Category: News

Three Baha’i Citizens Receive Prison Sentences and Social Sanctions in Sari

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News, Religious Minorities
Behrooz Rahmani, Saha Sabeti, Sanaz Alizadeh, Sari, Sari Revolutionary Court

The Sari Revolutionary Court has recently issued a 33-month prison sentence along with additional penalties to Baha’i citizen Saha Sabeti. Two other Baha’i individuals, Behrooz Rahmani and Sanaz Alizadeh Rooshankoohi, have also been fined and subjected to bans on educational and cultural activities.

As per the verdicts issued on November 28, 2023, Saha Sabeti has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for charges of”membership in groups acting against national security” and “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Islamic Sharia.” Additionally, she faces a fine and a 13-year prohibition from participating in educational and cultural pursuits.

Behrooz Rahmani has been fined and sentenced to a ten-year ban on educational and cultural activities for similar charges. Likewise, Alizadeh Rooshankoohi, found guilty of “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Islamic Sharia,” has received a parallel punishment to Behrooz Rahmani.

These individuals were indicted in August-September of this year and granted release on bail.
Saha Sabeti, who was arrested by security forces in Sari on July 31, 2022, spent 14 days in detention before being released on bail. In late July of this year, security forces conducted searches of the residences belonging to these citizens.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Sivan Ebrahimi Receives an Eleven-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kamyaran, Mohammad Karami, Nojin, Sanandaj, Sivan Ebrahimi

Sivan Ebrahimi, one of the individuals detained in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to eleven years in prison by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

According to the verdict issued by Judge Mohammad Karami on December 2, 2023, Ebrahimi was found guilty of “forming groups to act against national security,” resulting in a ten-year prison term if the decision is upheld on appeal. Additionally, he received a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime.”

In a separate facet of his legal case, the Sanandaj Criminal Court had previously imposed an additional one-year imprisonment in exile and 40 lashes.

Ebrahimi, a Kurdish language teacher and a member of the cultural association Nojin, faced his second arrest on January 18, 2023, in Kamyaran. Following this arrest, he was released on bail in February of the same year.

Four Inmates Executed in Birjand for Drug-Related Offenses

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Executions, News
Ahmad Shahoo-Zahi, Birjand, Hamid Sarani, Maziar Narooie, Mohammad Naeimi Far, South Khorasan province

On December 3, 2023, the Birjand Prison in South Khorasan province carried out the execution of four individuals convicted of drug-related crimes, as reported by Haal Vsh.

The executed prisoners were identified as Mohammad Naeimi Far (Brahui), 44 years old, Ahmad Shahoo-Zahi, 40 years old, Maziar Narooie (Narui), 31 years old, and Hamid Sarani, 27 years old.

The first three inmates had received death sentences three, four, and five years ago, respectively, while Sarani was sentenced to death 14 months ago by the Birjand Revolutionary Court.

Tragically, these individuals were denied the opportunity for a final visit with their families before the execution.

As of the current writing, there is no official confirmation or coverage of these executions from domestic media outlets or official sources within the country. The absence of verified information raises concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of the execution process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Manouchehr Fallah Receives 22-Month Prison Sentence for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kish Island, Lakan prison, Manouchehr Fallah, Mehdi Rasekhi, Rasht

Manouchehr Fallah has been sentenced to a term of 22 months and 17 days by the Rasht Revolutionary Court, following charges related to his political activities.

Presiding over the court, Judge Mehdi Rasekhi has imposed a one-year, three-month, one-day sentence for the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and a seven-month, sixteen-day sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Sources close to Fallah’s family have disclosed that additional charges are currently under review by the Rasht Criminal Court as part of another aspect of his legal case.

The arrest of Fallah traces back to July of this year when authorities apprehended him at Rasht airport, subsequently incarcerating him in Lakan Prison. In September, he commenced a hunger strike in protest against the uncertainty surrounding his legal status.

Before his arrest, Fallah, a professional tattoo artist, had been residing in Kish Island.

Baha’i Citizen Shohreh Salekian Sentenced to Three Years and Eight Months in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Hadi Mansouri, Mashhad, Shohreh Salekian

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has issued a three-year and eight-month prison sentence to Baha’i citizen Shohreh Salekian.

Presiding Judge Hadi Mansouri determined Salekian’s sentence, attributing three years for “membership in groups to disturb order and act against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

In the event of an appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code stipulates that, in cases involving multiple charges, the most severe penalty shall be applied. Consequently, if the verdict is contested, Salekian will serve a three-year term.

