Category: News

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar and Rap Singer Milad Jalili Sentenced to a Total of 14 Months in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Milad Jalili, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Tabriz Revolutionary Court

In a recent legal development, the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz has handed down a combined 14-month prison sentence to Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Milad Jalili, a rap singer.

As per the verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Taher Afshar has been sentenced to six months for “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili has received eight months for “propaganda against the regime through performing a political rap music supporting convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili has been acquitted of the charge of “acting against national security through inciting people to violence and riots.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days.

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.

Woman Executed in Qazvin Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Hajar Atabaki, Qazvin prison

In a tragic turn of events, Hajar Atabaki, a 41-year-old mother of one, was executed in Qazvin Prison on January 20, 2024, following her conviction for drug-related crimes, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Ms. Atabaki had been found guilty of drug offenses approximately two and a half years ago.

The execution raises concerns and renews discussions about the use of capital punishment, especially in cases related to non-violent offenses.

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.

Political Prisoners Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi Sentenced to 15 Years Each in Absentia

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News, Prisoners
Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi

In a recent court in absentia, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran has handed down a 15-year imprisonment to each of the political prisoners, Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court imposed the 15-year sentences on both women in the same legal case, citing “suspicious membership in anti-regime groups” as the grounds for their conviction. The specific acts supporting this charge remain undisclosed. Notably, Iman Afshari, the presiding judge known for controversial verdicts, led the proceedings.

According to a source who informed HRANA, the defendants contested the legitimacy of the court and opted not to participate in the proceedings.

It is essential to highlight that the women had previously been indicted for “Baghi” (armed rebellion) on December 9, 2023. Security forces arrested Farsi and Taghipour on August 21, 2023. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, they were later transferred to the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison.

Their activism has led to a history of previous convictions and incarcerations.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Baha’i Citizen Rouya Sabet Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Rouya Sabet, Shiraz

On February 15, Baha’i citizen Rouya Sabet was arbitrarily arrested in Shiraz by IRGC Intelligence agents and transferred to an undisclosed facility.

A source close to her family confirmed Sabet’s arrest, revealing to HRANA that IRGC Intelligence is responsible for the apprehension. The source disclosed that Sabet, who had traveled to Shiraz from the UAE on January 4 to care for her elderly parent, was scheduled to return on January 25. However, two days before her planned departure, IRGC Intelligence agents executed a search warrant at her parent’s residence.

During the raid, the agents conducted a thorough search, interrogated Mrs. Sabet, and questioned two other family members. Subsequently, the agents also searched the residences of these two family members without presenting a warrant. The confiscated items reportedly include the family’s cell phones, as well as Mrs. Sabet’s passport, driver’s license, and ID card. Furthermore, Sabet was informed that she is prohibited from leaving the country.

The motive behind Sabet’s arrest and the nature of the allegations against her remain unknown at this time.

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.

Samad Pourshah Sentenced to Six Months in Yasuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini, Samad Pourshah, Yasuj

Samad Pourshah, a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, has been handed a six-month prison term by Judge Ghahremani of Branch 1, Revolutionary Court of Yasuj.

On February 14, the court issued the verdict, convicting Pourshah on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Additionally, the following day, a separate legal case was addressed by the Yasuj criminal court, involving charges such as “insulting the prophet of Islam, insulting the Supreme Leader, blasphemy, propaganda against the regime, disseminating false information, and disturbing public opinions” against Pourshah.
It is important to highlight that charges such as insulting the Prophet of Islam may lead to severe punishment, even the death penalty, under Iran’s legal system.

Pourshah’s arrest by security forces in Yasuj dates back to September 16, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s tragic death.

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Lawyer Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh Arrested in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Karaj, Kargar-Pisheh, Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh

Security forces apprehended Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh Moghadam, a practicing attorney, in Karaj on February 14, subsequently transferring him to a detention facility within the city.

According to a source close to Kargarpisheh’s family, the arrest occurred on a street in Karaj while he was en route to his office. He has been relocated to a detention facility in Karaj.

“Despite the family’s inquiries, the reason for this arrest has yet to be disclosed,” the source added.

