Category: News

Shahab Mohammadian Arrested in Yasuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Kourosh Jalil, Shahab Mohammadian, شهاب محمدیان

On June 16, 202, Shahab Mohammadian, a resident of Yasuj, was arrested by security forces in this city and transferred to an unknown location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mohammadian’s arrest took place on Sunday, June 16, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. Mohammadian is a relative of Kourosh Jalil, a detained citizen from Yasuj who is currently being held by the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in this city.

As of the time of this report, no information is available about the location where Shahab Mohammadian is being held or the reasons for his arrest.

Iman Dastyar Arrested in Yasuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Dastyar, Yasuj

On June 16, Iman Dastyar, a resident of Yasuj, was arrested by security forces in this city and transferred to an unknown location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Dastyar’s arrest took place on Sunday, June 16, by agents of the Intelligence Department. A source close to the family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “We do not know the charges against Iman Dastyar, but it is likely that his arrest is due to posts on his Instagram page.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available about the location where this citizen is being held.

On September 21, 2022, this citizen was also arrested by security forces in one of the squares of Yasuj during the nationwide protests and was released on bail after twelve days. Dastyar was re-arrested on January 14, 2023, after being summoned to Branch 7 of the Yasuj Prosecutor’s Office. He was eventually released on bond from Yasuj Prison after seven days of detention.

Report on the Latest Situation of Workers’ Rights Advocate Mohammad Davari in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz

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News
Adelabad Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Davari

Mohammad Davari, a workers’ rights advocate is serving his sentence in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz. In a violation of prisoners’ rights, he has recently been denied access to phone calls to his family starting from Sunday, June 16.

A source close to Davari’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, saying: “Mr. Davari was transferred from solitary confinement to the judicial suite of Adelabad Prison, Shiraz today. At the same time, by the order of the prison supervising judge, he has been denied the ability to make phone calls to his family.”

Davari went on a hunger strike on June 8 in protest of his relocation to solitary confinement as a punitive measure.

Davari began serving his sentence on May 15 this year in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

Earlier in November of 2023, he was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mahmoud Sadati, to three years of imprisonment for the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran”, a ban on leaving the country with passport cancellation, a ban on online activities, and mandatory residence in Bardsir, Kerman for two years. Additionally, for the charge of propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups, he was sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment from multiple charges, which is three years of imprisonment, will be enforceable for him.

A source close to the Davari family told HRANA about the details of the court process: “The court did not cite any examples regarding the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” against the defendant. Furthermore, another part of his case concerning the charge of “disseminating falsehoods” is under review in the Shiraz Criminal Court.”

The hearing on Mohammad Davari’s charges was held in absentia on November 19, 2023, in this judicial body.

Mohammad Davari, aged around 30, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Azad University of Yasuj and is a Political Science undergraduate student at Golestan University of Shiraz. He has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

 

Prisoner Exchange; Hamid Nouri Released from Prison and Returned to Iran

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News, Prisoners
Hamid Nouri, Johan Floderus, Karaj, Saeed Azizi

The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, announced on Saturday that Hamid Nouri had been exchanged for Johan Floderus, a Swedish diplomat imprisoned in Iran. In this prisoner swap, Saeed Azizi, a dual Iranian-Swedish citizen, was also released.

Hamid Nouri was arrested in Sweden for crimes against humanity in the summer of 1988 and the massacre of political prisoners. During this period, his detention was extended several times by a Swedish court. On July 14, 2022, a Swedish court charged Hamid Nouri with “gross and criminal violation of international law (equivalent to war crimes) and premeditated murder,” and he was found guilty on both counts. Ultimately, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation to the survivors and families of the victims of the 1988 executions.

Nouri was a prosecutor at Evin and Gohardasht prisons in Karaj in 1988. That summer, thousands of political prisoners in Iran were executed by the regime and secretly buried in mass graves.

Regarding Johan Floderus, an employee of the European Union’s foreign policy department, the Swedish government and the European Union had previously demanded the “immediate” release of this Swedish citizen from prison, calling his detention “arbitrary.” He faced several court sessions with charges such as “corruption on earth by a wide scale organizing act against the country’s security and territorial integrity, and collaborating with the Zionist occupying regime,” as well as “gathering and conspiring to commit crimes against national security.”

