Category: News

Baha’i Citizen Rouya Malakooti Arrested, Eight Others Summoned in Mashhad

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News, Religious Minorities
Azita Foroughi, Fardieh Moradi, Golnoosh Nasiri, HRANA, Mashhad, Nasim Sabeti, Nooshin Mesbah, Rouya Malakooti, Roya Ghaneh-Ezabadi, Shohreh Salekian, Soheila Ahmadi, Vakilabad prison

On July 29, nine Baha’i women were separately summoned to appear at Mashhad Courthouse, with one among them, Roya Malakooti, ending up arrested after hours of interrogation.

The other eight citizens, Roya Ghaneh-Ezabadi, Shohreh Salekian, Golnoosh Nasiri, Azita Foroughi, Nooshin Mesbah, Soheila Ahmadi, Fardieh Moradi, and Nasim Sabeti, have had the addressing of their legal cases postponed until further notice.

The specific allegations against these individuals remain undisclosed, leaving uncertainty surrounding the reasons behind the summoning and the subsequent arrest. According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, the Prosecutor’s office investigator issued a one-month detention order for Roya Malakooti, and she was subsequently transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

As the case unfolds, the fate of the other eight Baha’i women remains uncertain, and their legal proceedings are set to be addressed in the coming days.

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.

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.

Actor Mehdi Etemad Saeed Detained for Nearly 50 Days in Legal Uncertainty

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mehdi Etemad Saeed, PartUp Institute, Tehran

Mehdi Etemad Saeed, an actor, showman, and skill development facilitator, is still detained in legal ambiguity for over 49 days, raising his family’s concern about his condition.

Etemad Saeed was arrested by security forces on June 9, 2023, in Tehran. The agents searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings.

According to PartUp Institute, Mehdi Etemad was reportedly denied access to legal representation and has been charged with “promoting impurity and indecency.”Etemad Saeed’s whereabouts are still unknown.

Etemad Saeed is the founder of PartUp Institute and a social project with the same name.

Izeh Resident Shahab Nazari Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Shahab Nazari

The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court has handed down a three-year prison sentence to 23-year-old Shahab Nazari, a resident of Izeh.

As per the verdict issued on June 17, 2023, Nazari has been given a two-year sentence for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an additional one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” Notably, he was acquitted of the charges of “inciting people to wage war to act against national security.”
Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, he will serve two years in prison for the first charge.
It’s worth mentioning that Nazari is facing another legal case where the Ahvaz Criminal Court has indicted him for “spreading falsehood.”Security forces arrested Shahab Nazari in Ahvaz on April 22, 2023. He was subsequently released on a 300-million-toman bail on May 21, 2023.

Workers’ Rights Activist Reyhaneh Ansari Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, mohammad habibi, Razieh Zeydi, Reyhaneh Ansari, Salavati, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed a four-year prison sentence to workers’ rights activist Reyhaneh Ansari. According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the original charge would have led to a four-year imprisonment.

Ansari’s lawyer, Razieh Zeydi, informed the public that Judge Salavati, who presided over the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentenced Ansari to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security and acting against national security.” As an additional punishment, she has been prohibited from leaving the country, joining political and civil groups, and engaging in online and media activities for two years.

Ansari, along with several other civil and workers’ rights activists, was apprehended at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, she, along with Anisha Asadollahi, was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is important to highlight that Ansari has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

Legal Uncertainty Persists for Detained Amer Dadafarin and Mohammad Molazahi in Zahedan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Amer Dadafarin, HRANA, Iranshahr, Mohammad Mola-Zahi, Zahedan

Amer Dadafarin, aged 18, and Mohammad Molazahi, aged 25, continue to be held in detention for over 39 days, in legal ambiguity.

Presently, they are incarcerated at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Zahedan.
Sources close to their families, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that Dadafarin and Molazahi were apprehended by security forces in Iranshahr on June 18, 2023. Following two days of interrogation, they were transferred and confined in Zahedan’s detention facility.

Notably, on July 22, Molazahi was briefly allowed to visit his mother.

However, the reasons behind their arrest and the charges imposed on these residents of Iranshahr remain undisclosed.

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Fatal Shooting of Citizen by Police in Kermanshah

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News, Other
Ali Nazari, HRANA, Kermanshah, Kurdpa

On July 26, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Kermanshah as a citizen, identified as Ali Nazari, was shot dead by police, as reported by Kurdpa.

According to an informed source, Nazari was pursued by the police in a district in Kermanshah, where he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest, ultimately resulting in his death.

As of now, Nazari’s body has not been returned to his family, adding to the distress and uncertainty surrounding the case.

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.

 

Renowned Iranian Actress Shohreh Ghamar Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian actress, Mizan, Shohreh Ghamar

On July 26, 2023, Shohreh Ghamar, an Iranian actress aged 29, was arrested on charges of allegedly “publishing insulting content on the Internet.” As a result of these accusations, she was taken to an undisclosed location.

The news of her arrest was reported by Tasnim. On the same day, Mizan, the judiciary’s official news agency, reported that Shohreh Ghamar is facing legal action for her alleged role in “publishing insulting content causing psychological insecurity in society.”

However, at this time, the specific details regarding the charges leveled against Ghamar and the location of her detention remain undisclosed.

Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Begins Her Sentence in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, workers rights activist

Workers’ rights activist Anisha Asadollahi has commenced serving her five-year, eight-month sentence at Evin Prison.

The initial verdict, handed down by the Tehran Revolutionary Court under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Asadollahi to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Despite an appeal, the sentence was upheld.

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years for the primary charges.

The court session addressing her charges took place on April 16, 2023.

Anisha Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were apprehended at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is important to highlight that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions linked to her activism.

Azerbaijani (Turk) Activist Ali Razizadeh Nazarloo Sentenced to Two Years

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Razizadeh, Ali Razizadeh Nazarloo, azerbaijani activist, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Ali Razizadeh Nazarloo to two years in prison. In addition to the prison term, he has been barred from leaving the country and participating in civil and political groups for two years.

Razizadeh was convicted on charges of “membership in an anti-regime group to act against national security.” The prosecution cited his involvement in activities such as “running an Instagram page to promote Ethnic-related ideas” and “publishing a video in support of people convicted of security-related charges” as evidence for the charges.

The court session was held on July 15, 2023.

 

Mohsen Kheirkhah Sentenced to Three Years in Mahshahr Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, Mahshahr, Mohsen Kheirkhah

Mohsen Kheirkhah has been sentenced to three years by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court.

The verdict, issued on July 22, 2023, includes one year for “propaganda against the regime” and two years for “insulting the Supreme Court of Iran.”

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will enforce a two-year sentence.

The court session took place on July 5, 2023.

Kheirkhah’s arrest occurred during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Mahshahr, and he was later released from Behbahan Prison.

It’s important to note that last year, the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court found him guilty of “propaganda against the regime,” but he was subsequently granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive.