Category: News

Appeal Court Confirms Six-Year Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Hooshidar Zarei

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News, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Baha'i citizen, Hooshidar Zarei

The Court of Appeals of Fars province has upheld a six-year sentence against Baha’i Citizen Hooshidar Zarei. He has also been sentenced to a two-year travel ban, a fine, and other social restrictions.

Zarei has been found guilty of multiple charges including “propaganda against the regime” and “sectarian propaganda in favor of anti-regime groups.”

Zarei will serve five years of his sentence as per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Zarei was arrested on April 29, 2023, by security forces in Shiraz and was released after 22 days of detention on a 1.2 billion Tomans bail from Adelabad Prison. Zarei, who is approximately 43 years old, is a Judo Coach and a resident of Shiraz.

 

Baha’i Citizen Niusha Badiei Sabet Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Babol, HRANA, Niusha Badiei, Niusha Badiei Sabet

On August 15, 2023, security forces apprehended Niusha Badiei Sabet, a Baha’i citizen, in Babol, Mazandaran province, and subsequently transferred her to an undisclosed facility.

According to a source close to her family who spoke with HRANA, Mrs. Badiei Sabet had traveled from Tehran to Babol. On Tuesday evening, security forces detained her and transported her to an undisclosed location. Her family is yet to receive information about her current state.

Badiei Sabet has recently faced a new legal case opened by the Babol Public and Revolutionary Court, the source added.
Badiei Sabet, 38 years old, is a psychologist, translator, and resident of Tehran. Notably, this is not her first encounter with legal challenges.

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.

Shahab Dalili on Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Iran-US prisoner swap, Shahab Dalili

Shahab Dalili is now on the fourth day of a hunger strike within Evin Prison. He has been serving ten years sentence in prison since 2016 when he was arrested by security forces while leaving the country.

A family member of Dalili corroborating this information during a talk with HRANA, revealed, “Shahab Dalili initiated his hunger strike on Sunday night in response to his omission from the roster of prisoners set for release as stipulated by the recent Iran-US prisoner swap agreement.” His protest has brought about physiological effects such as reduced blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches.

Shahab Dalili and his family have made a specific appeal to the US government. They are urging the authorities to figure in the release of Dalili, who holds permanent residency in the United States, during the impending negotiations between the two nations.

Notably, in the wake of the recent prisoner swap accord, prisoners including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and two unidentified US nationals, have been relocated to house arrest within a hotel.

Shahab Dalili’s ordeal began in 2016 when he traveled to Iran to attend his father’s funeral. It was during his departure back to the US that he was apprehended by security personnel. Subsequently, he was sentenced to a decade in prison on charges of “collaborating with an adversarial nation.” Nonetheless, his name remains absent from the roster of beneficiaries within the current agreement.

Baha’i Couple’s Sentence Upheld by Court of Appeals

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Samieian, Baha'i citizen, Gilan province, HRANA, Rasht, Vesal Momtazi

The Gilan Province Court of Appeals has maintained the prison sentence for the Baha’i couple, Vesal Momtazi and Anisa Samieian.

Originally sentenced by the Rasht Revolutionary Court, Momtazi and Samieian received a combined term of nine years and six months. Mrs. Samieian’s sentence encompasses three years and six months for “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Sharia law,” in addition to seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Mr. Momtazi has received seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” along with one year and three months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and three years and six months for “insulting Sharia law.” He is also facing a fine of 38 million tomans. Both individuals are further subjected to social restrictions lasting a decade.

Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code dictates that each of them will serve three years and six months in prison.

According to an HRANA source close to the family, more than 50 individuals, including friends, colleagues, art students, and their parents, compiled an affidavit attesting to the couple’s adherence to the law. Regrettably, this affirmation was not permitted for presentation during the appellate court proceedings.

