Category: News

Teacher and Azerbaijani Turk Activist Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard Arrested

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Khoda Afarin, Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard, Yashar Ghahremani Fard

On August 1, 2022, security forces arrested Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard, a teacher and Azerbaijani Turk Activist, in Khoda Afarin County, East Azerbaijan Province. The agents searched his house and transferred him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 1, 2022, teacher and Azerbaijani Turk Activist Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard was arrested.

Ghahremani Fard’s son, Yashar Ghahremani Fard informed the public about the arrest of his father on social media, “Over 8 intelligence agents raided our house, searched and confiscated some of my father’s belongings and took my father. Still, we do not have any information about his whereabouts.”

Shia Cleric Vahid Heroabadi Excommunicated and Sentenced 

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Shia cleric, Vahid Heroabadi

The Special Clerical Court sentenced Shia cleric Vahid Heroabadi to two years in prison. Additionally, he was excommunicated from the clerical establishment and banned from leaving the country for two years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Shia cleric Vahid Heroabadi was sentenced to two years in prison for “spreading falsehood and propaganda against the regime on social media.” He was later acquitted of the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran”.

According to an informed source, another legal case has also been opened against Heroabadi for his protest against a foreign political figure visiting Iran.

On June 1, 2022, Heroabadi was arrested at the border while attempting to leave the country. Two weeks later, he was released on bail. 

In a previous legal case, the court of appeals sentenced Heroabadi to one year in prison for “spreading falsehood and disturbing public opinion” and fined him for “dishonoring the clergy”.

Maryam Karim-Beigi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison, Flagellation, Paying a Court Fine

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Maryam Karim-Beigi, Maryam Karimbeigi, Mostafa Karim-Beigi, Mostafa Karimbeigi, Shahnaz Akmali

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran has sentenced Maryam Karim-Beigi to five years in prison, 74 lashes and a fine. If the verdict is confirmed on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, three years and seven months for one charge will be enforceable. Karim Beigi’s brother, Mostafa Karim-Beigi,  is one of the individuals that the security forces killed during the 2009 protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Maryam Karim-Beigi was sentenced to five years imprisonment, 74 lashes, and a fine payable to the court.

Karim-Beigi’s mother, Shahnaz Akmali broke the news on social media, saying that her daughter has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for meeting an Iranian singer. Karim-Beigi has also been sentenced to one year on the charge of propaganda against the regime and one year for having alcoholic beverages in her possession.

On April 10, 2022, Karim-Beigi was expelled from the university she was attending. On June 14, 2022, the security forces arrested Karim-Beigi at her house and transferred her to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. She was released on 700 million tomans bail on July 9.

Six Baha’i Citizens Arrested, Many Houses Searched

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities

On July 31, 2022, security forces arrested six Baha’is and searched at least 36 Baha’i houses in eight cities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 31, 2022, security forces raided and searched at least 36 houses belonging to the Baha’is in different cities across Iran.

The agents also arrested six Baha’is, Behnam Momtaz in Qazvin, Saha Sabeti in Sari, Saman Ostovar and Afif Naeimi in Karaj, and Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamal Abadi in Tehran. The three latter were the members of a now-disbanded Baha’i group known as the “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” addressing the spiritual and social needs of the Baha’i community.

In recent weeks, the persecution and harassment of Baha’i citizens have significantly increased.

According to the Baha’i International Community (BIC), during the last month, 44 Baha’is were arrested or imprisoned.

Bani Dugal, BIC’s Principal Representative to the United Nations said “Baha’is in Iran have experienced ongoing persecution for their beliefs over the last 44 years, But the current escalation  is beyond troubling.”

Workers’ Rights Activist Hirad Pirbodaghi Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News

On July 30, 2022, workers’ rights activist Hirad Pirbodaghi was arrested at his house and taken to Evin Prison to serve his four-year sentence. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Hirad Pirbodaghi started his sentencing at Evin Prison.

An informed source told HRANA: “over five agents broke the door, raided the house and arrested Pirbodaghi. Later, he made a phone call to his family and informed them that he is held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison. He was arrested for sentencing even though he had not been summoned and was still awaiting the Court of Appeal’s decision”.