Saeed Azizi, a 63-year-old Iranian-Swedish citizen who was released along with Floderus, was arrested by security forces at his home in Tehran on November 12, 2022, during a trip to Iran. He was later sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Appellate Court Confirms Sentences for Three Baha’i Women in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Bahraeh Ghaderi, HRANA, Roksana Vojdani, Sahar Mohebpour, Setareh Ta'ami, Shiraz

The Appellate Court of Fars Province has confirmed the five-year sentences and additional penalties for three Baha’i residents of Shiraz, Sahar Mohebpour, Roksana Vojdani, and Setareh Taami.

A source close to the families of the women informed HRANA that on June 5, Branch 37 of the Appellate Court, led by Judge Kamran Zareh, upheld the convictions. The charges include “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The women are sentenced to five years of house arrest, during which they must wear ankle monitors and are restricted to a 1-kilometer radius around their homes. Furthermore, they face a 15-year ban on social services, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year restriction on online activities.

In September 2023, the Ministry of Intelligence arrested these women along with another Baha’i woman, Bahraeh Ghaderi, in Shiraz. They were subsequently released on bail from Adelabad Prison, pending the outcome of their legal proceedings.

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.

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Two Yarsani Brothers Detained in Kermanshah

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahl-e Haqq, Khalil Alinejad, Pourya Mennati, Shoja Mennati, Yarsanism

On June 12, 2024, Shoja and Pourya Mennati Menjegh-Tapeh, adherents of the Yarsanism faith, were arrested by security forces in Kermanshah.

According to reports from Kurdpa, they were transferred to a detention facility operated by the Ministry of Intelligence in the area. The brothers, who had been serving their sentences under house arrest, were taken into custody during their routine daily check-in at Cheshmeh-Sefid Prison.

Previously, in October-November 2022, they were arrested during the 21st annual ceremony honoring Seyed Khalil Alinejad, a revered Yarsan figure. The Kermanshah Criminal Court subsequently sentenced them to one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order.”

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion that originated in western Iran during the late 14th century under the leadership of Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and persecution at the hands of the security and judicial systems of the regime.

Five Baha’i Citizens in Kerman Face Social Deprivations and Fines Following Court Ruling

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News, Religious Minorities
Behnam Pour-Ahmadi, Foad Shaker Arkani, Paridokht Shojaei, Shahram Fallah, Yekta Fallah

The Revolutionary Court in Kerman has issued sentences involving social deprivations and fines against five Baha’i individuals: Yekta Fallah, Foad Shaker Arkani, Behnam Pour-Ahmadi, Shahram Fallah, and Paridokht Shojaei Baghini.

A source close to one of the affected families confirmed the court’s decision, stating: “Foad Shaker Arkani, Behnam Pour-Ahmadi, Shahram Fallah, and Paridokht Shojaei were cleared of charges related to ‘propaganda against the regime.’ However, they received sentences of suspended social deprivations for five years. Yekta Fallah was specifically sentenced to one year of social deprivation and fined 50 million tomans as an alternative to a prison term of two years and one month.

These individuals were initially detained in July 2023 during a raid at Shahram Fallah’s home. Security forces searched the premises and their vehicles, confiscating various personal items. The detainees were subsequently released on bail within two months.

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.

Execution of Inmate for Drug Offenses in Hamedan Prison

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Executions, News
Hamedan prison, Homayoun Salami

On June 12, 2024, an inmate convicted of drug offenses was executed at Hamedan Prison.

The individual has been identified by HRANA as Homayoun Salami.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Farid Badidast Arrested by Security Forces in Divandarreh

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News, Other
Divandarreh, Farid Badidast, فرید بادیدست

Farid Badidast, a resident of Divandarreh located in Kurdistan province, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, June 12th, and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Kurdpa.

The report states that on Wednesday, security forces entered the Badidast’s home, arrested him without an arrest warrant, and took him to an undisclosed location.

To date, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Mr. Badidast’s arrest or the charges against him.

According to data collected by the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023, Kurdistan Province accounted for 8.3% of reported human rights violations, including instances of arbitrary detentions.

French National Louis Arnaud From Evin Prison

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News
Emmanuel Macron, Evin Prison

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that Louis Arnaud, a French national has been released from prison in Iran. Arnaud was arrested in Iran on September 28, 2022, and transferred to Evin Prison.

Last night, French President Emmanuel Macron stated in a post: “Louis Arnaud has been freed. He will be in France tomorrow after a long imprisonment in Iran.”

In January 2023, the spokesperson for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the arrest of Louis Arnaud in Iran and stated that he had been detained while traveling in Iran on September 28, 2022. The spokesperson had noted that he was being held in “very difficult conditions” in Evin Prison.