Category: News

Three prisoners executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, moharebeh, قزل حصار

At dawn on December 25, the death sentences of three prisoners were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

HRANA has identified the executed individuals as Hamed Pakdaman, Masoud Jalilian, and Hossein Mansouri-Nasb. Hamed Pakdaman was arrested approximately three years ago on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through armed robbery” and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

The two other prisoners, Mr. Jalilian and Mr. Mansouri Nasb, had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly announced these executions.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Teacher Ahmad Derakhshan Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Ahmad Derakhshan, Karaj, revolutionary court, احمد درخشان

Ahmad Derakhshan, a teacher and writer, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to supplementary penalties, including a two-year ban on membership in social groups, a two-year travel ban, prohibition from teaching, and dismissal from governmental and public services for two years following the completion of his prison sentence.

The verdict was recently issued and verbally communicated to Derakhshan’s lawyer.

In September 2024, Derakhshan was summoned to Branch 13 of the Karaj Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, where he was formally charged. He was released shortly thereafter on bail.

Ahmad Derakhshan, a resident of Karaj, has faced repeated summons and interrogations regarding this case. In November 2024, a court session was held to examine the charges against him.

Derakhshan, known for his work as both a teacher and writer, has long been an advocate for educational and social issues, making his sentencing a matter of concern for those monitoring human rights in Iran.

Attorney Khosrow Alikordi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi, Khosrow Alikurdi, Mashhad, Nahbandan, Vakilabad prison, خسرو علیکردی

Yesterday, attorney Khosrow Alikordi, who was serving his sentence under a semi-open prison arrangement, was arrested after being summoned by the supervising judge of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, Alikordi, who was serving his sentence under a semi-open arrangement, was summoned by the supervising judge of Vakilabad Prison and taken into custody. His whereabouts remain unknown.

On August 1, 2023, Alikordi was initially arrested after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. He was transferred to Vakilabad Prison but released on bail after five days.

In January 2024, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, sentenced Alikordi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.” As additional penalties, he was sentenced to two years of exile in Nahbandan, two years of a travel ban, two years of prohibition from practicing law, and two years of a social media ban. The sentence was upheld by Branch 35 of the Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals in January 2024.

In a separate case, Branch 131 of the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Alikordi to a fine of 15 million tomans for “spreading false information and failing to maintain confidentiality.” This sentence was also upheld on appeal.

In early-February 2024, Alikordi was summoned by the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office in connection with another case and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison to serve his one-year prison sentence.

Death Sentence Overturned; Shahab Nadali Jozani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Shahab Nadali Jozani

Following the overturning of Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence by the Supreme Court, his case was reviewed by a parallel court. The political prisoner, currently held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to four years in prison and five years of exile to the city of Na’in.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence has been replaced with imprisonment and exile.

After the Supreme Court’s Branch 39 overturned his death sentence, Nadali’s case was retried in a parallel branch. He was convicted of moharebeh (waging war against God) for “damaging public property with the intent to confront the Islamic Republic.” This conviction led to a five-year exile to Na’in, Isfahan Province, under strict conditions preventing social interaction or contact with others. Additionally, he received a four-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” His previous detention period will count toward his prison term.

The verdict, issued by the Revolutionary Court on December 10, 2023, can be appealed in the Supreme Court within 20 days of its issuance.

The retrial session for Nadali was held on December 3, 2023.

Shahab Nadali Jozani was arrested on June 6, 2023, by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Hamedan and is currently detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In February 2024, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, had sentenced Nadali to death for “rebellion through membership in opposition groups (the Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization)” and to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Now 42 years old, Nadali is married and the father of a 13-year-old daughter.

Artist Moein Robati Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behshahr, Moein Robati, معین رباطی

Moein Robati, a Behshahr-based artist, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court in the city.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the verdict was issued by Ali Gheisari Atrabi, head of Branch 103 of the Second Criminal Court and a Revolutionary Court judge in Behshahr. Robati was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The trial was held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Revolutionary Court, operating within Behshahr’s Second Criminal Court.

Robati was originally arrested at his home by security forces in September 2024. He was released shortly afterward on bail.

