Category: News

Teacher Union Activist Iraj Toubaeiha Sentenced to Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Iraj Toubaeiha, Isfahan, Najafabad, Najafabadi, ایرج توبه ایها

Iraj Toubaeiha (Najafabadi), a member of the Najafabad Teachers’ Trade Association, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined by the Isfahan Appeals Court. This sentence follows a prior ruling where he was sentenced to six years in prison, two years of exile, and an additional fine in a separate part of his case.

According to the recent verdict from Branch 34, the two-year prison sentence and fine for Mr. Toubaeiha have been upheld. Earlier, Branch 102 of the Najafabad Criminal Court convicted him of “spreading false information with the intent to disturb public opinion,” resulting in a two-year prison term and a fine of 10 million Tomans.

In another part of his case, in May of this year, Toubaeiha was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Najafabad Revolutionary Court to six years of imprisonment, two years of exile, and a fine. This decision was later confirmed by Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court.

Toubaeiha has a history of previous arrests, having been detained for 35 days in the fall of 2022, 5 days in the spring of 2023, and 13 days in the fall of 2023.

Hassan Abbasi and Farshid Ma’naie Indicted

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, Farshid Ma’naie, Hassan Abbasi, حسن عباسی, فرشید معنایی

The Fourth Branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Bandar Abbas has issued arrest warrants for Hassan Abbasi, a journalist, and Farshid Ma’naie, the CEO of the Hormozgan Spinal Cord Injury Association.

Abbasi revealed that the Prosecutor’s Office found both him and Ma’naie guilty of “making false statements and spreading misinformation.” In 2022, the Bandar Abbas Prosecutor initiated legal action against them over their criticism of the judiciary.

Additionally, Abbasi faces further complaints from multiple entities, including the Welfare Organization, the Governor’s Office, the General Department of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, as well as the Hormozgan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture.

Recently, Abbasi received a summons from the prosecutor’s office for his final defense on charges of “disturbing public order, defamation, insulting officials and agents, and spreading false information.” He was called to present his defense before the court.

On May 21, 2024, security forces detained Abbasi in Bandar Abbas. However, he was released after several hours.

Abbasi has a history of arrests and legal challenges due to his professional activities. He is currently an editorial board member of Tabnak, a news website, and a member of the Tehran Journalists Association, with past collaborations including work with Mehr News Agency.

Two Prisoners Executed in Urmia Prison

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Executions, News
Borhan Ansari, Bukan, HRANA, Urmia prison

At dawn on October 10, two prisoners convicted of non-political offenses, including drug-related charges, were executed in Urmia Prison.

HRANA identified one of the executed individuals as Borhan Ansari, a resident of Urmia. Mr. Ansari was arrested three years ago on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. The second prisoner, originally from Bukan, had also been sentenced to death for similar offenses.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have yet to publicly confirm 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.

Execution of Seven Individuals in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ahmad Narooie, Arman Hedayati, Ghezel Hesar prison, Kamran Saghaie, Karaj, Mohammad Narooie

At dawn October 9, at least seven prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Among those executed were Ahmad Narooie, Mohammad Narooie, and Kamran Saghaie, who had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court for drug-related charges. Additionally, the Criminal Court sentenced two Afghan nationals to death for rape. The remaining two prisoners, who had been convicted of murder, included Arman Hedayati, whose identity was verified by HRANA.

Ahmad Narooie and Mohammad Narooie were from Sistan and Baluchestan, and Kamran Saghaie was from Khorramabad. The Narooie brothers were previously arrested in Tehran for possessing 25 kilograms of crystal meth and were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. Saghaie was arrested in Shahriar for trafficking 700 kilograms of morphine and later received a death sentence.

Details about other executed individuals, as reported by Etemad newspaper, are as follows:

According to Etemad, one of the two prisoners convicted of murder had killed his father in 2007 during a family dispute. Initially, he attempted to murder his 10-year-old niece to take revenge on his brother but ultimately killed his father. After his trial and sentencing, he was granted a temporary reprieve by the victim’s family but was executed once this period expired, as he failed to obtain their pardon.

The second individual was a man who, in 2021, killed his neighbor over a personal dispute and then burned the body. Despite attempts to obtain the victim’s family’s consent, he was executed after the failed negotiations.

Etemad also reported, without revealing the identities of the Afghan prisoners, that they were sentenced to death for a gang rape that took place in 2019 in western Tehran. The incident occurred when the victim, a woman, visited a villa and was assaulted by seven Afghan men. Six members of this group received death sentences, with two being executed last week and two others yesterday. The remaining two defendants are currently awaiting execution in prison.

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.

Mohammad Ahmadi, Creator of “Dialogue Iran,” Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dialogue Iran, Mohammad Ahmadi

Mohammad Ahmadi, a social researcher and creator of the talk show Dialogue Iran, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, October 8, and taken to an undisclosed location.

Although the exact reason for Mr. Ahmadi’s arrest remains unclear, it is speculated that his detention may be connected to the interviews and discussions aired on his YouTube channel, Dialogue Iran.

Ahmadi, known for his work in social research, has used the Dialogue Iran platform to engage in critical conversations and explore social issues. The program, broadcast on YouTube, has gained attention for its candid discussions on various topics.

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Journalist Hossein Jafarian Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhang Ajabshir, HRANA, IRIB, Jafarian

Hossein Jafarian, a journalist from Ajabshir located East Azerbaijan province, has been sentenced to 13 months and 16 days in prison by the Second Criminal Court of this city.

A source told HRANA, “Based on the verdict issued by the Second Criminal Court of Ajabshir on Sunday, October 6, 2024, and communicated to Mr. Jafarian, he was sentenced to 13 months and 16 days in prison for the charge of ‘spreading false information on the Internet.’”

