Category: News

Student Ehsan Faridi Arrested and Jailed in Tabriz Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ehsan Faridi, Tabriz

Ehsan Faridi, a student at Tabriz University, was arrested and transferred to Tabriz prison on Tuesday, June 18th, after being summoned to the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in this city.

Based on reports received by HRANA, after appearing at this judicial institution, Faridi was arrested and transferred to the city’s prison. As of now, the charges against him remain unknown.

Ehsan Faridi is a 21-year-old student of Manufacturing Engineering at Tabriz Technical College. He was previously arrested on March 9th, 2023, and transferred to Tabriz prison. He was eventually released on bail on March 19th of the same year.

Hora Nikbakht Detained in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hora Nikbakht, HRANA, حورا نیکبخت

Hora Nikbakht, a resident of Tehran, remains in detention in Evin Prison eight days after her arrest. She was detained and transferred to this prison after appearing at Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on information from HRANA, Ms. Nikbakht was arrested on June 12, after appearing at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Previously, this citizen had received a summons to defend herself against the charges attributed to her at the mentioned prosecutor’s office.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for her arrest and the charges against Nikbakht remain unknown.

Jafar Amini Arrested in Bukan

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News, Other
Bukan, Dara Amini, Jafar Amini

Jafar (Dara) Amini, a resident of Bukan, West Azerbaijan province, was arrested by security forces on Saturday, June 15, and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest took place at his residence without a judicial warrant. So far, the family’s efforts to learn about Mr. Amini’s well-being and whereabouts have been unsuccessful.

The reasons for his arrest and the charges against him are still unknown.

Media Activist Hossein Razzagh Sentenced to 74 Lashes on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Hossein Razzagh, HRANA, Tehran Revolutionary Court, حسین رزاق

The lashing sentence for Hossein Razzagh, a media activist, has been upheld by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals. He was initially sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 74 lashes for “absence and failure to report to Amol Prison.”

In April this year, while Razzagh was serving his sentence in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was sentenced to 74 lashes by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. A source close to Mr. Razzagh’s family told HRANA that the reason for this sentence was “absence and failure to report to Amol Prison.”

Razzagh was released from Evin Prison on June 10. Emtedad Online, which reported his release, did not provide any details about the manner and conditions of his release.

On August 22, 2022, Razzagh was arrested by security forces in Amol concerning his previous case. In September of 2022, he was charged with a new case against him and was sentenced to four years and three months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in April 2023. Additionally, he was charged in June 2023 in another case.

Hossein Razzagh has previously faced arrest and judicial actions for his activities.

Alireza Ebrahimian Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Shaft County

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News, Other
Alireza Ebrahimian, Gilan province, Shaft County, علیرضا ابراهمیان

IRGC intelligence agents arrested Alireza Ebrahimian, a resident of Shaft County in Gilan Province, on June 18 and took him to an unknown location, as reported by Hirkani.

The report states that the arrest took place at Ebrahimian’s residence. So far, no information has been obtained about the reasons for the arrest or the whereabouts of Mr. Ebrahimian.

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Seven Christian Converts Sentenced to Imprisonment

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News, Religious Minorities
Bijan Gholizadeh, Christian converts, Hamid Afzali, Iman Salehi, Nasrollah Mousavi, Zohrab Shahbazi

Hamid Afzali, Nasrollah Mousavi, Bijan Gholizadeh, Iman Salehi, Zohrab Shahbazi, along with two other Christian converts whose identities are unknown, were collectively sentenced to 29 years and 9 months in prison by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, according to Article Eighteen.

Afzali was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Nasrollah Mousavi, Bijan Gholizadeh, and Iman Salehi each received 5 years. Zohrab Shahbazi was sentenced to 9 months. The report also states that the two other Christian converts, whose identities are unknown, were each sentenced to 2 years in prison.

The report does not mention the charges brought against these citizens.

Despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority under Islamic law, the security services pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and deal harshly with those who convert to Christianity.

The persecution of Christian converts is a blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief, including the freedom to express their faith openly or privately.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi Sentenced to an Additional Year in Prison

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News
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Karaj, Mostafa Nili, Narges Mohammadi, zanjan, نرگس محمدی

Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Lawyer Mostafa Nili shared publicly that: “Based on the verdict issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to one year in prison for propaganda against the regime.” According to Nili, the reasons for this sentence include Ms. Mohammadi’s comments about Dina Ghalibaf, her letter regarding the boycott of parliamentary elections, and her letters to the parliaments of Sweden and Norway.
The trial for the charges against this renowned human rights activist was held on June 8 without her presence at the aforementioned branch.

Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has faced multiple convictions, was sentenced in January of this year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to fifteen months in prison, two years exile from Tehran and neighboring provinces, a two-year travel ban, a two-year ban on membership in social-political groups, and a two-year ban on using a smartphone for propaganda against the regime.

In October 2020, Mohammadi was released from Zanjan Prison after serving about five and a half years. Shortly after, regarding a case opened against her during her imprisonment, she was sentenced by a Criminal Court in Tehran to thirty months in prison, eighty lashes, and two fines.

In November 2021, during a memorial ceremony for the second anniversary of the death of Ebrahim Ketabdar, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests, she was arrested by security forces in Karaj. Subsequently, Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison, seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and other social deprivations.

In October 2022, regarding another case opened against her during her imprisonment, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year and three months in prison along with other additional punishments. In August of last year, she was also sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi by the Norwegian Nobel Committee “for her courageous fight for freedom and human rights over three decades.”

Maryam Mehrabi Arrested by Security Forces in Isfahan

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

Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, was arrested by security forces today, June 18, and taken to an unknown location. Her brother, Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner, has been sentenced to death for political charges.

Mahan Mehrabi, Ms. Mehrabi’s brother, posted an update: “Today, my sister Maryam was arrested by security forces. Additionally, the security forces confiscated all electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones.”
So far, there is no information on the reasons for her arrest or the whereabouts of Ms. Mehrabi and her children.

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. This citizen 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.

Christian Convert Yasin Mousavi Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, Yasin Mousavi, یاسین موسوی

Yasin Mousavi, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, as reported by Mohabat News.

Based on the verdict issued by the third branch of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, presided over by Judge Fathinia, and communicated to Mr. Mousavi, he has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison on charges including “membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security” and “propaganda against the regime through promoting Zionist Christianity.”

Mousavi was previously arrested on December 24, 2023, along with several other Christian converts in the city of Izeh. After enduring twenty days of solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, he was transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Mousavi was released on bail from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz on April 30, 2024.

Mousavi has a history of previous arrests and imprisonment in October 2017, April 2021, and November 2022.

Despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority under Islamic law, the security services pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and deal harshly with those who convert to Christianity.

The persecution of Christian converts is a blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief, including the freedom to express their faith openly or privately.

Mahmoud Toorang Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, HRANA, Mahmoud Toorang, Yasuj, محمد تورنگ

Following the rejection of his appeal request, Mahmoud Toorang, a resident of Yasuj, was sentenced by Branch 2 of the Yasuj Criminal Court to one year in prison and seventy-four lashes.

Based on the verdict issued on June 11 by Branch 105 of the Yasuj Criminal Court, Toorang was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “disturbing public order by causing unrest and participating in protests on December 7, 2022.”

A source close to the family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Toorang’s case was previously closed following the issuance of an amnesty directive. However, the case was reopened, and after the rejection of the appeal request, he was summoned to start serving his sentence.”

Toorang, aged around 29, was initially arrested by security forces in Dehdasht on December 26, 2022. He was released on bail from Yasuj Prison on February 2, 2023. He was re-arrested by security forces in Yasuj on September 15, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini’s death, and was released on bail after 11 days.