On November 4, 2022, security forces searched their residence, resulting in their apprehension. Following his arrest on December 6, 2022, Momtazi was granted bail. Samieian, who was pregnant at the time of her arrest, secured her release on bail after undergoing two interrogation sessions. It’s noteworthy that this Baha’i couple is responsible for the care of two young sons, aged five and about four 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.

 

Filmmaker Saeed Roustayi Receives Prison Sentence over “Leila’s Brothers”

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Freedom of Expression, News
iranian filmmaker, Leila's Brothers, Saeed Roustaee, Saeed Roustayi

Renowned filmmaker and screenwriter Saeed Roustayi has been handed a six-month prison sentence, along with supplementary penalties, by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as revealed by Didban Iran.

Approximately nine days of this prison term will be carried out, while the remainder has been suspended for a five-year period.

Roustayi’s conviction stems from charges of “propaganda against the regime,” linked to his creation of the movie “Leila’s Brothers”, which he showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition to the prison sentence, Roustayi has been subjected to various restrictions affecting his career as a director and producer, including limitations on engaging with fellow cinema professionals. Further, he has been directed to complete a 24-hour filmmaking course at IRIB University in Qom.

The 2022 drama film “Leila’s Brothers” garnered significant attention. It secured a spot in the competition for the Palme d’Or at the renowned 2022 Cannes Film Festival and notably clinched the International Federation of Film Critics prize.

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Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested Just One Day After Release

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Saqqez, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On Monday, August 14, journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested by security forces and promptly taken to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Her recent arrest comes after being granted bail and released from Evin Prison on August 13.

A reliable source close to Maroufian’s family, speaking to HRANA, has confirmed that she is now held at Qarchak Prison.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.
On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

 

Activist Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi Detained in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi

Mashhad, August 12 – Security forces took activist Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi into custody on Saturday, with his current whereabouts undisclosed.

According to a reliable course who spoke to HRANA, Mashhadi was arrested at his residence in Mashhad. The precise reasons behind his detainment, his present location, and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Shaki Mashhadi has a prior history of arrests linked to his activism. His last arrest dates back to December 2022 when he was apprehended by security forces in relation to the 2022 nationwide protests.

Two Inmates Executed in Bam Prison for Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
Bam prison, Hamed Jamshidi, HRANA

On August 13, the Bam Prison officials carried out the execution of two inmates found guilty of drug-related offenses.

HRANA has identified one of them as Hamed Jamshidi.

Despite the occurrence of these executions, no official statements from governmental sources or national media channels within the country have shed light on these incidents.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented a total of 457 cases involving the death penalty. Among these cases, approximately 43% were associated with drug-related convictions.

Baha’is Citizens Jamaloddin Khanjani and Maria Khanjani Arrested and Incarcerated at Evin Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'is citizens, Evin Prison, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Maria Khanjani, Yaran e Iran

On August 13, 2023, Baha’is citizens, Jamaloddin Khanjani and his daughter Maria Khanjani, were apprehended by security forces and subsequently taken to Evin Prison. Jamaloddin Khanjani had formerly served as a manager for a dissolved Baha’i group named “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” an organization that aimed to address the spiritual and social needs of the Baha’i community.

According to a source who communicated with HRANA, the security agents executed a search of their residence before transferring them to Evin Prison. The specific grounds for their detention, as well as the charges against them, remain undisclosed at this time.

It’s worth noting that Jamaloddin Khanjani has previously been subject to legal actions due to his involvement in peaceful activism.

HRANA’s annual report in 2022 has highlighted a concerning trend where about 65% 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.

Donya Hosseini Detained by Security Forces in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Donya Hosseini, Tehran

On August 12, 2023, Donya Hosseini, also known as Azad, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently transported to an undisclosed facility.

A reliable source within her family, speaking to HRANA, confirmed the involvement of security forces in her apprehension. Presently, the specific reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, and the exact location of her confinement remain undisclosed.

Hosseini, aged 34, was arrested for her activism during the nationwide protests in October-November 2022 and released from Evin Prison after a period of time.