Category: News

Political Prisoner Reza Arabpour Detained for Over 21 Months Without Verdict

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, HRANA, Izeh, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Rasoul Bodaghi, Reza Arabpour, Sadegh Ghasemi, Sheiban Prison, Vahid Abbasi, رضا عرب پور

Reza Arabpour, a political defendant arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Izeh, remains in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, over twenty-one months after his arrest, with no legal resolution in sight.

HRANA’s sources indicate that Mr. Arabpour has been in detention for over 600 days. Despite a court session being held in June of this year at Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, no verdict has been issued for him. Arabpour, hence, remains in a state of uncertainty in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.
Previously, Hossein Ali Hatami, the defense attorney for this political defendant, had told HRANA that Arabpour, along with Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari, are involved in a joint case, and a court session was held to address charges including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), corruption on earth (Efsad-e-Fil-Arz), and forming a rebel group.”

In November 2022, Reza Arabpour, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, Sadegh Ghasemi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari were arrested by IRGC intelligence officers. After completing the interrogation process, they were transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

A few months later, the indictment of these individuals on the mentioned charges was referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.
Among these citizens, so far, Bahman Bahmani, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Vahid Abbasi, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, Behrooz Salahshoor, and Rasoul Bodaghi have been released from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, on bail.

Two Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
Abbas A'laei Aqblagh, Ali Azmoon, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

On Sunday, August 18, two prisoners, convicted of drug-related charges, were executed in Tabriz Prison, as reported by Iran Human Rights Organization.

The identities of these prisoners have been reported as Abbas A’laei Aqblagh, from the village of Aqblagh in Meshgin Shahr, and Ali Azmoon.

According to a source, A’laei Aqblagh was arrested approximately four years ago, and Ali Azmoon was arrested about two years ago on drug-related charges and were sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

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.

Mehdi Moghadari Sentenced to Prison and Other Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Mehdi Moghadari, مهدی مقدری

Mehdi Moghadari, a former member of the Isfahan City Council, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan to one year in prison, two years of a travel ban, and other penalties, as reported by Emtedad News Outlet.

According to the report, Mr. Moghadari was sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” As part of the supplementary punishment, he has also been sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country, a ban on engaging in online activities, and a two-year prohibition from participating in groups, associations, and political parties.

Mehdi Moghadari was arrested by security forces in Isfahan in late November of 2022 and was released from Dastgerd Prison in February of the same year. He has a prior history of arrests and convictions.

Ramin Haeri Sentenced to Sixteen Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Javad Haeri, Mashhad, Ramin Haeri, Vakilabad prison

Ramin Haeri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to sixteen months in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in this city.

Based on a recent verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and communicated to this political prisoner in prison, Mr. Haeri was sentenced to sixteen months in prison on charges including “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.”

A source close to the political prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, adding, “Mr. Haeri is also facing another case on the charge of insulting the Supreme Leader, for which no court hearing has yet been held.”

Haeri was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Mashhad on February 27, 2024, and was taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city.

He was eventually transferred to Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, on March 28, 2024. He is currently being held in Ward 104 of this prison, alongside violent crime offenders, without regard for the principle of separating different types of crimes.

Two Prisoners Executed in Zanjan Prison

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Executions, News
Mazaher Eyvazi, Mehdi Piri, Shirvan, Zanjan Prison

At dawn on Monday, August 19, two death-row prisoners, sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were executed in Zanjan Prison, as reported by Iran Human Rights Organization.

The prisoners have been identified as “Mehdi Piri, 31 years old, from Shirvan, and Mazaher Eyvazi, 35 years old, and the father of one child.”

According to the report, Mr. Piri was arrested about two years ago on charges related to drug offenses, and Mr. Ayouzi was arrested about three years ago on murder charges. Both were subsequently sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these two prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant officials.
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.

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Two Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Esmaiel Jawadi, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Mohammad Karami-Zadeh

On August 19, the execution of two prisoners, convicted of separate murder charges, was carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

HRANA has identified the two prisoners as Mohammad Karami-Zadeh and Esmaiel Jawadi. According to HRANA’s information, Karami-Zadeh was initially sentenced to death on drug-related charges, but his death sentence was overturned under Article 45. Subsequently, during a “conjugal visit” in prison, he murdered his wife, for which he was ultimately sentenced to death again on murder charges.

Esmail Jawadi, the other executed prisoner, had been sentenced to death for the murder of his friend, allegedly motivated by issues of honor.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant officials.

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.

