Category: News

Two Women Detained by IRGC Intelligence in Mashhad

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News, Other
Ghazaleh Baghernia, IRGC Intelligence, Mashhad, Taktam Nowruzi

HHRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency – In Mashhad, Ghazaleh Baghernia and Taktam Nowruzi were apprehended by security forces and subsequently transferred to a detention facility in this city.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Baghernia was taken into custody on May 24, while Nowruzi was arrested on May 29. The arrests took place on a street in Mashhad by agents of the IRGC Intelligence. Baghernia was allowed to make a phone call to her family, revealing that she is currently being held in solitary confinement at the detention facility.

The reasons behind their detention and the specific charges against them remain undisclosed at this time.

Baha’i Citizen Shahdokht Khanjani Arrested in Semnan

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Semnan, Shahdokht Khanjani

HHRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency -On May 29, 2023, security forces apprehended Shahdokht Khanjani, a Baha’i woman, at her residence in Semnan and transported her to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, “Four agents raided her home and took her into custody. During the arrest, the agents conducted a search of her residence and confiscated some personal belongings belonging to her and her family.”

The reasons behind her arrest, her current whereabouts, and the specific charges against her remain undisclosed at this time. Khanjani, a mother of two children, is a resident of Semnan.

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.

 

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to over Five Years and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- In a recent development, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a civil rights activist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years and eight months of imprisonment along with additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court states that Ahmadi Ragheb has been sentenced to five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Furthermore, he has been subjected to restrictions, including a ban on engaging in civil and political activities, using a cell phone, and traveling abroad for a period of two years.
If the verdict is upheld during the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial count of five years in prison will be enforced.

An informed source, speaking with HRANA, revealed that “Previously, Ahmadi Ragheb had refused to attend the court due to being subjected to handcuffs and ankle cuffs during the transfer. Yesterday, he was brought to the court with handcuffs and informed that the verdict had been issued in absentia as he had been absent from the court proceedings on three occasions.”

The source further added, “Following the reception of this verdict, Ahmadi Ragheb has requested a retrial. It is important to note that he has been facing these legal actions based on a complaint filed by an IRGC official.”

On February 3, 2023, Ahmadi Ragheb was released from Rajai Shahr prison after completing his previous sentence. However, in March 2023, he was re-arrested during a protest against poison attacks on schools and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

 

 

Hamideh Zeraei Re-Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Hamideh Zeraie, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 29, 2023, Hamideh Zeraei was once again apprehended by security forces at her residence in Karaj and transported to an undisclosed location. Zeraei had previously been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, revealed that Zeraei had gone to reclaim her seized vehicle, which had been confiscated by IRGC intelligence during her prior arrest. In a call to her family, she expressed concerns about the possibility of being re-arrested by the IRGC intelligence unit.

The grounds for her arrest, her current location, and the specific charges against her remain unknown. Notably, on May 3, 2023, Zeraei had received a summons to appear at the Karaj courthouse on charges related to “propaganda for anti-regime groups.”

Zeraie, who was previously detained amidst the 2022 nationwide protests, had been released on February 7, 2024. It was widely assumed that she, along with numerous other imprisoned protestors, had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive. However, the recent summons she received indicates a different course of events, contradicting initial assumptions.

Mohammad Taleghani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Social Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society, Iman Afshari, irgc, Mohammad Taleghani, Tehran

Mohammad Taleghani, a former member of Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, has been handed a two-year prison sentence and imposed social restrictions by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, the execution of this verdict has been suspended for a period of five years.

Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, citing “assembly and collusion against national security” as the reason for Taleghani’s sentence. In addition to the prison term, Taleghani has been banned from leaving the country and prohibited from using social media, as well as being barred from participating in civil and political activities for a duration of five years.

Taleghani’s arrest took place on July 9, 2023, when the intelligence forces of the IRGC apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. After spending eight days in custody, he was released on bail from Evin Prison.

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Hojat Al-Mohammadi Arrested in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hojat Al-Mohammadi, Izeh, Khuzestan province

On May 23, 2023, Hojat Al-Mohammadi, a 38-year-old resident of Izeh, Khuzestan Province, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to an informed source who spoke with HRANA, Al-Mohammadi was arrested around four pm at his workplace. Since the arrest, he made two phone calls to his family, but he did not disclose his whereabouts during those conversations.
The allegations against him are also still unknown.

Workers’ Rights Activist Farhad Sheikhi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, Farhad Sheikhi, Hashtgerd, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 28, 2023, workers’ rights activist Farhad Sheikhi was apprehended at his residence in Hashtgerd, Karaj, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Sheikhi’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, it was revealed that agents from the Ministry of Intelligence were responsible for his arrest.

This is not the first time Sheikhi have faced arrest and legal action for his activism. Last time, on January 21, 2023, security forces arrested him and jailed him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was relocated to the Central Prison of Karaj after 16 days.

This worker’s rights activist was released under the “pardon and commutation” directive on February 7, 2023.

Teenage Protestor Died from Injuries

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Children, News
2022 nationwide protests, Abolfazl Amir-Ataie, iran protests, Shahr-e-Rey, Tehran

Abolfazl Amir-Ataie, a 16-year-old participant in the 2022 nationwide protests, lost his life due to injuries sustained during the demonstrations.

Approximately eight months ago, during the protests in Shahr-e-Rey, Tehran, Ataie was struck in the head by a tear gas bullet. This devastating incident left him hospitalized, rendering him unable to speak or move.

Despite the passing of Ataie, neither the official media nor the authorities have issued a response thus far. However, his mother has confirmed the heartbreaking news of his death.

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.

 

Mohsen Sepehri Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
great tehran penitentiary, Iman Afshari, Mohsen Sepehri, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Mohsen Sepehri has been handed a five-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Sepehri was apprehended during the 2022 nationwide protests in Tehran and subsequently transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary following interrogations.

Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, ruling that Sepehri was found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security,” resulting in a five-year sentence. An informed source, speaking to HRANA, revealed that Sepehri was denied access to legal representation throughout the entirety of the legal proceedings.

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.

 

Three Political Prisoners Beaten by Prison Officials in Great Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Prisoners
Erfan Karam Veisi, great tehran penitentiary, Majid Roshan-Nejad, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Rajai Shahr Prison, Reza Nowrouzi

On May 25, 2023, political prisoners Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Reza Nowrouzi and Majid Roshan-Nejad were beaten by prison officers at Great Tehran Penitentiary.

On May 25, 2023, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Reza Nowrouzi, and Majid Roshan-Nejad, political prisoners at Great Tehran Penitentiary, were subjected to a violent beating by prison officials.

Their legal representative, Erfan Karam Veisi, reported, “Yesterday, at approximately 11 am, my clients were assaulted by six prison guards in Ward Type 5. Dehbanzadeh endured repeated strikes from batons on his head and body. He was then shackled to a bar for an entire day. Despite his injuries, the prison infirmary only provided him with a pill and refused proper medical attention. Currently, he is held in another ward.

On May 3, 2023, they were transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison to Great Tehran Penitentiary. These prisoners had previously faced an attack from a violent crime prisoner on May 10, 2023.

Nowrouzi is presently serving a five-year sentence and received an additional punishment of 74 lashes and a fine in August 2022, for “disturbing prison order.”