Category: News

Legal Action Initiated Against Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh, Father and Daughter

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Adinezadeh, Ali Adinezadeh, Bojnurd, Goldasteh Hosseini Jahanabad, Mahsa Amini, Marzieh Adinezadeh, Reza Adinezadeh, Shirvan

Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh, the father and sister of Abolfazl Adinezadeh, a teenager tragically killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022, now face legal repercussions. They have been accused of allegedly engaging in “propaganda against the regime.”

Today, on June 27, their lawyer Khosro Alikurdi revealed that the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court has officially registered a legal case against my clients, Ali and Marzieh Adinezadeh.

On June 16, 2023, just before Abolfazl Adinezadeh’s birthday, security forces apprehended these individuals, along with Abolfazl Adinezadeh’s mother, Goldasteh Hosseini Jahanabad, and uncle, Reza Adinezadeh. They were subsequently detained in prisons located in Shirvan and Bojnurd.

Four days later, Marzieh and her parents were granted release on bail.

During the 2022 nationwide protest in Mashhad, Abolfazl Adinezadeh tragically lost his life when he was allegedly shot by regime forces, reportedly sustaining 25 bullet wounds.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The protests in Iran were triggered by the arrest of Mahsa Amini by the Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her subsequent suspicious death on September 16. The demonstrations quickly spread across the country, with participants rallying against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. Thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested during the nationwide protests.

 

Mahmood Mehrabi Indicted for “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Mahmood Mehrabi

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Mobarakeh Public and Revolutionary Courthouse, Branch 1, has indicted Mahmood Mehrabi on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to Mehrabi’s lawyer, who spoke to HRANA, Mehrabi is currently detained in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. He was arrested for publishing online content that encouraged people to participate in protests. “So far, my colleagues and I have been denied the opportunity to represent my client,” his lawyer added.

On February 1, 2023, security forces arrested Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was initially released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested just a few hours later at his residence. A reliable source close to his family revealed that the reason for his re-arrest was a social media post he published.

 

Baha’i Citizen Hooshidar Zarei Sentenced to Six Years Imprisonment

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

The Shiraz Revolutionary Court has sentenced Baha’i citizen Hooshidar Zarei to six years in prison, along with additional penalties, including a two-year travel ban, a fine, and other social restrictions. If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Zarei will serve five years of his sentence under house arrest, monitored by an electronic tag.

Zarei received a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “sectarian propaganda in favor of anti-regime groups.” He will serve his sentence at his residence, with the limitation of movement within a one-kilometer radius from his house.

According to a reliable source close to Zarei’s family who spoke to HRANA, he has also been subjected to additional penalties, including social restrictions for five years, a ban on engaging in online social activities, a two-year travel ban, and a fine of 500 million Rial.

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.

 

Five Transgender Individuals Arrested and Coerced into Confession

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Freedom of Expression, LGBTQ+, News
Hamshahri, Iranian Transgender, Tehran, Trans Citizens, Transgender Individuals

In Tehran, five transgender citizens were arrested following a quarrel with a religious vigilante who targeted them for their attire. The footage of their coerced confession has recently been released by security-affiliated media.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Hamshahri, five transgender citizens were apprehended in the Afsariyeh district of Tehran.

The incident unfolded when a self-proclaimed religious enforcer took it upon themselves to interfere with these citizens, citing the religious duty of “enjoining good and forbidding wrong,” ultimately resulting in the arrest of these transgender individuals. Consequently, legal action has been taken against them.
The recently published video captures their forced confession, in which they express remorse for their behaviour and appearance. The identities of these individuals remain unknown at present.

Recognition of transgender identity in Iran is solely contingent upon undergoing state-supported sex reassignment surgery. Additionally, there are instances where homosexual individuals are coerced into undergoing such surgeries to alleviate legal and social pressures.

Baha’i Citizen Sara Sabet Rasekh Receives Eight-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Bahais, Blasphemy, Isfahan, Sara Sabet Rasekh

The Court of Appeals in Isfahan Province has handed down a verdict, sentencing Baha’i citizen Sara Sabet Rasekh to eight years in prison. Since February 7, 2023, Sabet has been serving her previous one-year sentence outside of prison with curfew tags.

The recent ruling states that Sabet will serve five years for charges of “blasphemy,” two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years in prison for the first charge.
Sabet was arrested in November-December 2021 by security forces at his residence and released on bail after about one month.

Sabet was originally arrested in November-December 2021 at her residence by security forces. She was later released on bail after approximately one month.

In March-April 2022, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court initially sentenced Sabet to two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran” and one year for “propaganda against the regime on the internet.” Subsequently, she received an additional one-year sentence for “insulting regime authorities and officials.” Currently, she is serving the latter sentence outside of prison under curfew, monitored by an electronic tag.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

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.