In March 2022, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Pirbodaghi to four years and eight months in prison, no membership in political parties and groups for two years, and not leaving the country for two years. If the verdict is confirmed on appeal, four years imprisonment will be enforceable for him.

Pirbodaghi was arrested with  Asal Mohammadi on November 6, 2021.

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Student Activist Hasti Amiri Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
News, Students
Allameh Tabatabai University, Hasti Amiri, Tehran

On July 31, Hasti Amiri, the law student at Allameh Tabataba’i University, was arrested and taken to Evin Prison to serve her one-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security forces arrested Hasti Amiri at her house in Tehran and took her to Evin Prison for sentencing. 

In March of this year, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Amiri to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. She was also prohibited from membership in political and civil rights groups, and activities on the internet, and banned from attending student gatherings for two years. The Court of Appeals upheld this verdict.

According to her lawyer, Amir Raisian, a published photo showing Amiri in a student gathering for the celebration of Women’s Day in March, as well as her statements on social media against capital punishment was presented in the trial as evidence.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
ahvaz, Ahvaz National Steel Industrial Group workers, Bojnurd, Darugar, Iranian Pension, Isfahan, Karaj, Kermanshah, Rasht, Sanandaj, Shahrekord, Tabriz, Tehran, Telecommunication Company, Urmia

On Sunday, July 31, at least 16 protests took place in Iran.

In Tehran, Kermanshah, Shahrekord, Karaj, Tabriz, Urmia, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Bojnurd, and Sanandaj, the pensioners of the state-owned Iran Telecommunication Company held protests against the non-payment and reduction of their benefits. In Tehran, the police dispersed the protest gathering and several pensioners were arrested.

 

The pensioners of the Social Security Organization continued their protests in front of this organization in Rasht and Kermanshah.

In Ahvaz, the pensioners held a protest together with Ahvaz National Steel Industrial Group workers and the nurses of a hospital in front of the Ahvaz Governor-General Building.

 

The workers of the detergent manufacturing company Darugar continued their protests in front of the factory entrance to ask for five-month delayed wages and insurance payments.

 

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
ahvaz, Arak, detergent manufacturing company Darugar, Iranian pensioners, Karkheh, Shush

On Saturday, July 31, 2022, a number of pensioners gathered and protested in front of the Social Security Organization in Shush, Karkheh, Ahvaz and Arak. They chanted, “the jailed worker must be released” and “Jailed pensioner must be released.”

The workers of the detergent manufacturing company Darugar gathered before the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare to ask for their unpaid wages.

Shadi Dargahi Arrested in Mariwan

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Iraj Rahimzadeh, Shadi Dargahi

On July 28, Shadi Dargahi was arrested after an appearance at the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Marivan, Kurdistan Province. Dargahi’s husband, Iraj Rahimzadeh, was also transferred from a detention facility in Sanandaj to Mariwan Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on July 28, in Mariwan, the Ministry of Intelligence’s office summoned Shadi Dargahi for interrogation when she was arrested and transferred to Sanandaj Correctional Center.

Political Prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna Denied Emergency Medical Care

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Fatemeh Mosanna, Hassan Sadeghi

Political Prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna was denied medical treatment and hospitalization despite critical intestinal bleeding.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Evin prison officials refused to dispatch political prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna to an urgent care facility outside prison despite her condition.

An informed source told HRANA that Mosanna suffers from intestinal colitis, digestive disease and acute Migraine and her health condition has deteriorated, causing internal bleeding. The prison officials, however, suggested she should be sent to the hospital next month as the hospitals are overcrowded. “Mosanna has been denied visiting her husband, Hassan Sadeghi who is currently jailed in Rajai Shahr Prison and has never been granted furlough,” the source added.

On January 28, 2013, with her husband, Hassan Sadeghi, Mosanna was arrested while they were at the funeral of Sadeghi’s father. Their daughter and son, who is a minor, were also arrested and interrogated, and later released.

Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced both individuals to 15 years in prison and the seizure of personal property, business and house. This verdict was upheld on appeal.