Category: News

Inmate Executed in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison

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Executions, News
Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, Mehdi Bakhshandeh

On November 15, 2023, Mehdi Bakhshandeh, an inmate convicted of assisting in the killing of Border Guard Captain Nabiallah Khatiri three years ago, was executed in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison.

As of the time of writing, no official statements from government sources or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country have been made regarding this execution.

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.

 

Three Political Defendants Sentenced to Over 61 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, irgc, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a combined sentence of 61 years and 10 months to political defendants Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, Mahboobeh Rezaie, and Samaneh Nowruz Moradi.

Presided over by Judge Amoozad, the court communicated the following verdicts:

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” three years with property confiscation for “illegal acquisition of property,” and one year and seven months for “defying government officers on duty.”

Mahboobeh Rezaie: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” seven years and nine months for blasphemy, and one year and seven months for “removing hijab and showing the act of depravity on the Internet.”

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year and three months for “propaganda against the regime.”

As additional penalties, they have been sentenced to two years of compulsory residence in Tehran and a two-year prohibition from participating in political/civil groups and engaging in activities on social media.

The court session addressing their charges took place on November 4, 2023.

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini was arrested at his residence on May 1, 2023, and initially detained at Detention Facility A-1 under the IRGC’s jurisdiction, later moved to Evin Prison, and ultimately relocated to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi was arrested at her Tehran residence on April 24, 2023, and incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Mahboobeh Rezaie was arrested by security forces on May 22, 2023, and detained in Evin Prison after a period.

These individuals, known for their activism, had previously faced arrests and imprisonment.

 

Asrin Mohammadi Arrested in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asrin Mohammadi, Bukan, Milad Mohammadi, Shahriar Mohammadi

On November 15, Asrin Mohammadi was apprehended by security forces in Bukan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location. Notably, her brother Shahriar Mohammadi was killed by regime forces during nationwide protests just last year.

Milad Mohammadi, Asrin’s brother, took to social media to disclose that 17 security agents arrested his sister at a printing shop in Bukan. He reported that Asrin endured physical abuse and injuries inflicted by special police forces during the arrest.

The grounds for Mohammadi’s arrest, the charges against her, and her current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

It is worth noting that Shahriar Mohammadi, aged approximately 30, met a tragic end when he was fatally shot during the protests on November 18, 2022.

Nine Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Bagher Mohammadi, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Nazir Mohammad, Qezel Hesar Prison

On November 15, 2023, authorities at Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison carried out the execution of nine individuals on death row. HRANA has identified two of the executed as Nazir Mohammad, an Afghan national, and Bagher Mohammadi, both convicted of drug offenses.

Additionally, two other inmates faced execution for “enmity against God (Moharebeh) via armed robbery,” while the remaining five were convicted of murder.

The relocation of these individuals to solitary confinement was reported by HRANA one day prior to the executions.

As of the time of writing, no official statements from government sources or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country have been made regarding 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.

 

Execution of Woman for Drug Offenses in Kerman Prison

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Executions, News
Kerman, Shiraz, Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, زرخاتون مزارزهی

On November 15, 2023, a female inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed at Kerman Prison.

The executed inmate is identified as Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, approximately 46 years old, from Saravan, married, and a mother of one child. Mazar-Zahi was apprehended six years ago at a police checkpoint in Kerman Province on suspicion of drug smuggling while en route to Shiraz.
On March 15, 2022, the Kerman Revolutionary Court handed down a death sentence, a verdict subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court. As of the current writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

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.

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Hamidreza Najafi Receives Eight Months in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Markazi Province, Mobtakeran Machinery Company, حمیدرضا نجفی

The Court of Appeal of Markazi Province has sentenced Hamidreza (Hamid-Reza) Najafi, a resident of Arak, to eight months in prison.

Najafi was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime” but was acquitted of the charge of “inciting people to commit acts of violence.”
Initially, the Arak Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to three years and six months for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” In addition, the Criminal Court imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”
Najafi, a 41-year-old innovative entrepreneur and CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company, was detained in September of this year. He was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Two Individuals Detained in Zahedan

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News, Other
Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh, Zahedan

On Monday, November 13, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh and Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh were taken into custody by security forces in Zahedan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Haal Vsh.

Mesbah, 20 years old, and Abdolmatin, 21 years old, were reportedly apprehended on the street in Zahedan. The grounds for their detention, their current location, and the specific allegations against them remain unknown as of now.

Baha’i Citizen Masoud Mahmoudi Detained in Shirvan

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News, Religious Minorities
Bojnurd, Masoud Mahmoudi, Shirvan, مسعود محمودی

Yesterday, on November 13, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Masoud Mahmoudi in Shirvan, North Khorasan province. He has been transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to Mahmoudi’s family, six intelligence agents from Bojnurd searched his residence in Shirvan before apprehending him, confiscating some of his belongings in the process.

The source also revealed that Mahmoudi suffers from a skin disease that requires medication and medical treatment, heightening concerns about his well-being among family members. The reasons for Mahmoudi’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unknown. The incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by Baha’i citizens in the region.

Zahra Saeedianjoo Detained in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Milad Saeedianjoo, Sepidar Prison, Tehran, Zahra Saeedianjoo

Zahra Saeedianjoo was arrested in Izeh by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a source close to her family. The arrest occurred on Monday evening, coinciding with the approaching first anniversary of her brother Milad Saeedianjoo’s death, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

The specific allegations against Zahra Saeedianjoo remain unknown at this time. It’s worth noting that she had been previously arrested in Tehran on July 9, and subsequently released on bail from Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz after a month in detention.

Milad Saeedianjoo, aged 26, tragically lost his life on November 16, 2022, when he was fatally shot by regime forces during the protests in Izeh. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a source of concern and scrutiny.

Confirmation of Death Sentence for Protester Milad Zohrehvand

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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.