Category: News

Four Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

Yesterday, September 30, four prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, who had previously been sentenced to death for drug-related offenses and murder, was carried out in preparation for the implementation of their sentences. HRANA is currently investigating further details, including the identities of these prisoners.

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.

Abolfazl Ghadiani Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Ghadiani, Tehran, ابوالفضل قدیانی

Today, September 30, political activist Abolfazl Ghadiani was arrested by security forces in Tehran and transferred to an undisclosed location.

His son announced that the arrest took place around noon at Mr. Ghadiani’s residence by security forces. As of the time of this report, no information has been provided regarding the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

In July 2023, Mr. Ghadiani was sentenced to 10 months in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and had been summoned to Branch 1 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office to serve this sentence.

Additionally, he has faced charges of “spreading falsehoods on the Internet” in another case at Branch 1025 of the Criminal Court of the Tehran Government Employees Judicial Complex.

Ghadiani has a history of previous arrests and convictions due to his political activities.

Teenager Dies Nine Days After Being Shot by Military Forces in Hirmand

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Children, News, Other
Hirmand, Mohammad Sasuli

On September 29, 2024, 16-year-old Mohammad Sasuli succumbed to his injuries after being shot by military forces in the border areas of Hirmand County. He had endured nine days of critical condition before passing away.

According to Haal Vsh, Mohammad Sasuli was fatally wounded by indiscriminate gunfire from Border Guard officers. The shooting occurred on Saturday, September 21, when military forces opened fire without issuing a warning or command to stop. Mohammad sustained severe heart injuries and was placed in a coma in the ICU at Amir al-Momenin Hospital in Zabol, where he fought for his life for over a week.

Data collected by the Department of Statistics and Publication of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) shows that in 2023, 540 citizens were shot at by military forces, resulting in the deaths of 129 individuals. Among the deceased were 29 porters (kolbars), 29 fuel carriers (sukhtbars), and 71 other civilians. Additionally, 411 citizens were injured by indiscriminate shootings, including 353 kolbars, 33 ordinary citizens, and 25 sukhtbars.

Mahboob Habibi, a Baha’i Citizen from Shiraz, Arrested and Charged

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Mahboob Habibi, Negar Misaghian, Shiraz, محبوب حبیبی, نگار میثاقیان

On Saturday, September 28, Mahboob Habibi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city, known as House No 100.

A source close to Habibi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “Mahboob Habibi was arrested in the presence of his two-year-old child by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Shiraz.”

The following day, on Sunday, September 29, Habibi was formally charged during an interrogation at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office with accusations including “propaganda against the regime.”

Mahboob Habibi and his wife, Negar Misaghian, have previously been arrested and faced legal action due to their religious beliefs and activities.

Two Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Sentenced to Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Rasht, Vadood Asadi, Yashar Nikroo

Azerbaijani-Turk activists, Vadood Asadi and Yashar Nikroo, have been sentenced to a total of six years and six months in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, Mr. Asadi received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” three years and six months for “membership in anti-regime groups,” and one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” Mr. Nikroo was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

In February 2024, Mr. Asadi was violently arrested by security forces in Rasht and transferred to Evin Prison later that month. He was released a few days afterward upon posting bail.

Yashar Nikroo Ahmad Gourabi, another Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Rasht, had previously faced formal charges at the Rasht Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

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Three Members of Pakhshan Azizi’s Family Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aziz Azizi, Hossein Abbasi, Pakhshan Azizi, Parshang Azizi

The prison sentences of Aziz Azizi, Parshang Azizi, and Hossein Abbasi, relatives of political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi, who faces a death sentence, have been upheld by the Tehran Court of Appeals. All three had previously been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

In early August 2024, Aziz Azizi (Pakhshan’s father), Parshang Azizi (her sister), and Hossein Abbasi (her brother-in-law) were convicted in a joint case with Pakhshan Azizi. Each was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year in prison for the charge of “assisting a criminal to evade trial and conviction.” On September 26, the Court of Appeals confirmed these rulings.

According to HRANA, a request for a final appeal has been submitted to the Supreme Court.

Aziz Azizi, Parshang Azizi, and Hossein Abbasi were arrested at the same time as Pakhshan Azizi and later released on bail.

Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. In July 2024, she was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “armed rebellion through membership in opposition groups.” Her trial, along with other defendants, was held on May 28, 2024.

Additionally, Ms. Azizi faces a new charge of “rioting in prison” in a case being handled by Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, allegedly related to the second round of the 2024 presidential election. She had also been arrested previously, on November 16, 2009, and was released on bail after four months.

Mohammad Rasoulpour Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Rasoulpour, Oshnavieh

Mohammad Rasoulpour, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of the city, as reported by Kurdpa.

Based on the ruling issued by the Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ali Ansari, and communicated to Mr. Rasoulpour, he was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of “membership and collaboration with an opposition group” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Mr. Rasoulpour was arrested by security forces on the night of Tuesday, July 2, 2023, without a judicial warrant, and was released from Oshnavieh Prison after 13 days on bail.

Mohammad Rasoulpour, a 52-year-old married father of three, is from the village of “Kohneh Qaleh,” a suburb of Oshnavieh.

Two Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj

At down September 25, the death sentences of two prisoners, previously convicted of murder in separate cases, were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, according ro Rokna.

One of these prisoners had committed murder during an altercation in November 2021. The other prisoner was convicted of killing a person on April 12, 2019, and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

According to the report, three other prisoners, who had been sentenced to death on charges of murder and rape, were also taken to the gallows. However, they were granted a temporary reprieve and returned to their ward.

The identities of the executed prisoners were not disclosed in this report.

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.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Fine

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammadi Rahbari, Varamin

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Rahbari, a 26-year-old citizen currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six years in prison and a substantial monetary fine by the court.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining, “Mr. Mohammadi was recently sentenced by the judiciary to six years in prison and fined 250 million tomans (approximately $4,200).” The source added that he was arrested last year due to his activities on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), ahead of the first anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests. One of the main charges brought against him includes “manufacturing explosives for use in protests.”

Mohammadi was violently arrested on September 15, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. After some time in Ward 209, he was moved to the general ward.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi is a resident of Varamin.

Brief Detention and Legal Case Filed Against Khosrow Azarbeyg for Street Music Performance

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Azarbeyg, Khosrow Azerbeig, Mellat Park, خسرو آذربیگ

Khosrow Azarbeyg, a musician and world-traveling cyclist, was briefly detained by security forces while performing street music in Tehran’s Mellat Park. Although he was released after a few hours, he now faces legal charges.

On Friday, September 20, Azarbeyg was arrested by plainclothes security officers and municipal agents while performing in Mellat Park, with his equipment confiscated. He was released shortly after but now faces ongoing legal proceedings.

In a video statement, Azarbeyg recounted that on Wednesday, September 25, he visited the police station at Mellat Park, where he was subjected to insults and threats. The senior officer demanded he sign a repentance letter. After Azarbeyg refused, the officer threatened to fabricate a separate case with false details to create further problems for him.

Azarbeyg had previously been arrested on January 10, 2024, for playing the daf (a Middle Eastern frame drum) at a Tehran metro station.

A dedicated cyclist, musician, traveler, documentary filmmaker, and child rights activist, Azarbeyg has journeyed through more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. His activism includes extensive support for underprivileged families in Sistan and Baluchestan, autistic children, and the families of child laborers.