Category: News

Motahareh Goonehi Arrested and Transferred to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ardabil University, Mahdi Hadizadeh, Motahareh Goonehi, Tehran

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has announced the arrest and imprisonment of Motahareh Goonehi, a student activist.

The report indicates that her arrest and imprisonment were prompted by content she posted on social media.

On the previous day, Ms. Goonehi had received an electronic summons ordering her to appear before Branch 9 of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office for Media and Culture.

The Deputy Minister for Culture and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Health also announced that Goonehi’s right to continue her studies has been revoked, and a disciplinary file has been opened against her at the university.

Recently, the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office pressed charges against Goonehi, a suspended student from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, citing her “online posts” regarding Iran’s recent military actions.

Earlier, Ms. Goonehi had announced her transfer to Ardabil University. She and her husband, Mahdi Hadizadeh, also a student at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, had previously been temporarily suspended and transferred to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences by the Central Committee of the Ministry of Health.

On May 1, 2024, Goonehi was detained by IRGC Intelligence agents in Tehran after being summoned. She was taken to Evin Prison but was released on bail after several days of detention.

In July, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to one year in prison.

Goonehi, a dentistry student and former political secretary of the Islamic Association of Students at the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences, had also been detained by security forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Mohammadreza Khalili Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Mohammadreza Khalili, Rasht

Mohammadreza Khalili, a 22-year-old Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been sentenced to one year in prison by a court in Rasht.

According to HRANA, Khalili was convicted based on a recent ruling issued by the Judiciary of Rasht. He was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “inciting or provoking people to warfare and violence with the intent to disrupt national security.” Khalili defended himself against these charges on August 6, 2024, in Branch 103 of the Astara Criminal Court.

Previously, this activist, originally from Khalkhal, was arrested by the Cyber Police (FATA) in the city of Sowme’eh Sara, Gilan Province, and subsequently transferred to prison. He was later released on bail set at 2 billion tomans.

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.

Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Political Prisoner Mahmood Mehrabi

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Executions, News
Dastgerd, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Revolutionary Court in Isfahan

The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Mahmood (Mahmoud) Mehrabi, a political prisoner detained at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, after accepting his appeal. The case has now been referred for retrial to a different branch of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan.

Mehrabi’s defense attorney, Babak Farsani, confirmed the development, stating: “Through the diligent efforts of our legal team and the support from the Supreme Court, the death sentence of my client, Mehrabi, initially convicted of ‘corruption on earth,’ has been annulled. His case has now been assigned for retrial to a parallel branch of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan.” In June, Farsani had noted that his appeal highlighted over ten major errors in the original verdict, each providing substantial grounds for the Supreme Court to reconsider.

In May, Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan had sentenced Mehrabi to death for “corruption on earth,” citing “the extensive dissemination of false information” on his Instagram account as a primary offense.

Mehrabi was first arrested by security forces in Isfahan on February 1, 2023. He was released on bail from Dastgerd Prison on March 16, 2023, but was re-arrested at his home in Isfahan only hours after his release, and subsequently returned to the same prison.

In September 2023, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mobarakeh County indicted Mehrabi on several charges, including “corruption on earth through spreading false information, anti-regime propaganda on social media, inciting military and police forces to disobey orders and surrender online, inciting violence and unrest to disrupt security, and insulting the Supreme Leader and Ruhollah Khomeini on social media.”

In January 2024, Mehrabi faced additional charges, including “publishing criminal content in the media and insulting religious figures and sacred entities.”

Mahmood Mehrabi, 35, a resident of Isfahan, worked as an electrical engineer prior to his arrest.

Mohammadreza Faghihi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammadreza Faghihi, Tehran, Zahra Minooie

Mohammadreza Faghihi, a defense attorney, has been sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to five years in prison. Additionally, he has been sentenced to a two-year travel ban, a two-year prohibition from practicing law, and a two-year ban on membership in political parties and groups.

Zahra Minooie, Mr. Faghihi’s defense attorney, announced: “My client was sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on charges of ‘collusion and assembly with the intent to commit a crime against national security.’ As additional punishment, he has also been banned from leaving the country for two years, from practicing law, and from membership in political parties and groups for two years.”
The court session addressing the charges against this lawyer was held on September 11 of this year.

Previously, on October 12, 2022, Mohammadreza Faghihi was arrested by security forces, along with two other lawyers, during a protest by defense attorneys objecting to the “violation of protesters’ rights and Article 27 of the Constitution” in front of the Central Bar Association in Argentina Square, Tehran. He was eventually released on bail on October 25, 2022.

This attorney has a prior record of arrest and sentencing due to his professional activities.

Zhina Modares Gorji Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison on Appeals

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Kurdistan Province, Sanandaj, Zhina Modares Gorji

Zhina Modares Gorji, a resident of Sanandaj, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison by the Court of Appeals of Kurdistan Province, according to Kurdpa.

