Category: News

Baha’i Tahereh Nowrouzi Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Shiraz, Tahereh Nowrouzi

On Sunday, June 9th, Tahereh Nowruzi, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was detained by security forces and relocated to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Nowruzi’s family confirmed the incident to HRANA, reporting: “This morning, Sunday, security agents stormed Nowruzi’s home and took her into custody. During the raid, they also conducted a search and seized several of her personal belongings, including her mobile phone, laptop, books, and photographs.”
The source further noted, “Tahereh is the mother of two young children, ages 6 and 2. With her husband residing in a different city, her arrest has severely impacted her children’s well-being.”

Currently, the reasons for Nowruzi’s arrest and details of her detention remain undisclosed.

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.

Christian Convert Esmaeil Narimanpour Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Dezful, Esmaeil Narimanpour, Payam Rahaee Church, اسماعیل نریمان پور

Esmaeil Narimanpour, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, as reported by Mohabat News.

Narimanpour was charged with “acting against national security through association with Zionist-Christian organizations.”

Narimanpour was initially arrested by security forces in Dezful county on December 24, 2023, and subsequently released on bail from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, in April 2024. During his arrest, security personnel conducted an extensive search and seized several of his possessions. Furthermore, on the day of his arrest, his wife and brother were detained and interrogated for hours at the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Ahvaz, but were later released after signing a commitment letter.

Narimanpour is affiliated with the Payam Rahaee Church and has previously been arrested for his non-violent religious activities. Despite Christians being legally recognized as a religious minority in Iran, there remains persistent surveillance and interference in their religious practices by security forces, particularly targeting Christian converts.

It is crucial to emphasize that such actions stand in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These international instruments affirm the right of everyone to freedom of religion, the freedom to change their religion or belief, and the freedom to express these beliefs individually or collectively, openly or in private.

Execution of Inmate at Neyshabur Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Iman Rezaiepour, Neyshabur, Razavi Khorasan Province

On June 2, 2024, an inmate convicted of murder was executed at Neyshabur Prison, located in Razavi Khorasan Province, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Iman Rezaiepour, a 40-year-old father of two, had been sentenced to death for murder three years prior. Previously, he had been placed in solitary confinement twice while awaiting execution, but he recevied a reprieve in order to get amnesty from the victim’s family, who demanded five billion tomans (approximately 100,000 dollars) as blood money to spare his life. However, he was unable to raise the required sum.

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.

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.

Two Drug Convicts Executed in Zanjan Prison

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Executions, News
Nader Khosrawi, Nasrollah Ayoubi, Zanjan Prison

On June 5, two inmates convicted of drug-related offenses were executed at Zanjan Prison, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The executed individuals were Nader Khosrawi, a 32-year-old from Qazvin, and Nasrollah Ayoubi, a 27-year-old from Ahvaz and father of one.

The report states that Khosrawi was arrested three years ago on charges of smuggling 50 kilograms of drugs. Similarly, Ayoubi was sentenced to death for drug smuggling two years ago.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing.

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.

Iran’s Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Political Prisoner Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Again

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Mashhad, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, محمد جواد وفایی

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of Iran has for the second time overturned the death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, a 28-year-old boxing coach turned political prisoner. His case has now been reassigned to another branch for a new trial.

Babak Paknia, the attorney for Vafaie, confirmed the development to the public.

Vafaie was initially arrested by security forces in Mashhad in March 2020 and has since been detained in Vakilabad Prison.

He was originally sentenced to death in January 2020 on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” by committing arson and deliberately destroying public property, including a penitentiary facility. Despite the Supreme Court overturning this initial verdict, Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court reimposed the death sentence in July 2023, necessitating another Supreme Court review which resulted in the recent overturn.

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Appellate Court Upholds Six-Month Sentence for Propaganda Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Pouyan Moghaddam, HRANA, Sabzevar, علی پویان مقدم

In Razavi Khorasan Province, the Appellate Court has confirmed a six-month prison sentence for Ali Pouyan Moghaddam, a resident of Sabzevar.

