Category: News

Update on Bahai Citizen Payam Vali’s Condition in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Payam Vali, Rajai Shahr Prison

Payam Vali, a Baha’i citizen, is currently serving a six-year sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj. He has been denied access to make a phone call to his family, as ordered by prison officials.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Vali’s phone card has been blocked. He is also prohibitd from purchasing any item from the prison store. The source revealed that this prohibition was imposed after Vali gave a message via phone addressing the speakers of the Iranian Parliament.

In addition, another source close to Vali’s family informed HRANA that since late May, he has only had one visitation with his family. Furthermore, other prisoners have been threatened to refrain from providing Vali with their phone cards.

On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Vali at his residence in Karaj, subsequently conducting a search of his house and detaining him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was later relocated to Ghezel Hesar prison.

On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals sentenced Vali to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the first charge carries an enforceable prison term of six years. It is worth noting that Vali had initially been sentenced in February 2023 to ten, five, and one-year terms for the respective charges mentioned above.

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

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.

Tragic Incident Leaves Four Sukhtbars Dead and Two Injured in Military Forces Shooting

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News, Other
Isfahan, Jandaq, Khur, Kolbar, RASANK, Saeed Kubdani, Senaallah Sargolzaie, Senaollah Sargolzaie, Sukhtbar

On June 13, 2023, a devastating incident unfolded in Isfahan Province as military forces opened fire on three vehicles, resulting in the loss of four lives and injuries to two individuals.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rasank News, the military forces targeted the vehicles along the road connecting Jandaq to Khur in Isfahan Province. Tragically, the vehicles were engulfed in flames, claiming the lives of four Sukhtbars (Cross-Border Fuel Carriers) and leaving two others injured, who were subsequently hospitalized.

The two injured Sukhtbars have been identified as Senaollah Sargolzaie and Saeed Kubdani, both residents of Zahedan and only 20 years old. The report does not provide information regarding the identities of the four individuals who lost their lives in this incident.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 845 people were shot by military forces. At least 571 of the victims lost their life. This includes 22 kolbars, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. 274 people were injured by military forces open fire, including 134 kolbars, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers.

 

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Abolhassani Brutally Assaulted by Prison Guards

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News, Prisoners
Choobindar Prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Abolhassani, Qazvin

On June 12, 2023, Mohammad Abolhassani, a civil rights activist, was subjected to a violent attack by prison guards at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin Province. The assault occurred after Abolhassani voiced his concerns about the deplorable conditions within the prison.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that Abolhassani was confronted by a prison officer, leading to a physical altercation involving the deputy head of the prison and two other guards. The incident resulted in Abolhassani losing consciousness, after which he was taken to the prison infirmary. He later regained consciousness.

Presently serving his sentence at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin, Abolhassani is housed among inmates convicted of violent crimes, contrary to prison regulations. Moreover, he has been subjected to limitations when making phone calls, including the mandatory presence of prison guards during these conversations.

In January 2021, Abolhassani while serving his sentence for a previous legal case, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison term, he was assigned four hours of penal labor per day for four months. This ruling was subsequently upheld on appeal.

On January 1, 2022, Abolhassani was transferred to Evin Prison to commence his sentence.
In October 2022, he found himself facing further legal actions, resulting in an additional four-year imprisonment term.
On February 6, 2023, he was violently relocated from Evin Prison to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

Four Inmates Executed in Hamedan and Karaj

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Executions, News
Hamed Yavari, Hamedan prison, Hossein Amani-Nejad, Karaj, Masoud Sasani, Saeed Nasiri

On June 11, 2023, authorities in Hamedan Prison carried out the execution of two prisoners involved in separate cases of drug-related crimes and murder.

The inmates have been identified as Hossein Amani-Nejad and Hamed Yavari, with Amani-Nejad convicted of drug offenses four years ago and Yavari found guilty of the murder of his sister-in-law six years ago, according to HRANA.

Furthermore, on June 10, two inmates named Masoud Sasani and Saeed Nasiri were executed at the Central Prison of Karaj for their involvement in drug-related crimes.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Citizen Killed by Police during Ceremony Commemorating Kian Pirfalak’s Birthday

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Izeh, Kian Pirfalak, Pouya Molaie-Rad

On June 11, 2023, during a ceremony held to commemorate the birthday of Kian Pirfalak, a minor who lost his life during the nationwide protests in 2022, police fatally shot a citizen. Official media has claimed that a few police officers were also killed in this incident.