Baha’i Educator Keyvan Rahimian Receives Nine-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Keyvan Rahimian, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Keyvan Rahimian, a Baha’i citizen and lecturer at an online university affiliated with the Baha’i community, has been sentenced to nine years in prison, accompanied by a fine and a six-year deprivation of social rights.

The verdict, issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, outlines a five-year sentence for “educational activities and propagating against Sharia Islam” and a four-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” Alongside the prison term, Rahimian has been prohibited from exercising social rights and ordered to pay a fine.

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code stipulates that five years of the prison term will be enforced, as it imposes the maximum prison term for one charge from multiple charges.

Rahimian was apprehended by security forces in Tehran on July 18, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin prison. His detention has been extended for four consecutive months, with Rahimian granted leave from November 25 to 29, 2023, to attend his mother’s funeral.

This is not the first time Rahimian has faced legal repercussions for his activism. In August 2017, he was released from Rajai Shahr Prison after completing a five-year sentence. The current sentence raises concerns about the ongoing suppression of Baha’i individuals engaged in educational and community activities.

Hossein Hosseinkhani Receives Two-Year Sentence in Absentia

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hossein Hosseinkhani, Mehrshad Shahidi-Nejad

The Revolutionary Court of Arak has issued a two-year prison sentence in absentia for Hossein Hosseinkhani.

Presiding over Branch 2 of the Arak Revolutionary Court, Judge Hosseini ruled that Hosseinkhani should serve a two-year prison term for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

In a separate aspect of the legal case, Hosseinkhani was initially handed a three-month prison sentence for “defying government officers” by the Criminal Court of Arak. However, this verdict was later commuted to a fine.

Hosseinkhani was arrested on October 27, 2023, by security forces while attending the burial of Mehrshad Shahidi-Nejad Monfared Tehrani, one of the protestors killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests. Four days later, he was released on bail from Arak Prison.

This was not Hosseinkhani’s first encounter with law enforcement. He faced a previous arrest during the nationwide protests on September 20, 2022, but was later released on bond.

The backdrop of these events includes the tragic death of 19-year-old Mehrshad Shahidi-Nejad on October 26, 2022, during protests in Arak, where he was struck by batons, leading to his untimely demise.

Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi’s One-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Iranian Rapper, Isfahan, Toomaj Salehi

The Appeals Court of Isfahan Province has upheld the one-year sentence for protest singer Toomaj Salehi, as reported by ILNA.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, revealed that the Court of Appeal dismissed their complaint against the initial verdict, rendering it final. Despite this setback, Raisian announced plans to pursue a retrial based on Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Salehi’s conviction for “propaganda against the regime” comes with additional consequences, including a two-year travel ban, the revocation of his passport, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills programs.

Furthermore, Raisian clarified that this verdict is connected to a legal case initiated this year, stemming from the publication of a photo by Salehi.

He emphasized that Salehi faces an even greater challenge from a separate legal case dating back two years. On January 21, 2024, the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse of Isfahan indicted Salehi on multiple charges, including Baghi, an accusation of armed rebellion that carries the potential for severe punishment, including execution. In response, Raisian, expressed concerns about due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” The Criminal Court has undertaken another part of this legal, adding more legal challenges to this protest rapper.

Journalist Nasrin Hassani’s One-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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News, Prisoners
Bojnurd, Hossein Ghodrati, Nasrin Hassani, North Khorasan province, Siahat-e Shargh

The Appeals Court’s Branch 2 in North Khorasan Province has affirmed the one-year sentence for journalist Nasrin Hassani, a resident of Bojnurd.

Judge Hossein Ghodrati, presiding over the court, conveyed this verdict to Hassani. Initially, the Revolutionary Court in Bojnurd convicted her of “propaganda against the regime,” citing the publication of images and films on the Internet as an example of these charges.

Currently serving another sentence in Bojnurd Prison since February 4, Hassani was initially sentenced on November 11, 2023, by the Criminal Court of Bojnurd for “disseminating false information” and fined for alleged “non-compliance with Hijab in public.”

Nasrin Hassani, the managing editor of the weekly newspaper Siahat-e Shargh, is a single mother to a 13-year-old son.

It’s noteworthy that Hassani faced legal repercussions during the Mahsa Amini Protests in September 2022, having been arrested by security forces. She was subsequently released after a period of detention.