Category: News

Two Prisoners Executed in Birjand Prison

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Executions, News
Abdolghafour Shahoozahi, Birjand Prison

On October 13, the execution of two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was carried out in Birjand Prison, according to Haal Vsh.

One of the prisoners has been identified as Abdolghafour Shahoozahi (also known as Mohammad Gorgi), 40 years old and father of four, from Zabol County.

According to an informed source, in 2019, Shahoozahi and two others were arrested in Birjand County on drug-related charges. Two of them, including Shahoozahi, were sentenced to death, while the third individual received a 15-year prison sentence.

The report notes that the executions were carried out without the prisoners’ final visits with their families. The identity of the second individual has not been disclosed.

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial officials have not announced the executions.

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.

Manijeh Khoshnoud Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Manijeh Khoshnoud

Manijeh Khoshnoud, a resident of Bukan, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Criminal Court of Bukan, according to Kurdpa.

The sentence, issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Bukan and delivered to Khoshnoud yesterday, convicts her of “propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a 10-month prison sentence.

Manijeh Khoshnoud, 56, was arrested by security forces on July 31, 2024.

She was eventually released on bail from Bukan Prison on September 5, 2024.

Attorney Mehdi Karimi Farsi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Mazloumi, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, an attorney, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, and communicated to the attorney today, he has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

On February 5, 2024, a court hearing was held for Mr. Karimi Farsi and two other attorneys in the same court.

Previously, he had been summoned to the court after receiving a notice to defend himself against the charge.

Karimi Farsi, an attorney and member of the Central Bar Association, gained widespread attention in August 2023 when he staged a protest march through a lengthy route in Tehran to advocate for the independence of the Bar Association. His demonstration resonated strongly with attorneys across Iran, sparking significant discussion and support within the legal community.

Farzad Moazami Goudarzi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Borujerd, Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, Reza Moazzami Goodarzi

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, a relative of Reza Moazzami Goodarzi, one of the victims of the November 2019 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after months of uncertainty in Evin Prison.

In a ruling issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, Moazzami Goodarzi was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, a close relative of Reza Moazzami Goodarzi (who was killed during the November 2019 protests), was arrested on April 4, 2023, by security forces in front of his residence in Borujerd. He was later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, where he remained in limbo for over five months.

He had previously been arrested by security forces in Borujerd on September 5, 2023, but was released after a short period on bail from the city’s Prison.

It is worth noting that Reza Moazzami Goodarzi, aged around 24, was killed by gunfire in Shahriar on November 17, 2019, during the nationwide protests. His body was laid to rest in Borujerd.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Mohammad Habibi

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
mohammad habibi, Ramin Safarnia, Shahriar Revolutionary Court, Tehran

Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld the six-month and one-day prison sentence of Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Teachers’ Union, leaving the original verdict unchanged.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the court reaffirmed Habibi’s sentence, which had been issued by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court. He was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

Habibi’s defense attorney, Ramin Safarnia, stated: “Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals rejected our appeal and confirmed the sentence of my client, Mohammad Habibi, handed down by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court for propaganda against the regime.”

The initial trial for this case took place on June 29, 2023.

On April 5, 2023, Habibi was arrested at his workplace in Tehran by security agents due to his protest posts regarding the serial poisoning attacks on schools across the country. He was eventually released on May 20 of the same year from Ward 209 of Evin Prison after posting bail.

It is worth noting that this spokesperson for the Teachers’ Trade Association was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran on April 30, 2022, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week in Iran and a protest gathering of educators. He was released from Evin Prison on February 8 of the following year.

In October 2022, he was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years and seven months in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” a two-year ban on activities and membership in groups, and a travel ban.

Habibi has a history of arrests and convictions due to his activities.

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Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Labor Activist Sharifeh Mohammadi

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Executions, News
Death sentence, Rasht, Sharifeh Mohammadi

The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison, Rasht. Branch 39 of the Supreme Court nullified the sentence and referred her case to a parallel court for retrial.

Amir Raisian, Mohammadi’s defense attorney, confirmed the ruling, stating that her death sentence, initially issued by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, has been voided. Her case will now undergo a fresh review.

Mohammadi was sentenced to death on July 4, 2023, on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) due to her alleged membership in an opposition group. This sentence against the female labor activist triggered widespread public outcry.

Her trial, held on June 8, 2023, revolved around multiple charges, including propaganda against the regime, actions against national security, and baghi through her supposed affiliation with the group.

