Category: News

Confirmation of Death Sentence for Protester Milad Zohrehvand

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Ali Nazaei, Malayer, Milad Zohrehvand, میلاد زهره وند

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has reported the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the death sentence for Milad Zohrehvand, an individual arrested in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests.

Zohrehvand, approximately 20 years old, has been convicted of the killing of Ali Nazari, an IRGC intelligence officer in Malayer. In June of this year, Zohrehvand’s case was forwarded to the Supreme Court for confirmation.

In October-November 2022, IRGC officials released a statement stating that Nazari was killed during a chase. The statement identified nine suspects in Ali Nazari’s murder, with five already in custody and four others on the brink of being identified and apprehended.

Tehran Resident Shaghayegh Moradi Detained by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Bukhara, Shaghayegh Moradi, Tehran, شقایق مرادی

Shaghayegh Moradi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Sunday, November 12, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed facility.

A source with ties to her family shared the news of Moradi’s arrest, which reportedly took place at her residence in Tehran. The reasons behind her arrest and the specific allegations against her are currently undisclosed.

Moradi is known for her work with the art-cultural magazine Bukhara in Tehran.

Three Sunni Prisoners Executed in Zahedan

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Citizen executions, Edris Bilrani, Mohammad Brahui Anjomani, Mohammad-Karim Barakzai, Zahedan

The chief of Justice of Sistan and Baluchestan Province announced on November 13 the execution of three Sunni prisoners in Zahedan.

The individuals, Mohammad-Karim Barakzai Akson (28), Mohammad Brahui Anjomani (28), and Edris Bilrani (31), were convicted of “spreading corruption on earth” and engaging in what the Zahedan Revolutionary Court labeled as “terrorist acts.”

The chief justice disclosed that the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences after dismissing their appeals twice on grounds of “ineligibility.”

The trio had been detained by security forces in August-September 2020 on charges of being involved with anti-regime groups and were held in Zahedan Prison. After spending 18 months in detention, they were sentenced to 15 years for “membership in a rebellious group” and received the death penalty for “spreading corruption on earth through involvement in terrorist acts.”

According to the chief justice, the verdict implicated the individuals in various actions, including “destruction of public property, smuggling bomb-making equipment, and attempting to explode a police patrol vehicle, resulting in injuries to several police officers.”

Mahnaz Tarah Arrested in Tehran

Posted on by . .
News, Other
Evin Courthouse, Farzin Rezaie Roshan, Mahnaz Tarah, مهناز طراح

Security forces in Tehran detained Mahnaz Tarah on November 13, transferring her to Evin Courthouse. Reports indicate Tarah was violently apprehended in the streets, and her companion, Farzin Rezaie Roshan, was reportedly assaulted during the arrest.

The motive behind Tarah’s arrest remains unclear. Notably, the residence of Rezaie Roshan, a former political prisoner, was subjected to a search by agents in September.

Tarah, who has previously encountered security and judicial challenges, was granted amnesty in February of this year, leading to her release from prison under a “general pardon and commutation” directive.

Baha’i Citizen Zabihi Moghadam Recevies Eight Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i resident, Mashhad, Sirus Zabihi Moghadam

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has handed down an eight-year prison sentence to Sirus Zabihi Moghadam, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad.

Zabihi Moghadam was convicted of seven years for “membership in anti-regime groups” and an additional year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code mandates the enforcement of the harshest punishment in cases involving multiple charges, resulting in a seven-year prison term for Moghadam.

Arrested in September 2022, Zabihi Moghadam was released on bail after two months.

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.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Political Activist Abdollah Momeni Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Momeni, Evin Prison, Judge Mazloum, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court, عبدالله مومنی

Modara reports that the Tehran Revolutionary Court has imposed a one-year prison term on political activist Abdollah Momeni.

Presided over by Judge Mazloum from Branch 29, the court convicted Momeni of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” ordering the seizure of his cell phone and other electronic devices.

During the trial, a speech delivered by Momeni at a conference on political issues was presented as evidence for the aforementioned charge.

Intelligence agents arrested Momeni at his residence in Tehran on April 27, 2023, taking him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence. After three days, he was released on bail.

Momeni, a prominent former student activist and former spokesperson for the Alumni Association of Iran (Advar-e Tahkim Vahdat) organization two decades ago, had previously served a five-year sentence and was released from Evin Prison in March 2014.

Actress Mojgan Khaleghi Taken Into Custody in Isfahan

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Isfahan, Mojgan Khaleghi, مژگان خالقی

Mojgan Khaleghi, a movie and theater actress, was apprehended in Isfahan on November 11, according to Shargh Newspaper. The incident unfolded at the Isfahan Courthouse.

The 39-year-old actress had visited the courthouse to reclaim her confiscated belongings. As of now, the grounds for her arrest remain undisclosed, and information regarding her current detention site remains elusive.

Ali Akvani and Ebrahim Armish Detained Following Memorial Event in Izeh

Posted on by . .
News
Ali Akvani, Ebrahim Armish, Izeh, Kian Pirfalak, Milad Saeedianjoo

On November 9, 2023, security forces arrested Ali Akvani and Ebrahim Armish in Izeh after they participated in the annual memorial for Kian Pirfalak and Milad Saeedianjoo.

As of now, the location of Akvani and Armish’s detention and the specific allegations against them remain unknown.

The 2022 protests in Izeh on November 16 resulted in the regrettable loss of at least seven lives, including Kian Pirfalak, who was fatally shot by regime forces. His father’s testimony indicates that security forces opened fire at their vehicle, leading to the devastating loss of his son.

On the same day, Milad Saeedianjoo, aged 26, was also shot dead by regime forces amid nationwide protests in Izeh. The circumstances surrounding the arrests and the ongoing developments in this situation are yet to be clarified.

Four Yarsan Followers Detained in Kermanshah Province

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Amin Abbasi, Kermanshah, Kheirollah Haghjooyan, Noshad Taheri, Pakzad Taheri, Sarpol-e Zahab, Yarsan Followers, Yarsanism

Today, on November 10, security forces arrested four followers of Yarsanism—Seyed-Amin Abbasi, Kheirollah Haghjooyan, Pakzad Taheri, and Noshad Taheri. The location of their detention remains undisclosed.

Sources indicate that these individuals were apprehended at a police checkpoint on the road connecting Sarpol-e Zahab to Kermanshah. The reasons behind their arrests, their current whereabouts, and the allegations against them remain unknown.

It’s worth noting that Abbasi, Noshad Taheri, and Haghjooyan have a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and prosecution by the regime’s security and judicial systems. The community’s rights and freedoms have been a subject of concern, reflecting broader challenges faced by religious minorities in the region.

Execution of Three Inmates in Kashan and Tabriz

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Kashan, Khodadad Rahimi, Saber Alikhani, Tabriz

On November 8, officials at Kashan Prison carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The individuals executed have been identified as Khodadad Rahimi, 40, and Saber Alikhani, 31. Rahimi and Alikhani received their death sentences three and two years ago, respectively.

Additionally, Rokna reported the recent execution of an inmate for murder in Tabriz Prison last week. The report did not disclose the identity of the individual. In July-August 2019, he committed murder by fatally stabbing someone during a group brawl.

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.