Category: News

Farshad Dastmardi Receives Three-Year Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Farshad Dastmardi, Judge Taheri, Yasuj

Farshad Dastmardi, one of the detainees during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to three years, seven months, and 16 days by the Criminal Court in Dehdasht.

Presiding over the case, Judge Taheri issued a three-year prison term for “disturbing public opinion and acting against national security” and seven months plus 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

Reportedly, this verdict was handed down without a formal trial, as shared by a source close to Taheri’s family.

Dastmardi was arrested by IRGC’s Intelligence agents in Dehdasht in August 2023 and later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility in Yasuj. He was released on bail on January 21, 2024.

During the 2022 nationwide protests, he was also arrested by security forces and released on bail of one and a half billion tomans, approximately 30,000 dollars. This previous arrest further adds to the series of judicial confrontations Dastmardi has faced over time.

Execution of Three Inmates in Shirvan and Sabzevar Prisons

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Executions, News
Hossein Ali Shakurian, Moslem Aliyari, Naser Mavedat, Sabzevar, Shirvan

In a recent development, three inmates were executed in Shirvan and Sabzevar Prisons for crimes related to murder and drug offenses.

On January 22, 2024, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of 37-year-old Hossein Ali Shakurian and 51-year-old Naser Mavedat at Sabzevar Prison. Both individuals had been convicted of drug offenses in separate legal cases three and five years ago, respectively.

Additionally, on January 21, Shirvan Prison carried out the execution of 40-year-old Moslem Aliyari, who had been convicted of murder. The circumstances surrounding these executions raise concerns and prompt discussions on the broader issues related to capital punishment.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of  746 individuals. Out of these, 6 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 597 were male and 20 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Journalist Parisa Salehi Receives One-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini, Parisa Salehi, University of Tehran, zanjan

Journalist Parisa Salehi has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. In addition to imprisonment, she faces exile, a travel ban, and restrictions on internet and social media usage.

Salehi disclosed that Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, issued the verdict, imposing a one-year prison term, a two-year ban on leaving the country, a mandatory two-year residence in Zanjan, and limitations on internet and social media usage for two years for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In September 2023, security forces conducted a comprehensive search of Salehi’s residence, leading to her subsequent summons to the Karaj courthouse. There, she was indicted and later released on bond.

Salehi is a journalist at Donya-e-Eqtesad Newspaper and a master’s student in economics at the University of Tehran.

Executions of Three Inmates for Drug Offenses and Murder in Shiraz Prisons

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Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, Fazel Shafiei, Morteza Nadimi, Pir-bano Prison, Shiraz

On January 24, 2024, three inmates were executed for drug offenses and murder in Adelabad and Pir-bano Prisons in Shiraz, according to Iran Human Rights Organization.

The executed individuals include Fazel Shafiei, 40, and Morteza Nadimi, 35, both identified as having been executed in Adelabad Prison. They were convicted of drug offenses four and two years ago, respectively. The third inmate, convicted of murder five years ago, was executed in Pir-Bano Prisons.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions. The absence of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of  746 individuals. Out of these, 6 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 597 were male and 20 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

 

Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Yousef Ahmadi

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Executions, News
Baghi, Baset Karimi, Kurdpa, Mohammad Feyzi, Mohammad Karimi, Sanandaj, Yousef Ahmadi, یوسف احمدی

Branch 39 of the Supreme Court in Iran has confirmed the death sentence for political prisoner Yousef Ahmadi, according to Kurdpa.

Currently incarcerated in Sanandaj Prison, Ahmadi was initially condemned for Baghi (armed rebellion) by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, presiding over by Judge Saeed, in September 2023.

In the same legal proceeding, co-defendants Mohammad Karimi, Baset Karimi, and Mohammad Feyzi were handed prison sentences of 25, 20, and 20 years, respectively. These individuals were first apprehended by security forces in April 2020 and later transferred to Sanandaj Prison after the completion of the interrogation process at a security detention facility.

One of Kurdpa’s sources revealed that collaboration with a Kurdish opposition party was cited during the trial as an example supporting this charge. However, specific details regarding their case and the actions underlying the charges remain undisclosed.

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Dual Execution in Hamedan Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

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Executions, News
Ahmad Haeri, Hamedan prison, HRANA, Kermanshah, Salman Salimi

On January 21, 2024, Hamedan Prison officials carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related offenses.

HRANA has identified the individuals as Salman Salimi from Kermanshah and Ahmad Haeri.

As of the current writing, there have been no reports on these executions from official sources or domestic media outlets within the country.

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 Inmate in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ahmad Asgarat, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Ghobadloo. Farhad Salimi

On January 23, 2024, Ghezel Hesar Prison officials carried out the execution of inmate Ahmad Asgarat, convicted of murder.

According to HRANA, Asgarat was implicated in the murder of a man, allegedly in collaboration with his wife, following an extramarital affair.

As of now, there have been no reports on this execution from official sources or domestic media outlets within the country.

It’s worth noting that on the same day, two other prisoners, Mohammad Ghobadloo and Farhad Salimi, were also executed.

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.

Two Individuals Detained by Security Forces in Oshnavieh

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News, Other
Kani Rash, Oshnavieh, Shahram Ebrahimi, Soran Bangini

On January 23, 2024, security forces reportedly apprehended Soran Bangini and Shahram Ebrahimi in Oshnavieh, taking them to an undisclosed facility, as reported by Kurdpa.

Both aged 20, Bangini and Ebrahimi hailed from Kani Rash village in Oshnavieh County. Despite family inquiries with IRGC’s intelligence offices in Oshnavieh, there has been no response. Allegedly, no arrest warrant was presented by the agents. The reasons for their arrests and the charges against them remain unknown at this time.

Sunni Prisoner Farhad Salimi Executed in Ghezel Hesar, Karaj

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Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Abdolrahim Tina, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mahabad, moharebeh

On January 23, 2024, Sunni Prisoner Farhad Salimi was executed in Ghezel Hesar, Karaj, following more than 13 years of incarceration.

In this legal case, three other Sunni defendants—Ghasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, and Davoud Abdollahi—were executed on November 5, November 29, 2023, and January 2, 2024, respectively.

A source close to Salimi’s family informed HRANA that they had not received any phone calls from him in the days leading up to the execution, and the family was not formally notified about the carrying out of the sentence.

The unnamed source, citing security concerns, expressed, “A psychological game was played with the Salimi family; no official took responsibility to inform them about his whereabouts, status, or any plans they had for him. The family was not even formally notified about the execution; we only learned about it through his fellow inmates. The family is actively seeking further inquiries and custody of the body.”

The roots of the case trace back to September 2008 when Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, was assassinated by unidentified individuals. In January-February 2010, Salimi and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection to the assassination.

During his detention, Salimi faced multiple charges, including enmity against God (Moharebeh), allegedly through sympathizing with Salafism—a charge he consistently refuted. After spending fourteen months in legal limbo, Salimi was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, where he remained until his relocation to Ghezel Hesar Prison in August of the current year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for him and six other defendants—Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Davoud Abdollahi, Khosro Besharat, Ghasem Abasteh, and Ayoub Karimi. This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for him and his co-defendants.

Taher Sarli Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gonbad-e Kavus, Taher Sarli

Taher Sarli was apprehended by security forces following his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Gonbad-e Kavus, subsequently being confined in the city’s prison.

A reliable source close to Sarli’s family has verified his arrest and imprisonment in the Gonbad-e Kavus prison. The source disclosed, “Sarli has previously faced multiple charges, including ‘disturbing public opinion’ and ‘acting against national security.'”

Furthermore, the source added, “The case was initiated with both the public prosecutor and Sarli as a private plaintiff.”