Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Nourmohammadi Sentenced to Prison

Morteza Nourmohammadi Nadarli (also known as Nazarlu), an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was sentenced to three months and one day in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Shabestar County.

Based on a recent verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court of Shabestar County and communicated to Nourmohammadi, he has been sentenced to three months and one day of imprisonment on charges of propaganda against the regime through publishing material online. This Azerbaijani-Turk activist was acquitted of other charges such as “membership in anti-regime groups” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

On May 28, Mr. Nourmohammadi was summoned for questioning via a phone call to the Shabestar Security Police.

Nourmohammadi was initially charged in early November last year by the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Shabestar with “assembly and collusion to act against national security.” Shortly thereafter, a new case was opened against him in the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Tabriz, charging him with “membership in a group aimed at acting against national security.”

On September 9, 2023, after visiting the Civil Registration Office in the city of Sofian, he was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz. He was eventually moved to the city’s prison and then returned to the detention center a few days later. He was once again transferred to Tabriz prison on November 26, 2023.

Nourmohammadi was finally released on bail on November 28 of the same year.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Mohammad Hassan Amidi Detained by Ministry of Intelligence

Mohammad Hassan Amidi, a resident of Shahr-e Rey, continues to be held in uncertainty nine days after his arrest, currently detained in the Ministry of Intelligence detention center known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Amidi, aged around 63, was arrested by security forces in Shahr-e Rey on June 18, 2024, and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention center known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against this citizen are unknown.

Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari Imprisoned in Evin Prison on Political Charges

Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari, a political prisoner, is serving her sentence in Evin Prison. She was previously sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Karimi, around 55 years old, who was previously sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, was arrested by security forces at her private residence on June 10th to serve her sentence and was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.”

According to information received by HRANA, charges against this political prisoner include “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in opposition groups to act against national security.”

Matin Hasani Sentenced to Imprisonment on Political Charges

Matin Hasani, one of the injured individuals from the November 2019 protests, has been sentenced to thirty-one months in prison by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of Bukan, as reported by Kurdpa.

The court session for addressing the charges against Hasani was held on May 16, 2024. He was charged with “inciting people to engage in warfare with the intent to disrupt national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Hasani was arrested by security forces on January 23, 2024, at his parent’s residence without a judicial warrant and was released from Bukan prison on February 22 of the same year after posting bail.

Matin Hasani, at the age of nineteen, lost vision in one eye due to a bullet shot during the nationwide protests of November 2019 in Bukan, West Azerbaijan province.

Report on the Latest Situation of Three Female Prisoners in Evin Prison

Fereshteh Hosseini, Narges Khorasani, and Parisa Yousefi, followers of Erfan-e-Halgheh (Interuniversal Mysticism), are serving their sentences in Evin Prison. These individuals were sent to this prison on June 15th of this year to serve their sentences.

A source close to the family of one of these prisoners told HRANA, “These individuals were convicted in the same case and sent to Evin Prison on June 15 to serve their sentences. Previously, the Revolutionary Court had sentenced Fereshteh Hosseini to five years in prison, and Narges Khorasani and Parisa Yousefi to three years each.”

According to information received by HRANA, all three were arrested and sentenced due to their support of the Erfan-e-Halgheh.

These individuals were previously arrested by security forces in August 2022. Shortly afterward, they were released from Evin Prison on bail.

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Mehdi Majidi Sentenced to Four Years and Eight Months

The prison sentence of Mehdi Majidi, a citizen from Bukan, has been upheld by the Court of Appeals of West Azerbaijan Province, according to Kurdpa. Initially, he had been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court 2 of Bukan.

Based on a ruling issued on Sunday, June 23, 2024, by the Urmia Court of Appeals, Mr. Majidi has been sentenced to three years in prison for “supporting the Israeli government”, one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and eight months for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment for Majidi is enforceable.

Previously, on April 25, the initial sentence had been delivered to him by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court 2 of Bukan.

Mehdi Majidi was arrested by security forces on November 6, 2023, and transferred to one of Urmia’s security detention centers.

After being transferred to Bukan Prison, he was released on bail on December 28, 2023.

 

Inmate Executed in Qazvin Prison

On Saturday, June 22, a prisoner previously sentenced to death for murder was executed in Qazvin Prison, according to Iran Human Rights Organization.

