Category: News

Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani Sentenced to Death After Retrial

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Mashhad, Mashhad Revolutionary Court, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie

In a recent development at the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, political prisoner Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani has been handed a death sentence. This verdict comes after the Supreme Court had initially overturned the previous death sentence and ordered a retrial at another branch court.

Breaking the news, Babak Paknia, Vafaie’s lawyer, disclosed that despite the Supreme Court’s argument against the death sentence, the court has once again sentenced him to death. The lawyer has vowed to appeal for a retrial within the moratorium period.

According to Paknia, Vafaie has been accused of “spreading corruption on earth” and “arson of property, including the Government Penitentiary Building.” Following this latest ruling, Vafaie was granted a heavy bail, which unfortunately he was unable to afford, leading to his continued detention.

The case has taken a series of twists and turns, with the Supreme Court eventually overturning the previous verdict, leading to the transfer of the case to another branch court.

Vafaie, a 26-year-old boxing coach, was arrested in March of 2020 by security forces in Mashhad city.

 

Amir-Hossein Moradi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Hossein Moradi, Evin Prison, Tehran

Amir-Hossein Moradi, a resident of Tehran, has been arrested by security forces and taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Moradi’s family, who shared the information with HRANA, he is currently detained in the public ward of Evin Prison. The specific reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

Previously, Moradi was arrested by security forces at his father’s residence in Tehran on May 8, 2023, and was later released on bond from Evin Prison on June 3, 2023.

It is important to note that Moradi has a history of arrests and incarceration due to his activism.

Two Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Rasht

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Samieian, Baha'i citizens, Lakan prison, Mojgan Samimi, Shiva Kashani-Nejad, Vesal Momtazi

Last Wednesday, July 19, Baha’i citizens Shiva Kashani-Nejad (Samieian) and Mojgan Samimi were separately arrested by security forces in Rasht, Gilan Province.

Reliable sources disclosed to HRANA that the Ministry of Intelligence was responsible for their arrests. Both were apprehended at their respective residences, with the agents conducting searches and confiscating some of their belongings.

While Samimi managed to call her family and inform them of her detention at Lakan Prison, Kashani-Nejad has not yet been granted the opportunity to contact her family, leaving her loved ones anxious about her whereabouts.

According to another source, Samimi is facing charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

In a related matter, Anisa Samieian, Kashani-Nejad’s daughter, and her husband Vesal Momtazi recently received a combined sentence of nine years and six months from the Rasht Revolutionary Court, further heightening concerns over the treatment of Baha’i citizens in the region.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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.

Meysam Shirini and Rasoul Asadzadeh Arrested in Urmia

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Freedom of Expression, News
Meysam Shirini, Rasoul Asadzadeh, Urmia prison

Meysam Shirini and Rasoul Asadzadeh were apprehended by security forces in Urmia and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source close to Shirini’s family, the Ministry of Intelligence agents conducted the arrest at his residence on the morning of Thursday, July 20. Personal belongings were seized during the arrest.

Shirini was later informed of his charges in an Urmia courthouse and subsequently jailed in Urmia Prison after securing bail of 200 million tomans. His charges are reportedly related to “acting against national security.”

On July 22, two days after Shirini’s arrest, Rasoul Asadzadeh went to the courthouse to provide the required bail, but he himself was detained by authorities. As of now, the charges against him and his location remain unknown, adding to the concerns surrounding these cases.

It is noteworthy that during the nationwide protests of 2022, on November 16, Shirini, 31, was previously arrested by security forces in Urmia. After spending 13 days in detention in the youth ward of Urmia Prison, he was released on bail. At that time, he faced charges of “acting against national security and participating in illegal gatherings.”

 

 

Journalist Ali Moslehi Arrested in Kashan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moslehi, Detained journalist, Kashan

On Thursday, July 20, security forces apprehended Ali Moslehi, a Kashan resident, and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to a credible source who spoke to HRANA, this journalist was taken into custody at his residence. A few hours later, security agents contacted his relatives to notify them about the arrest.

As of now, the reasons behind Moslehi’s arrest and the location of his detention remain shrouded in uncertainty.

It is essential to note that Moslehi has a history of previous arrests and convictions, raising concerns about his well-being and right to a fair legal process.

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Azerbaijani (Turk) Activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi Sentenced to Three Months in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ahar, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Saleh Mola-Abbasi, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

Ahar Criminal Court has handed down a three-month prison sentence to Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi.

The verdict was delivered by Judge Khadivi, who informed Mola-Abbasi’s lawyer, Asghar Mohammadi, that his client has been found guilty of “spreading falsehood to disturb public opinions.”

The arrest of Saleh Mola-Abbasi took place at his residence in Ahar on October 9, 2022, by security forces. After spending approximately one month in Tabriz Prison, he was released on bail with 1.2 billion tomans. On July 10, 2023, the court session was convened, leading to his sentencing.

It is pertinent to mention that Mola-Abbasi has a history of previous arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

Rapper Saman Seydi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days Amid Legal Uncertainty

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News, Prisoners
2022 nationwide protests, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi

Rapper Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, for over 300 days, with no clear indication of further legal proceedings.

Despite his requests, Seydi has not been permitted to have representation from a private lawyer. Judge Salavati has denied his lawyer access to the case documents, hindering his defense.

The arrest of Seydi took place on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests, following which he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on several charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion against national security,” and sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court of Iran later overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his legal case to another court branch for retrial.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Update on Fereshteh Nouri’s Condition in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Evin Prison, Fereshteh Nouri, Tehran, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

Fereshteh (Tahereh) Nouri, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison since July 3, 2023.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional year for “disturbing public order.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five-year imprisonment was mandated for the first count.

Nouri’s arrest occurred during the protests in Tehran on September 25, 2023, leading to her spending 23 days in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released on bail.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

Blogger Arrested in Gorgan for Allegedly Promoting Western Lifestyle

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Blogger, Gorgan, irgc

The IRGC Intelligence Public Relations has reported the arrest of a blogger in Gorgan province on charges of allegedly “promoting a Western lifestyle,” according to Basij News.

The arrest was carried out by judicial authorities, and the blogger’s Instagram page, which had amassed over 100 thousand followers, has been taken down.

As of now, the identity of the detained blogger, their location, and the specifics of the allegations remain undisclosed.

It’s important to note that imposing a certain lifestyle on citizens is a clear violation of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which grants everyone the right to life, liberty, and security of person. Furthermore, Article 12 of the same declaration upholds the right to privacy, protection from arbitrary interference with personal matters, family, home, or correspondence, as well as protection from attacks on one’s honor and reputation. Every individual has the right to seek legal protection against such interference and attacks.

 

 

Tehran Resident Leila Ziafar Arrested for Opposing Compulsory Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
compulsory hijab, Hijab, Leila Ziafar, Tehran

Leila Ziafar, a resident of Tehran, was taken into custody by security forces, her whereabouts undisclosed.

A video of Ziafar’s arrest at her residence was released by media sources affiliated with intelligence institutions. It is believed that she was arrested for voicing her opposition to compulsory hijab regulations on social media.

The location of her detention is still unknown.

The incident sheds light on the increasing legal actions taken by the Iranian regime to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on women in recent months. Concerns over the protection of individual rights and freedom of expression continue to mount as such cases emerge.