The source added that the basis for the charge was related to his stories published on his personal Instagram account.

Jafarian is a journalist for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and the manager of the virtual media outlet Farhang Ajabshir. He also has a background working with Fars News Agency.

Four Prisoners, Including a Juvenile Offender, Executed in Karaj and Zahedan

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Executions, News
Ahmad Narooie, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mehdi Brahooie, Mohammad Eshaq-Zahi, Saeed Safaie, Zahedan

Today, October 9, the death sentences of four prisoners, including a juvenile offender previously convicted of drug-related charges and murder, were carried out in Zahedan and Ghezel Hesar prisons in Karaj, accroding to Haal Vsh.

The identities of these hanged prisoners have been reported as follows: Ahmad Narooie, 33, and Mohammad Eshaq-Zahi, 31, both residents of Zahedan; Mehdi Brahooie, 21; and Saeed Safaie, approximately 55 years old, Kermanshah.

According to the report, Mehdi Brahooie was arrested in 2019 at the age of 17 on murder charges following a group altercation in Khash. After spending about two years in the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center, he was transferred to Zahedan Prison. He was eventually sentenced to death by the Juvenile Court of Sistan and Baluchestan Province and was moved to solitary confinement on Sunday, October 6, in preparation for his execution, which was carried out in Zahedan Prison.

Additionally, Narooie and Eshaq-Zahi were arrested in 2020 in Tehran, along with three others, in a joint case on drug-related charges. They were sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Saeed Safaie, a retired teacher, was also arrested on drug-related charges in 2018. The executions of these three individuals were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

At the time of this report’s publication, the prison authorities and responsible organizations have yet to officially announce 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.

Edris Karsaz Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Edris Karsaz, Idris Karsaz, Oshnavieh, Urmia

Edris (Idris) Karsaz, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of this city, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Based on the verdict recently communicated to Mr. Karsaz, the Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years in prison for charges related to “membership and collaboration with an anti-regime group.”

On July 3, 2023, Edris Karsaz was arrested by security forces at his home in Oshnavieh without a judicial warrant and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia. He was eventually released on bail from Oshnavieh Prison on August 21.

Karsaz is 55 years old and a resident of Oshnavieh.

Reza Arabpour Sentenced to 15 Years Following 2022 Protests in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
and Esmail Mousavi Nazari, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Rasoul Bodaghi, Sadegh Ghasemi, Vahid Abbasi

Reza Arabpour, one of the detainees from the 2022 nationwide protests in Izeh, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

According to his defense attorney, Hossein Ali Hatami, Mr. Arabpour was convicted on charges of “aiding and abetting moharebeh” (enmity against God) but was acquitted of charges related to participation in rebel groups. Mr. Hatami also stated that Mr. Arabpour’s vehicle has been released and that they plan to appeal the verdict. Before the issuance of this verdict, Arabpour was released on bail on September 28, 2024, after spending 21 months in detention.

On October 6, 2023, the same court acquitted several other defendants in the case—Bahman Bahmani, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Behrooz Salahshoor, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, Sadegh Ghasemi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari—of charges including moharebeh, “corruption on earth,” and membership in groups opposing the regime.

A few months later, the joint indictment of these individuals on charges of moharebeh, corruption on earth, and forming rebel groups was referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Annual Report on Executions in Iran: Marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty

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Executions, News, Publications
Citizen executions, Corruption on Earth, drug-related executions, Execution, World Day Against the Death Penalty

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)– Ahead of the World Day against the Death Penalty, the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) has published its annual report in an effort to inform the public about situation of the death penalty in Iran, particularly thousands of individuals facing the death penalty and awaiting looming executions.

HRA’s Statistics Center relies on the work of HRANA reporters, as well as a network of independent and verifiable sources. It also incorporates the judicial authorities’ announcements or confirmations of prisoner executions on media, and as such, is exposed to a margin of error representing efforts by the Iranian authorities to omit, conceal, or restrict the collection of such data.

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.

HRANA obtained 721 reports regarding executions and death penalty in Iran during this period. The identified executed individuals, include 23 women and 4 juvenile offenders under the age of 18 at the time of alleged crime. Compared to the last period, the execution of female offenders has increased 35.29%.

According to the reports obtained by HRANA, over this period, Iranian authorities sentenced at least 186 defendants to death penalty, including at least 12 women, and 3 individuals to public execution. Death sentences issued increased by 13.41% compared to the last year. In the reporting period, the Supreme Court additionally upheld 59 previously imposed death sentences.

The chart below shows a breakdown of executions by capital offense: 55.49% were charged with drug trafficking, 35.51% with murder, 2.34% with rape, 2.34% with unknown offenses, 1.23% with spying, terror, and bombing, 1.11% with Corruption on Earth (Non-political), 0.86% with Political or Security-related offenses, 0.62% with armed robbery and 0.49% with Corruption on Earth.

execution in Iran

The pie chart below displays execution numbers by the province in which they took place. According to this chart, the Alborz (where three overcrowded prisons are located)  had the highest number of executions at 21.70%. Fars and Isfahan Provinces come second and third, with 9.86% and 6.78%, respectively.

The chart below depicts the distribution of executions’ information sources. The chart indicates that 71.64% of HRANA-confirmed executions were not announced by the official Iranian sources. Undisclosed executions are referred to as “secret” executions.


The chart down shows the execution numbers by gender.

The chart below displays execution numbers by the prison where the executions were carried out. The Qezel Hesar Prison of Karaj And Adel Abad of Shiraz officials have carried out the highest number.

The chart below displays percentage of executions carried out in public vs the number of executions that were carried out in prison. According to statistics, 0.49% of the executions in Iran were carried out in public.

 

For further inquiries please contact Skylar Thompson, Deputy Director Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) at [email protected]