The citizen who was tragically killed has been identified as Pouya Molaie-Rad, aged about 20, and he was a cousin of Kian Pirfalak’s mother, according to the report obtained by HRANA.
Confirming the news, IRNA reported that Molaie-Rad succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Several sources have mentioned the arrest of multiple individuals by the police during the ceremony. These individuals have been taken to an undisclosed location. HRANA is actively working to verify these arrests and ascertain the identities of the detainees.

The Fars news agency, affiliated with security institutions, has claimed that a police officer named Mohammad Ghanbari also lost his life, allegedly after being struck by a car.

During the protest in Izeh, on November 16, 2022, at least seven individuals, including Kiran Pirfalak, were killed in the shooting by regime forces.

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.

 

 

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Civil Rights Activist Yashar Tabrizi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
aKBAR gHOLIZADEH, Tehran, Yashar Tabrizi

On June 10, 2023, Yashar Tabrizi, a civil rights activist and former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces in Tehran and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke with HRANA, Tabrizi’s residence in Shahriar was raided by six intelligence agents. During the operation, they conducted a search and seized various belongings belonging to Tabrizi and his family.

As of now, the specific reasons behind Tabrizi’s arrest and the allegations against him have not been made public.

It is worth noting that Yashar Tabrizi, also known as Akbar Gholizadeh, has a history of previous arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Pedram Moeini Arrested in Baneh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Evin Prison, Farzam Moeini, Pedram Moeini

On June 11, 2023, Pedram Moeini was apprehended by security forces in Baneh, Kurdistan Province, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Farzam Moeini, Pedram’s brother, HRANA was informed that plainclothes agents arrested Pedram without presenting an arrest warrant while he was at his workplace in Baneh. These agents conducted a search of the premises and confiscated his mobile phone. The motive behind Pedram Moeini’s arrest and the specific location of his detention have yet to be determined.

It should be noted that Pedram Moeini had previously been detained during the nationwide protests on September 24, 2022, and was held in Evin Prison. He was later released on bail amounting to one billion Tomans.

Two Inmates Executed for Drug-Related Crimes in Urmia Prison

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Executions, News
Ghobad Farhadpour, HRANA, Jafar Mohammadpour, Kermanshah, Sardasht, Urmia prison

Urmia Prison witnessed the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related offences on June 9, 2023, as confirmed by HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency).

The individuals identified as Ghobad Farhadpour from Kermanshah and Jafar Mohammadpour, a resident of Sardasht, were subjected to the death penalty following their transfer to solitary confinement.

No official sources or domestic media outlets in the country have reported on these executions at the time of writing.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, a total of 457 reports related to the death penalty were registered in 2022. This included 92 death sentences, including six individuals sentenced to public execution. Furthermore, 565 execution sentences were carried out, two of which were carried out publicly. Among the executed individuals, 501 were male, 11 were female, and five were juvenile offenders who were executed despite being under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.

Report on Conditions of Female Prisoners at Ilam Prison

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Ilam prison, Iran's prisons, women ward

The women’s ward at Ilam Prison faces numerous challenges, including overcrowding, inadequate facilities, substandard food quality, cohabitation with violent offenders, restricted communication and family visits.

According to a reliable source interviewed by HRANA, the presence of violent crime convicts in the same ward poses difficulties for political prisoners and those detained in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests. Other issues highlighted include limitations on phone calls and family visitations, intrusive surveillance, compulsory participation in religious ceremonies, neglect of prisoners’ concerns, and verbal abuse by male prison guards towards female inmates.

Overcrowding remains a significant problem, forcing many inmates to sleep on the floor. The outdoor area is also notably small. In case of illness, access to the prison infirmary and necessary medication is severely restricted, with prison officials often dismissing requests for medical care as feigned ailments.

A family member of one prisoner expressed concern, stating that prisoners who refuse to participate in religious ceremonies are subjected to harassment and threats, often with the support of religious extremist inmates. Furthermore, the quality of prison food is poor, and the prison store fails to provide essential items, raising concerns about the health conditions of the inmates.

 

Two Inmates Executed in Zahedan and Qazvin

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Executions, News
Alidoost Sumalani, Choobindar Prison, Qazvin, Zahedan

On June 8, 2023, Alidoost Sumalani, 45, was executed in Zahedan Prison, according to Rasank news. He had been convicted of murder two years ago.

In Choobindar Prison, Qazvin, an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed, as reported by Hamshahri Online.

Additionally, on the same day, three death-row prisoners, including a woman convicted of drug-related crimes, were transferred to solitary confinement, indicating the impending implementation of the death penalty. HRANA is currently working on identifying these inmates.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.