Category: News

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeal

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Hasti Amiri, Iman Afshari, Zia Nabavi

The Tehran Court of Appeal upheld a one-year sentence against Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, students at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, with Judge Iman Afshari presiding, had handed down the one-year sentences to both students on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” This decision has now been confirmed by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. Consequently, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

 

Six Baha’i Citizens Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Ali Mazloum, Arsalan Yazdani, Baha'i citizen, Pedram Abhar, raj Shakoor, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, Samira Ebrahimi, Tehran

In a recent development, the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down substantial prison sentences to six Baha’i citizens, namely Samira Ebrahimi, Arsalan Yazdani, Pedram Abhar, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, and Iraj Shakoor, totaling 32 years and 10 months behind bars.

Presiding over Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Judge Ali Mazloum has pronounced six-year sentences for Yazdani, Abhar, Khozuei, and Shakoor, while Ebrahimi and Sefidi have been each sentenced to four years and five months.

The charges against these individuals are as follows:

  • Samira Ebrahimi: Membership in anti-regime groups, propaganda against the regime, and engaging in educational activities against Sharia law.
  • Arsalan Yazdani: Membership in anti-regime groups, propaganda against the regime, and engaging in educational activities against Sharia law.
  • Pedram Abhar: Membership in anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.
  • Saba Sefidi: Membership in anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.
  • Saeedeh Khozuei: Membership in anti-regime groups.
  • Iraj Shakoor: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion against the regime.

Should these verdicts withstand the appeals process, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will mandate the enforcement of a five-year prison term for Yazdani, Khozuei, Shakoor, and Abhar. Ebrahimi and Sefidi, on the other hand, would serve three years and five months in prison.

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.

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Four-Year, Nine-Month Prison Sentence

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Mobtakeran Machinery Company

Arak resident, Hamidreza Najafi, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison by both the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts of Arak.

The Revolutionary Court has levied a three-year, six-month sentence against Najafi for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” Additionally, the Criminal Court has imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”

Najafi, who was detained in September of this year, was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Previously, Najafi had faced fines for “spreading false information” as part of a separate legal case.

Aged 41, Najafi is an inventive entrepreneur and serves as the CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company.

Four Baha’i Women Sentenced to Imprisonment

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Azita Foroughi, Baha'i citizens, Hadi Mansouri, Mashhad, Nasim Sabeti, Rouya Ezabadi, Soheila Ahmadi

In a recent ruling, Nasim Sabeti, Azita Foroughi, Rouya Ezabadi, and Soheila Ahmadi, all members of the Baha’i faith, were handed down a prison sentence of three years and eight months.

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Hadi Mansouri, has sentenced each of these Baha’i residents of Mashhad to three years imprisonment for alleged “involvement with groups deemed a threat to national security” and an additional eight months for “disseminating propaganda against the government.”

Should the verdict stand after the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a three-year prison term will be enforced.

Legal proceedings against these individuals commenced in July of this year.

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.

Two Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Qezel Hesar Prison

On October 24, 2023, two inmates convicted of rape were executed in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison, located in Karaj.

The identity of these inmates, who are Afghan nationals, remains undisclosed at this time. HRANA is actively engaged in efforts to ascertain the identities of those subjected to the execution.

It’s worth noting that, as of the time of this report, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions.

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.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Baha’i Citizen Nooshin Mesbah Receives Prison Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Hadi Mansouri, Mashhad Revolutionary Court, Nooshin Mesbah

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of three years and eight months to Baha’i citizen Nooshin Mesbah.

According to the ruling issued by Judge Hadi Mansouri, Mesbah has been sentenced to three years for “membership in groups aiming to endanger national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial three-year prison term will be implemented. Notably, Mesbah had been released on bail totaling 5 billion tomans (approximately 100,000 dollars) in late August, following the conclusion of her interrogation process.

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.

 

Execution of Four Inmates in Shiraz and Isfahan

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, Ali Kheirbin, Asghar Jafari, Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Majid Mosaie, Shiraz

Four inmates convicted of drug offenses and murder were executed in Shiraz and Isfahan.

On October 23, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of three individuals at Adelabad prison in Shiraz. The victims were identified as Asghar Jafari (approximately 40 years old), Majid Mosaie (38 years old), and Ali Kheirbin (42 years old). Jafari had received the death penalty for drug-related offenses three years prior, while Mosaie and Kheirbin faced similar charges in the same legal case two years ago.

In a separate incident, an unnamed woman convicted of murder was executed at Dastgerd Prison on October 21. It was reported that she had been transferred from Dolatabad prison to Dastgerd for 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.

Ali Aghel Detained in Mashhad

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Aghel, HRANA, Vakilabad prison

On October 23, Ali Aghel was apprehended in Mashhad and subsequently incarcerated at Vakilabad prison after his appearance at the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court.

A reliable source with close ties to his family notified HRANA about Aghel’s detention, which occurred following a summons. This source disclosed that Aghel is now facing charges related to “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in anti-regime groups.”

Comedian Zeinab Mousavi Arrested on Allegations of Blasphemy

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Kuzcoo, Qom, Tehran, Zeinab Mousavi

Zeinab Mousavi, a well-known Iranian comedian and parody artist, has been arrested under orders from the Tehran prosecutor’s office, facing allegations of blasphemy in connection with a satirical video.

According to Dideban Iran, Mousavi is accused of committing blasphemy in her satirical videos that were shared on social media.

Mousavi is widely recognized for her portrayal of the parody character known as the Empress of Kuzcoo. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time she has faced legal issues, as she was previously arrested by security forces in Qom on October 12, 2022. She was subsequently released on bail the following month. During her detention, Mousavi spent 25 days in solitary confinement.

Arrest of 10 Baha’i Women in Isfahan Sparks Concern

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Arezoo Sobhanian, Bahareh Lotfi, HRANA, Isfahan, Mojgan Shah Rezaie, Neda Badakhsh, Neda Emadi, Negin Khademi, Parastoo Hakim, Shana Shoghifar, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh

On October 23, 2023, security forces in Isfahan arrested ten Baha’i women, raising concerns about their well-being. The detained individuals are identified as Neda Badakhsh, Arezoo Sobhanian, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, Mojgan Shah Rezaie, Parastoo Hakim, Yeganeh Agahi, Bahareh Lotfi, Shana Shoghifar, Negin Khademi, and Neda Emadi.

According to a Baha’i citizen who shared information with HRANA, Ministry of Intelligence agents conducted searches of the women’s residences and confiscated some of their belongings.

At present, the reasons for their arrest and the specific allegations against them remain undisclosed, raising questions and concerns about their situation.

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.