Legal proceedings against Salekian commenced in July of this year following her summons to Mashhad Courthouse.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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Kamran Rezaie Executed in Shiraz

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Executions, News
Aban protests, Adelabad Prison, HRANA, Kamran Rezaie, moharebeh, Shiraz

On November 30, 2023, Kamran Rezaie, 33, was executed in Adelabad Prison, located in Shiraz.

As per the Iran Human Rights Organization, Rezaie, apprehended during the 2019-2020 nationwide protests (Aban Protests), faced accusations of killing a Basij militia force member. The nature of the charges remains unclear, leaving uncertainty as to whether intentional murder was the sole accusation or if additional charges, such as “enmity against God” (Moharebeh), were involved.

Remarkably, over the past six years, neither media outlets nor human rights organizations have reported on Rezaie’s case. As of the latest update, HRANA has been unable to independently verify the details surrounding his case.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Five Citizens Receive a Combined 20 Years and Fine for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Kamran Rezaie, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, Parastoo Moeini, Tehran Revolutionary Court, Teymour Rezaeian, Zahra Safaie

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has recently sentenced Zahra Safaie, Parastoo Moeini, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, and Kamran Rezaiefar to five years, totaling twenty years in prison for political charges. Meanwhile, co-defendant Teymour (Timur) Rezaeian has been ordered to pay a fine.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari found these individuals guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The arrests occurred on September 12, 2023, with Rezaeian apprehended one day later. Initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Later, they were transferred to the IRGC’s detention center, known as A-1.

According to HRANA reports, Safaie is currently held in the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison, while her son, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, and Rezaiefar are in Ward 4 of the same prison. Two other defendants have been released on bail.

Notably, Rezaiefar has a history of arrests and convictions. In November 2021, he received a death sentence for “spreading corruption on earth,” which was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The current status of his legal case remains uncertain.

 

Sadegh Mahmood-Nejad Sentenced to Five Years and Six Months in Prison

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News, Other
Naqadeh, Piranshahr, Sadegh Mahmood-Nejad

Sadegh Mahmood-Nejad, a resident of Piranshahr, has been handed a five-year-and-six-month prison sentence by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Mahmood-Nejad was found guilty of “membership in an anti-regime political party and spreading propaganda against the regime.”

In another part of his legal case, the Criminal Court of Piranshahr has sentenced Mahmood-Nejad to pay a fine substituting a three-month prison term and 30 lashes.

The incident unfolded on July 3, 2023, when security forces arrested Mahmood-Nejad at his residence, subsequently detaining him in Naqadeh Prison. Following 12 days of incarceration, he was released on bail.

Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Faces Re-Arrest

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Babol, Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Toomaj Salehi

On November 30, 2023, protest rapper Toomaj Salehi experienced a renewed arrest in Babol by security forces, taken to an undisclosed location despite his recent release on bail from Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, on November 18.

The apprehension unfolded on a Babol street using violence by the agents, leaving the grounds for his arrest and his current location shrouded in uncertainty.

This influential protest rapper was granted bail on November 18 from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, after the Supreme Court overturned his verdict. According to Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court reviewed Salehi’s case, identified defects in the indictment, and subsequently annulled the previous verdict. Consequently, the case was returned to the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. “Salehi, benefiting from a general pardon, should have been released without the need for bail,” his lawyer asserted.

In July of this year, Salehi received a six-year and three-month sentence, along with a travel ban, a prohibition on music production, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills courses for two years.

In late October 2022, Salehi was detained by security forces during nationwide protests. Despite official media claims of his attempt to leave the country illegally, individuals close to Salehi contested this narrative.

It is noteworthy that the protest singer has a prior conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined, with the imprisonment suspended for one year.

Reza Aghdasi Sentenced to Four Years and Three Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iran Khodro, Karaj, Reza Aghdasi, Tehran

Reza (Gholamreza) Aghdasi has received a verdict of four years and three months for political charges from Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently jailed in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Iman Afshari delivered a three-year and seven-month sentence (including the detention period) to Aghdasi for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Following being fired from Iran Khodro, an Iranian automaker company, Aghdasi was arrested on October 24, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin Prison after being summoned to Evin Courthouse.

According to a source close to his family, Aghdasi, aged 57 and a resident of Karaj, is grappling with hearing impairment and other health issues. His residence was searched during the 2022 nationwide protests, resulting in the confiscation of some of his belongings.