 

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Mohammad Moradi Arrested in Sari

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mohammad Moradi, Sari

Mohammad Moradi, a resident of Sari, was apprehended by security forces on June 25, 2023, and subsequently taken to a detention facility operated by the intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to a reliable source close to Moradi’s family, who spoke with HRANA, the arrest took place as IRGC intelligence agents intercepted Moradi while he was leaving his residence. He was detained in a detention facility in a nearby village.

“Moradi was arrested following publishing a post on social media,” the source added.
The exact grounds for Moradi’s arrest remain undisclosed at this time, and the allegation against him is yet to be revealed.

It is worth noting that Moradi had previously been arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022. Following a period of 30 days in custody, he was released after receiving amnesty in accordance with the “pardon and commutation” directive.

 

Farshid Jahantab Begins 10-Year Sentence in Behbahan Prison for Involvement in 2019 Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, Farshid Jahantab, the November 2019 protests

On June 20, 2023, Farshid Jahantab, aged 27, one of the individuals arrested during the November 2019 protests, was imprisoned in Behbahan Prison to start serving his ten-year sentence.

Jahantab was apprehended during the November 2019 protests. Subsequently, the Behbahan Criminal Court convicted him of “destruction and setting fire to banks and public properties,” resulting in a ten-year sentence. Additionally, he received an extra one-year in prison and 74 lashes for charges related to “disturbance of public order.” The appellate court upheld the verdict, confirming the ten-year sentence for the primary charge.

The November 2019 protests were triggered by a surge in fuel prices, leading to demonstrations in numerous cities across the country. Seyed Hossein Taghavi, the spokesperson for the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated that approximately 7,000 individuals were arrested during these protests. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that hundreds of people lost their lives as a result of the actions carried out by the security apparatus.

 

Dozen of People Arrested in Rask

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Freedom of Expression, News
Friday Prayer, Rask, Sistan and Baluchestan Province

On June 23, 2023, in Rask, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, dozens of individuals attending Friday Prayer were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, in Rask, about 50 people coming from nearby villages to attend Friday prayer and following march were arrested.

The identities of those detained remain unknown, and the reasons for their arrests, as well as the allegations involved, are currently shrouded in uncertainty.

Update on Maziar Seyednejad’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Evin Prison, irgc, Maziar Seyednejad, workers rights activist

Maziar Seyednejad, an advocate for workers’ rights, remains confined to Ward 6 of Evin Prison since the commencement of his sentence on May 21, 2023.

In January 2023, Maziar Seyednejad received a sentence from Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which included two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he has been prohibited from leaving the country, engaging in political and civil associations, and participating in online social activities for a duration of two years. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the two-year sentence for the aforementioned charge has been enforced.

However, it is worth noting that Seyednejad has publicly stated that, when considering his previous three-year sentence in Ahvaz, he expects to serve a total of five years.

Seyednejad’s arrest took place on June 7, 2021, when security forces apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. He was subsequently transferred to IRGC’s detention facility in Evin Prison, specifically Ward 2-A. On August 16, 2021, he was granted temporary release upon posting a 600-million-toman bail, pending the conclusion of his legal proceedings.

It is important to mention that Seyednejad has faced prior arrests and convictions due to his unwavering commitment to civil activism.

 

Teacher Union Activist Esmail Abdi Remains Detained for Months Despite Retrial Approval

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News
Esmaeil Abdi, Esmail Abdi, Evin Courthouse, Kachooie Prison, Karaj

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency – Esmail (Esmaeil) Abdi, a teacher union activist, continues to be held in Kachooie Prison, Karaj, for over seven months after his request for a retrial was granted.

Monireh Abdi, his wife, shared with HRANA that “Despite the Supreme Court’s approval for a retrial, judicial officials are refusing to grant him bail. Seven months have passed, and Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court has yet to review the case.”

“Abdi is currently confined in the military ward of Kachooie Prison. After repeated requests, the judicial authorities offered him a five-day furlough on a bail amount of one billion tomans. However, Abdi declined this leave, pointing out that since the Supreme Court overturned the verdict, he should be released on bail as per the law.”
Abdi’s retrial request was accepted by the Supreme Court on November 16, 2022.

On June 27, 2015, Abdi was arrested and interrogated for several hours at Evin Courthouse when he inquired about the reason for being prohibited from leaving the country. Following six months of detention, in March of the subsequent year, he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security,” with five years being enforceable.

Previously, Abdi had received a ten-year suspended sentence, intended to last for five years. However, during the last months of his five-year sentence, the court reactivated the suspended sentence by order.