehrabi, who was sentenced to death in May this year by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court for “spreading corruption on earth.” His appeal was filed with the Supreme Court in June.

Four Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Sentenced to Prison

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News
Ali Azizi, Ata Karimi, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Gholam Gholizadeh, HRANA, Sina Hassani, Urmia

Ata Karimi, Gholam Gholizadeh, Sina Hassani, and Ali Azizi, Azerbaijani-Turk activists, have each been sentenced to two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court and delivered to these activists on Wednesday, July 31st, each of these individuals has been sentenced to two years in prison for the charge of “membership in a group aiming to disrupt national security.”

A source close to one of the families confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Previously, this case had been dismissed twice, but following an appeal by Mr. Khodaei, the Deputy Prosecutor, the case was reopened, and after nine years, this verdict was issued.”

In June 2015, these four citizens were arrested by security forces in Urmia in connection with this case and were released after about a week.

Gholam Gholizadeh, Ali Azizi, and Sina Hassani have faced legal actions and convictions in recent years due to their activities.

 

Singer Zara Esmaeili Detained in Legal Uncertainty for Over Nine Days

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Ekbatan town, HRANA, Zahra Esmaeili, Zara Esmaeili

Zara Esmaeili, a singer and resident of Karaj, has been detained for over nine days, with her legal status remaining uncertain. The lack of information about her condition has heightened the concerns of her family and friends.

A source close to her family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Esmaeili was arrested by security forces at her private residence in Karaj on Friday, July 26th. We have no information about her fate and are extremely worried about Zara’s well-being.”

Zara (Zahra) Esmaeili, a 29-year-old resident of Karaj, has performed numerous street performances in various parts of Tehran, such as Ekbatan town and Ferdows Garden.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Esmaeili was subjected to violence and mistreatment by officers the day before her arrest while trying to prevent the arrest of a friend by Tehran’s security police.

So far, there is no information available regarding the reasons for her arrest, her whereabouts, or the charges against her.

Hooman Seydali Detained for over 19 Months in Legal Limbo

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Hooman Seydali, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, هومن صیدالی

Hooman Seydali, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has remained in an uncertain state in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over nineteen months.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Seydali has been held in Ward 8 of Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for 592 days. Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court has issued a hefty bail of fifty billion tomans for his temporary release, but his family’s inability to provide this amount has led to the continuation of his detention.

A source close to Seydali’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Seydali has been charged with suspicion of membership in opposition groups.”

Hooman Seydali, 47 years old and a resident of Izeh, was arrested by security forces on December 20, 2022, during the nationwide protests and subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

Nasimeh Eslam-Zahi Detained for Over 11 Months in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Malard, Nasimeh Eslam-Zahi, Sistan and Baluchestan Province

Nasimeh Eslam-Zahi, a Sunni defendant facing security charges, remains in a state of uncertainty in the women’s ward of Evin Prison despite being detained for over eleven months.

Based on HRANA’s information, Ms. Eslam-Zahi and her husband have been held without trial for more than eleven months in Evin Prison. They were charged in August-September of 2023 in the prosecutor’s office with suspicion of “membership in the militant group ISIS,” but no court hearing has been held for them. Additionally, the couple has not had any in-person visits since their arrest.

A source close to the family of the couple confirmed this news to HRANA, saying, “About three months ago, Nasimeh gave birth to her second child in prison. Her first child, Aisha, who is about two years old and was with them at the time of their arrest, has been handed over to welfare services and is being cared for there. Despite requests, Aisha has not been returned to Nasimeh or her family.”

In August-September last year, Ms. Eslam-Zahi, along with her husband and child, was arrested in Malard and transferred to Zahedan for interrogation. Security forces reported that they were in possession of weapons at the time of their arrest.

Ms. Eslam-Zahi and her husband were charged in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province Prosecutor’s Office in September 2023 and then transferred to Evin Prison.

Eslam-Zahi, approximately 40 years old, spent three months in solitary confinement in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison and another three months in shared cells in the same detention facility. Finally, on March 4, 2024, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Previously, an informed source without knowledge of the identity of Ms. Eslam-Zahi’s husband told HRANA, “Nasimeh’s husband is originally from the Kurdish provinces and is being held in one of the shared rooms in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.”