A family associate relayed to HRANA that the appellate decision upheld the initial ruling.
The Sabzevar Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Gholami, had initially found Moghaddam guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

He was detained by security forces on May 4, 2023, and subsequently released on bail after 12 days, pending the outcome of his legal proceedings.

 

Reza Babrnejad Arrested and Jailed in Quchan Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mehdi Babrnejad, Quchan, Reza Babrnejad

On June 6, 2024, security forces arrested Reza Babrnejad and incarcerated him in Quchan Prison, located in Razavi Khorasan province. His brother, Mehdi Babrnejad was killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Reza was detained at his home and subsequently taken to Quchan Prison. Notably, he had faced arrest before; on May 20, 2024, he was taken into custody after posting on Instagram about a helicopter crash that resulted in the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. He was held for 13 days and then released on bail from the same prison.

The specifics of the charges leading to Reza’s latest arrest remain unclear. He has previously been arrested and convicted for his involvement in various activities.

Mehdi Babrnejad, aged 22, was fatally shot by security forces on September 21, 2022. His family received his body only after signing a forced letter of commitment. His funeral took place under strict security measures.

Iranian Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Sunni Cleric Mohammad Khezrnejad

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ali Razini, Asa'ad Rahimi, Mohammad Khezrnejad

Branch 41 of the Iranian Supreme Court, under the leadership of Judge Ali Razini, has upheld the death sentence and additional imprisonment for Sunni Cleric Mohammad Khezrnejad. He was arrested amidst the nationwide protests in 2022, as reported by Kurdpa.

On November 19, 2022, Khezrnejad and his son were detained by security forces in Bukan and subsequently incarcerated in Urmia Prison.

Judge Reza Najafzadeh, presiding over the Urmia Revolutionary Court, later found Khezrnejad guilty on multiple counts, including “spreading corruption on earth,” “compromising national security by threatening the country’s integrity or independence,” and “engaging in propaganda against the regime.” He received a combined sentence of death and 16 years in prison. Khezrnejad has consistently refuted the charges, labeling them as unfounded.

The conviction was largely based on coerced confessions extracted during interrogations, where Khezrnejad allegedly confessed to “leading protests in Bukan and affiliating with anti-regime factions.” He has challenged the validity of these confessions.

His arrest followed a speech he gave at the funeral of Asa’ad Rahimi, a protestor killed by regime forces. The arrest also included a physical assault on Khezrnejad.

30 Arrested in Abbasabad County for Alleged Satanism

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbasabad, Mazandaran province, satanism

The Police Chief of Abbasabad County, Mazandaran Province, announced the arrest of 30 individuals—18 men and 12 women—on allegations of “Satanism,” according to Asr Iran News Outlet. These individuals are also accused of possessing alcoholic beverages and drugs.

Police Chief Davoud Safarizadeh reported that the arrests were made following a tip-off about a “Satanic” group that had traveled to Abbasabad ostensibly as tourists. In a surprise operation, police detained the group, who reportedly displayed Satanic symbols.

The identities and exact detention location of the arrested individuals have not been disclosed. Recovered from the scene were various alcoholic beverages and drugs. The detainees now face legal proceedings.

This incident adds to ongoing criticisms of Iran’s regime for its intrusive practices into the private lives of its citizens and violations of privacy rights.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Milad Jalili Begins Prison Term for Political Rap

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News, Prisoners
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Milad Jalili, Tabriz Prison

On June 5, 2024, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Milad Jalili commenced his eight-month prison sentence at Tabriz Prison. This sentence was confirmed by Branch 32 of the Appellate Court of East Azerbaijan Province.

In a video on his personal page, Jalili shared that he had begun serving his term. Originally arrested on November 28, 2023, by security forces in Tabriz, where he resides and is known as a rapper, Jalili was initially released on bail on January 29, 2024.

The Revolutionary Court of Tabriz had sentenced him for “propaganda against the regime by performing political rap music in support of convicted secessionists.” However, he was acquitted of the charges related to “acting against national security through inciting people to cause unrest.” The appellate court upheld this verdict.