Mokhtar Asadi Arrested by Security Forces in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Mokhtar Asadi, Sanandaj, مختار اسدی

Yesterday, August 19, Mokhtar Asadi, a teachers’ union activist residing in Sanandaj, was arrested after reporting to the Cyber Police and was transferred to an undisclosed location.

The day before his arrest, security forces searched Mr. Asadi’s home while he was not present.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

This teachers’ union activist had previously been summoned and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj on May 1.

Asadi has a history of arrests and judicial confrontations due to his union activities.

Eight Prisoners Executed in Yazd and Adelabad Prisons

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Executions, News
Abdolraouf Shah-Bakhsh, Adelabad Prison, Ali Salimi, bdolrahman Damani, Heydar Arab, Yazd Prison, Yousef Kazemzadeh

Eight prisoners, previously sentenced to death for murder and drug-related charges, were executed  in Yazd and Adelabad prisons in Shiraz.

Haal Vsh reported that on Monday, August 19, 2024, five prisoners were executed in Yazd Prison. The identities of two of these prisoners, who were sentenced to death in a joint case for drug-related charges, have been reported as “Abdolrahman Damani (Gorgij), 34 years old, married, father of two, and Abdolraouf Shah-Bakhsh (Dahmardeh), 33 years old, married, father of two, both from Zahedan.”
According to the report, another prisoner was executed for drug-related charges, one Afghan national for murder, and one more prisoner for an unspecified charge.

A source familiar with the case stated: “Abdolrahman and Abdolraouf were arrested in a joint case in 2022 at the Khatam checkpoint in Yazd and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.”

Iran Human Rights Organization reporedted execution of three prisoners, previously convicted on drug-related and murder charges, win Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, on August 17.

The identities of these prisoners have been reported as “Heydar Arab, Yousef Kazemzadeh, and Ali Salimi.”

According to the report, “Salimi and Kazemzadeh were transferred from Pir-bano Prison in Shiraz to solitary confinement in Adelabad Prison for the execution. Salimi was arrested about two years ago on charges of transporting over 100 kilograms of heroin. Kazemzadeh was also arrested about four years ago on drug-related charges.”

The report adds: “Heydar Arab, the other executed prisoner, was arrested three years ago for committing murder during a street fight and was later sentenced to death by the judiciary.”

As of the time this report was prepared, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

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.

Saqqez: Abdollah Sharifzadeh Sentenced to Ten Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Sharifzadeh, Saqqez, عبدالله شریف زاده

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez has sentenced Abdollah Sharifzadeh, a resident of Saqqez, to ten months in prison on political charges, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Mr. Sharifzadeh was sentenced by Judge Javad Mostafaie of Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez for “propaganda against the regime in favor of an opposition political party.” The trial took place on March 12, 2024.

He was arrested in the winter of 2023 and later released on bail.

Sharifzadeh has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations.

Criminal Court Sentences Mashallah Karami to Over 8 Years in Prison and Other Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alborz province, Karaj, Mashallah Karami, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, Sharifzadeh Ardakani

Mashallah Karami, the father of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, an executed protester, has been sentenced by the Criminal Court of Nazarabad County, Alborz province, to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine, and the confiscation of his assets.

According to the ruling recently issued by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Branch 2 of Nazarabad County and conveyed to this citizen currently imprisoned in Karaj Central Prison, he was sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans (approximately 28000 dollars), and the confiscation of his assets on charges of “money laundering and acquiring illicit property.”

Earlier, in another part of his case, Mr. Karami was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security” and one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Ali Sharifzadeh, Karami’s attorney, previously stated that the security charges brought against his client are inconsistent with his actions. He added, “Mr. Karami only distributed free food, the funds for which were provided through public donations. This information was presented to the court but was not properly considered. Additionally, my client’s assets have no connection to the security charges against Mr. Karami.”

In March of 2024, Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Mr. Karami’s lawyer, stated that his client’s indictment included four charges: under Article 500 (propaganda against the regime) and Article 610 (assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security) in the Revolutionary Court of Karaj, as well as charges under Article 2 of the Aggravated Punishment Law (acquiring illicit property) and Article 9 of the Anti-Money Laundering Law in the Criminal Court Branch 2 of Nazarabad County.

Karami was arrested by security forces on August 22, 2023. At the time of his arrest, security forces confiscated all electronic devices and froze the family’s bank accounts.

On October 28th of 2023, Mr. Karami was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to the Central Prison of Karaj. After three months in solitary confinement, he was eventually moved to Ward 15 of this prison.

It should be noted that at dawn on Saturday, January 7, 2023, the death sentence of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, who had been arrested during the nationwide protests in the case known as the “killing of Basij member Rouhollah Ajamian,” was carried out.