Category: News

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.

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Sunni Prisoner Hamzeh Darwish Attempts Suicide, Currently Hospitalized

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News, Prisoners
Hamza Darwish, Lakan prison, Rasht, sunni prisoner

On Thursday, August 10, Hamzeh Darwish, a Sunni prisoner incarcerated at Lakan Prison in Rasht, attempted suicide through a pill overdose. He is presently receiving medical care at a hospital in Rasht.

A relative of the detainee informed HRANA: “On Thursday, around 12:30, our family was notified by a call from Lakan Prison that Darwish had attempted suicide by ingesting 12 diazepam pills. This desperate act was a form of protest against the unjust 14-year exile sentence imposed on him. He has since been transferred to Razi Hospital in Rasht. Despite his critical health condition, he remains physically restrained with handcuffs and ankle cuffs.”

According to the same source, security personnel are impeding the family’s ability to enter the hospital and visit Darwish. “After frequent inquiries,” the source continued, “the family has learned that medical procedures were performed, including gastric lavage, and unfortunately, his level of consciousness has declined to a score of 3.”

The Rasht Revolutionary Court has recently handed a 14-year prison sentence in exile to Darvish. This decision was reached based on a verdict issued by presiding Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar on July 30. According to the judgment, Darvish has been sentenced to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” five years for “assisting in deliberate destruction to defy the regime,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and two years for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Due to the charge of “setting fire to a prison building,” he is to serve his sentence in exile in Ramhormoz, Khuzestan province. The period of his detention has been taken into account.

The verdict restricts visitation rights to only his family and relatives during his time in exile. The ruling stipulates that, upon expressing genuine remorse, he may be eligible for a pardon from the Supreme Leader after serving one year in exile.

The verdict is subject to appeal at the Supreme Court of Iran within 20 days of its issuance.

Darvish’s journey through adversity began in 2014 when he was deceived by ISIS forces into traveling to Turkey and later to Syria, as he claims. Following a period of confinement in an ISIS jail, he managed to escape and returned to Iran, where he surrendered himself to security forces.

After spending a year in detention, he was initially released on bail. However, he was subsequently rearrested and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. On May 11, 2020, he was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison to Lakan Prison, where he continues to serve his ongoing sentence.

Wrestling Coach and Referee Masoumeh Soleimani Receives One-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Khorramabad, Masoumeh Soleimani, Mostafa Sohrabi

Khorramabad Criminal Court has handed down a one-year prison sentence to Masoumeh Soleimani, a wrestling coach and referee, according to a report from Kolbar News.

Presiding judge Mostafa Sohrabi found Soleimani guilty of “inciting violence through the Internet.”

The presiding judge, Mostafa Sohrabi, found Soleimani guilty of “inciting violence through online platforms.”

Soleimani’s arrest occurred on May 10, 2023, in Khorramabad by security forces. After spending four days in detention at an IRGC facility, she was subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Soleimani has a history of arrests linked to her activist involvement.

 

Three Inmates Executed in Central Prison of Karaj; Three Others Face Imminent Execution

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Executions, News
Amir Jahangiri, Central Prison of Karaj, drug-related executions

On August 9, 2023, the Central Prison of Karaj carried out the execution of three inmates who had been convicted of drug-related offenses. Simultaneously, three other death-row inmates were transferred to solitary confinement, heightening concerns about their imminent execution.

The executed prisoners have been identified by HRANA as Amir Jahangiri, Mohsen, and Sajad (last names unknown). They had been moved to solitary confinement six days prior to their execution.

HRANA is actively engaged in gathering further information regarding this incident.

These executions bring renewed attention to the ongoing discussions surrounding the criminal justice system’s approach to drug-related crimes. In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded 457 reports concerning the death penalty. Approximately 43% of these executions were linked to drug-related charges.

 

Sahand Nour-Mohammadzadeh Commences Exile Sentence in Kahnuj Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ja'far Nour-Mohammadzadeh, Kahnuj, Kerman, Sahand Nour-Mohammadzadeh

Sahand Nour-Mohammadzadeh, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, was dispatched to Kahnuj in Kerman province on August 9th to initiate his prison term.

Initially condemned by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, he was sentenced to six years in prison, accompanied by a ten-year exile in Kahnuj. This ruling gained affirmation from the Supreme Court.

The father of the detainee, Ja’far Nour-Mohammadzadeh, revealed that his son was relocated to Kahnuj Prison on Wednesday, commencing the enforcement of his decade-long exile.

Hamed Ahmadi, Nour-Mohammadzadeh’s lawyer, recently confirmed that he has formally petitioned for a retrial, submitting the request to the Supreme Court. Ahmadi further highlighted that Nour-Mohammadzadeh has been burdened with charges exceeding five million tomans to cover travel expenses.

Nour-Mohammadzadeh was initially sentenced to death, but the Supreme Court overturned this decision and sent the case to Branch 26 for review. Subsequently, he was re-sentenced to a decade of exile for charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” five years of imprisonment for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional year behind bars for “disturbing public order.”

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Woman Arrested in Sabzevar After Confrontation Over Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
irgc, Sabzevar, Shakiba Yazdani

Shakiba Yazdani, a 35-year-old resident of Sabzevar, was apprehended and subsequently incarcerated on Monday evening, August 7, following a dispute with a religious vigilante who confronted her about her hijab.

According to a source connected to the citizen’s family, the incident unfolded when an individual, invoking the religious duty of ‘enjoining good’, confronted Yazdani regarding her attire. Both parties attempted to record the encounter. Subsequently, after a span of two weeks, a group of ten intelligence agents affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accompanied by the previously mentioned individual, who was a retired IRGC member, detained Yazdani and transferred her to the Sabzevar security police detention center.

The source also revealed that despite being hospitalized for a heart condition, Yazdani was not granted sufficient medical attention, as security personnel hindered her from receiving necessary care and subsequently returned her to the detention facility. On Tuesday, she was transferred to Sabzevar Prison.

As of now, the specific charges against Yazdani remain undisclosed.