Mohammadi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence at her home in Rasht on December 5, 2023. Later that month, she was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, only to be sent back to Lakan after some time.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no ties to the Komala group. The charge of baghi is based on her alleged membership in this group, which is not true.”

Maryam Akbari Monfared’s Imprisonment Extended by Two Years After Completion of 15-Year Sentence

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News, Prisoners
evin court, Hossein Taj, Maryam Akbari-Monfared, moharebeh, Semnan, Zeinab Jalalian

On October 11, Maryam Akbari Monfared completed her 15-year prison sentence, but she remains behind bars due to the enforcement of a new two-year sentence. This extension means the political prisoner, who is the second longest-held female political detainee in Iran, will continue her incarceration.

Akbari Monfared’s lawyer, Hossein Taj, commented on the situation: “After 15 years of imprisonment with exile and not a single day of furlough, my client’s sentence ended. Over the years, several cases were initiated against her, most of which ended in acquittal. However, the latest case, presented without evidence, resulted in a two-year sentence. According to the law, the new sentence should be served in Tehran.”

Akbari Monfared was arrested on December 31, 2009, following the Ashura protests, demonstrations that erupted in response to the disputed results of the 2009 presidential election. In June 2010, she was sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, to 15 years in prison. She was charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, an accusation she has consistently denied.

On March 9, 2021, Akbari Monfared was transferred from Evin Prison to Semnan Prison, where she has been held in the general ward. Her detention conditions violate the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their crimes, and she has had limited access to health facilities.

In July 2022, two new cases were brought against her in the courts of Evin and Semnan. A year later, in July 2023, her lawyer confirmed that she had been sentenced to an additional two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court.

Akbari Monfared’s family has a history of political persecution. Two of her brothers were executed in 1981 and 1984 by Iran’s Revolutionary Courts for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. In 1988, her younger brother and sister were also executed during the mass killings of political prisoners.

A mother of three daughters, Maryam Akbari Monfared now holds the position of the second longest-serving female political prisoner in Iran, following Zeinab Jalalian.

Over Eight Months of Detention: Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim Denied Bail and Legal Representation in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Evin Prison, HRANA, Qarchak, عظیمی قدیم

Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist and cleric, has been held in Evin Prison for over eight months without a clear legal outcome, as authorities continue to reject requests for his temporary release on bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Azimi Ghadim has now spent 248 days in detention without a formal resolution to his case. Despite repeated appeals, authorities have refused to convert his detention to bail. Furthermore, he has been denied access to legal counsel, limiting his ability to defend himself effectively.

A source close to Azimi Ghadim’s family confirmed to HRANA that he has gone on hunger strike twice since his arrest, protesting his prolonged detention and the lack of resolution in his case. This has raised serious concerns about his health and well-being.

In July 2024, a hearing was held at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by the notorious Judge Abolqasem Salavati, to review the charges against him. Azimi Ghadim defended himself against accusations of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.” Despite his defense, no resolution was reached, and his legal situation remains uncertain.

Azimi Ghadim was originally arrested on February 7, 2024, by security forces in Qarchak while traveling from Qom to Tehran. He was first taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 240 of Evin Prison, before being transferred to the general ward.

Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim has a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations related to his activism. His continued detention and denial of basic legal rights underscore the broader pattern of suppression faced by political and ethnic activists in Iran.

Three Prisoners Executed in Karaj Central Prison

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Executions, News
Ebrahim Sedigh, HRANA, Karaj, Majid Afrouz, Mohammad Mashmool, The Central Prison of Karaj

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, three prisoners previously sentenced to death for separate murder convictions were executed in Karaj Central Prison.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, confirmed the identities of the executed individuals as Majid Afrouz (52), Mohammad Mashmool, and Ebrahim Sedigh.

A source informed HRANA that the prisoners had been sentenced by judicial authorities in separate murder cases and were being held in Ward 7 of Karaj Central Prison before their executions.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the executions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Two Prisoners Executed in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin

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Executions, News
Choobindar Prison, HRANA, Qazvin

On Wednesday, October 9, two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges were executed in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin.

Based on information received by HRANA, the prisoners had been previously arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

Further details, including the identities of the prisoners, are currently being investigated by HRANA.

As of the time this report was compiled, the executions had not yet been officially confirmed by prison officials or relevant authorities.

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.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.