The report states that on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Branch 4 of the Kurdistan Provincial Court of Appeals issued the ruling, which was communicated to Ms. Modares Gorji’s lawyer. She was acquitted of the charge of “collaborating with a hostile government” but was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and 16 months for “forming an illegal group aimed at overthrowing the regime,” amounting to a total of 28 months in prison.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, regarding multiple offenses, the most severe punishment, which is 16 months of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

Earlier this year, in June, Ms. Modares Gorji was sentenced to 21 years of imprisonment and exile by the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj.

On April 10, 2023, she was arrested by intelligence officers and transferred to the Sanandaj Correctional Center. She was released on bail on July 3, 2023. A second court session to address her charges was held on September 13, 2023, and a third session took place on April 9, 2024.

It is worth noting that she had been arrested before, in late September 2022, and transferred to the Sanandaj Juvenile Correctional Center. She was temporarily released on bail on October 29 of that year.

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Mohammad Hossein Mohebizadeh Sentenced to Prison on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Joveyn County, Khorasan Razavi Province, Mohammad-Hossein Mohebizadeh

Mohammad-Hossein Mohebizadeh, a resident of Joveyn County in Khorasan Razavi Province, has been sentenced to 22 months and 17 days in prison.

The verdict was recently issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Joveyn County, presided over by Judge Mohammad Mohammadzadeh. Mohebizadeh was sentenced to 15 months and one day for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic” and an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” bringing his total sentence to 22 months and 17 days.

According to HRANA, an independent human rights news agency, Mohebizadeh had previously been sentenced to two years in prison by the 101st Branch of the Criminal Court of Joveyn County on May 7 of this year for “blasphemy.” This ruling was upheld by the Khorasan Razavi Provincial Appeals Court on July 24, 2024.

Mohebizadeh was arrested in April after being summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Joveyn County. He was transferred to Sabzevar prison but released after four days upon posting bail of 2 billion tomans.

This is not the first time Mohebizadeh has faced legal action due to his activities.

Two Prisoners Executed in Kerman Prison

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Executions, News
Kerman prison

According to Rokna, on October 3, 2024, two prisoners were executed in Kerman Prison.

The report states that last June, following several reports of assaults by unidentified individuals along the Haft-Bagh Road, three suspects were arrested and sentenced to death. After the death sentences of the first and second defendants were upheld by the Supreme Court, their executions were carried out yesterday in Kerman Prison.

The death sentence for the third defendant in this case is still under review by the Supreme Court.

In February of last year, the Second Branch of the Criminal Court of Kerman Province sentenced all three defendants to death for the charge of rape. The three men were accused of posing as officers, stopping vehicles of individuals and young couples, and using threats and kidnapping to commit assault, rape, and ultimately steal valuable items from their victims.

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 Ilam Prison

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Executions, News
Ilam, Nasrollah Mennati, Nima Moradi

On October 1, 2024, two prisoners convicted of murder in separate cases were executed in Ilam Prison.

Kurdpa identified the prisoners as Nima Moradi and Nasrollah Mennati, both residents of Ilam.

Moradi was arrested two years ago, while Mennati had been detained earlier, each in separate cases related to murder charges. Both were sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

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

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.

Prisoner Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Amirparsa Hasan-Zadeh, Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

The execution of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death for murder was carried out in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, on September 26, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The prisoner has been identified as “Amirparsa Hasan-Zadeh.”

According to an informed source, Mr. Hasan-Zadeh was arrested three years ago, at the age of 19, on charges of murder and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced the execution.

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.

Report on the Execution of 7 Prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Behnam Hossein Dastjerdi, Fazlollah Pournasiri, Ghezel Hesar prison, Hamzeh Shahbazi, HRANA, Karaj

At dawn on October 2, at least seven prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Among them, two had been convicted of drug-related offenses, three—one woman and two men—were convicted of murder, and two Afghan nationals had been sentenced to death for rape.

According to a previous report by HRANA, Hamzeh Shahbazi and Fazlollah Pournasiri were sentenced to death for drug-related charges, while the two Afghan nationals were convicted of rape. The other three prisoners, convicted of murder, had received death sentences from criminal courts. One of the male prisoners was identified as Behnam Hossein Dastjerdi.

Details of several of these cases, as reported by Hamshahri newspaper, are as follows:

The two Afghan nationals, whose names were not disclosed, were convicted of raping a woman in western Tehran in 2019. They were part of a joint case involving five other men. One of the defendants was acquitted, while the remaining six were sentenced to death. Four other prisoners in the same case are still awaiting execution.

Regarding the female prisoner executed for murdering her husband, reports indicate that eight years ago, she, along with one of her husband’s friends, strangled her husband and set his body on fire. Despite forgiveness from her child, other family members of the victim, including his mother, sister, and brother, insisted on her execution, which ultimately led to the carrying out of the sentence.

Hamshahri also detailed the case of another male prisoner executed for murder. In 2022, following a dispute over a cigarette pack bet, he and a friend fatally stabbed a man. After his arrest, he confessed to the crime and was sentenced to death. Efforts by him and his family to seek forgiveness from the victim’s family were unsuccessful, leading to his execution.

HRANA has confirmed that Behnam Hossein Dastjerdi, one of the executed prisoners, was the father of an 11-year-old child. He and three other prisoners were moved to solitary confinement on Monday, September 30, in preparation for their 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.