His identity has been reported as Nategh Hosseini, 36, from Qazvin.
According to the report, three years ago, Nateg Hosseini accidentally committed murder during a fight and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.

The report states that the victim’s family requested that Nateg Hosseini’s seven-year-old child be present at the time of execution. Nateg’s family agreed and brought the child with them hoping that the presence of the child would increase the chances of the victim’s family granting clemency. However, the execution was ultimately carried out in the presence of his young child.

265 Years and Over 5000 Lashes for Defendants in Evin Prison Fire Case

The Criminal Court 2 of Tehran has sentenced the defendants in the Evin Prison Fire case to a cumulative 265 years in prison, 5032 lashes, blood money (Diya) for one individual, and other penalties.

The defendants, convicted on charges including “property destruction,” “disturbing prison order,” “disobeying and resisting orders from officials,” and manslaughter, are as follows:

Majid Roshannejad, Luqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Sina Mirzaie, Mohammad-Sobhan Moazzenzadeh, Ayoub Emamizadeh, Ahmadreza Kunani, Sasan Zamani, Mohammad Geravand, Saeed Khodapour, and Alireza Vali each received six years in prison and seven lashes for “property destruction,” 16 months and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Mohammad-Hossein Moradian, Masoud Hosseinzadeh, Reza Haji, Nima Mohammadi, Alireza Aslami, Amir-Hossein Yousefvand, Meysam Moradian, Sobhan Hayatpour, Reza Salmanzadeh, and Seyed-Mohammad Hossein Mousavi each were sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” one year and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.” Additionally, Alireza Aslami and Nima Mohammadi were sentenced to expulsion from Iran. Their second nationalities remain unknown.

Five defendants were also charged with manslaughter. Ghasem Mohammadi received six years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” 16 months and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials,” and must pay blood money (Diya) for one individual and serve an additional 40 months.

Erfan Zarif Ibn-Kazem, Jalal Narollahi, Gholam-Hassan Hashemi Siavashani, and Masoud Parchami received the same sentences as Ghasem Mohammadi except that they must pay 1/4 of the Diya.

Hamidreza Nazer and Hossein Delkhasteh were sentenced to 42 months in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” one year and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Mohammad-Ali Delkhasteh, Seyed-Milad Abolvafaye, Mohammad-Khan Mirzaie, Kamran Nadali, Alireza Nazari, and Seyed-Ali Mousavi received 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Lastly, Hassan Malekshahi, Ashkan Kafi, Omid Astaneh, Rahman Alipour, and Ali Sadeghi Shirsavar were sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

These individuals are currently serving their sentences for previous convictions in Ghezel Hesar and Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

Baha’i Arash Nabavi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

Arash Nabavi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Isfahan, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of this city to ten years of imprisonment, a fine, confiscation of property, and other penalties.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan, presided over by Mohammadreza Tavakoli, and communicated to Mr. Nabavi, he has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment and a fine for the charge of “membership in groups to disrupt national security.” Additionally, for the charge of “propaganda activities against Islamic law”, he has been sentenced to another five years of imprisonment. As supplementary punishment, he has also been sentenced to a two-year ban on online acitvities, prohibition from leaving the country, and confiscation of property.
Three mobile phones, three flash drives, two tablets, three SIM cards, and several books and materials related to the Baha’i Faith are among the items ordered to be confiscated in the verdict.

This Baha’i citizen was arrested on August 14, 2023, and released after two months on bail. During the arrest, the officers searched his house and seized some of Mr. Nabavi’s personal belongings.

Arash Nabavi, single and approximately thirty-eight years old, lives the “Imam Neighborhood” in Isfahan.

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.

Political Prisoner Mehdi Sabeti Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Mehdi Sabeti, a political prisoner held in the Central Prison of Karaj, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Karaj.

According to a verdict recently issued by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj and delivered to Mr. Sabeti on Saturday, June 22, he has been sentenced to two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

Sabeti was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence in Meshkin Dasht, Alborz province, on September 17, 2023. He was subsequently transferred to the Central Prison of Karaj.

Previously, a source close to the family of this political detainee told HRANA: “A few days after his arrest, Sabeti was also charged with blasphemy and disseminating falsehoods during his interrogation.”

Sabeti, aged around 34, resides in Fardis County, Alborz province.