In an earlier case from 2021, Robati received a one-year prison sentence for producing and sharing a widely viewed video on social media. However, this sentence remains suspended due to his medical condition, pending a review by a medical commission.

Moein Hosseinpour Robati, a lyricist and filmmaker, has faced previous detentions and judicial convictions related to his artistic activities and expression.

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Two Brothers Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Ali Manian, Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Jasem Manian

On December 24, 2024, two prisoners, who had been sentenced to death on murder charges in a joint case, were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, citing the Iranian Human Rights Organization, the executed individuals were identified as brothers: Ali Manian, 27, and Jasem Manian, 31.

The report reveals that the brothers were arrested two years ago on allegations of murdering a friend. They were subsequently tried and sentenced to death in a joint case.

At the time of writing, neither prison officials nor relevant authorities have formally confirmed the execution.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Bukan

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News, Other
Bukan, Hemin Bahrami, Soran Arshad, بوکان

Today, December 24, 2024, Hemin Bahrami and Soran Arshad, residents of Bukan, were arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa

The individuals have been identified as Bahrami, 36, married and father of two, and Arshad, also married and father of two, both residents of the a village in Bukan county.

The report states that the arrests were carried out at their family homes by security forces without presenting a judicial warrant.

No information is currently available regarding the reasons for their detention, their whereabouts, or the charges against them.

Prisoner Executed in Nahavand Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
HRANA, Nahavand Prison

At dawn today, December 24, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Nahavand Prison.

The identity of the prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Ali Rahm Khani, 35, a resident of a village in the Chegeni County.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Rahm Khani had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. He was transferred to solitary confinement yesterday in preparation for the execution.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been publicly announced by prison authorities or relevant officials.

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.

Majid Tavakoli Sentenced to Two Years in Prison Following Supreme Court Retrial

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Majid Tavakoli, Tehran

Political activist Majid Tavakoli has been sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. The ruling also imposes additional penalties, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran, and engaging in online activities. This decision comes after the Supreme Court overturned a previous six-year prison sentence and ordered a retrial.

A source close to Tavakoli’s family told HRANA: “Following the appeal by Mr. Tavakoli’s lawyers against his initial six-year prison sentence issued in January 2024, the case was referred to the Supreme Court after being accepted for retrial by Branch 54 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court subsequently annulled the original verdict and sent the case to a parallel branch for reconsideration. Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals ultimately sentenced him to two years in prison for ‘assembly and collusion against national security.’ The complementary penalties, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran, and online activities, were also upheld.”

Tavakoli was arrested in Tehran by security forces on September 23, 2022, during the nationwide protests. He was released on bail on December 19, 2022.

In July 2023, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also issued a two-year ban on online activities, residency in Tehran, and international travel. This verdict was later upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals in late August 2023.

Tavakoli began serving his sentence in Evin Prison on October 7, 2023. However, following a temporary suspension of his prison term, he was released on bail in August 2023 pending further judicial review.

Majid Tavakoli is a well-known political activist with a history of arrests and convictions linked to his advocacy work.

Four Prisoners Executed in Different Prisons Across Iran

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Executions, News
Birjand, Firouzabad, Firuzabad, Hamid Moradian, Kermanshah, Naqadeh, Shiraz, Urmia, Urmia prison

In recent days, four prisoners were executed in prisons in Kermanshah, Urmia, Shiraz, and Birjand on charges related to murder and drug offenses.

At dawn on Saturday, December 21, Hamid Moradian, a resident of Firuzabad, Lorestan, was hanged in Kermanshah Prison. According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Moradian had previously been arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

On Monday, December 23, a prisoner convicted of drug-related offenses was executed in Urmia Prison following a Revolutionary Court ruling. HRANA has identified the individual as Loghman Shangeh, a resident of Naqadeh.

Today, December 24, HRANA reported that “Amin Farahmand” was executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, on drug-related charges.

Finally, Haal Vsh reported today the execution of 28-year-old Davood Ghaljaie, a father of one, in Birjand Prison. He was arrested in 2019 on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Birjand. According to the report, his execution was carried out without a final family visit.

As of the time of this report, none of these executions have been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant officials.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.