Category: News

Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi in Detention Extended for One Month

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadaollahi, HRANA, K. N. Toosi University, Keyvan Mohtadi

In recent days, Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi’s detention was extended for one month. On Monday, May 9, 2022, security forces arrested these workers’ rights activists and jailed them in Ward 209 of Evin prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi’s detention was extended for one month.

Earlier, an informed source told HRANA, “Anisha Asadollahi is still held in solitary confinement and today was allowed to have a short visit from her mother. Keyvan Mohtadi is held along with three other inmates in a public cell of Ward 209.” The charges against these workers’ rights activists are still unknown.

Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi had been arrested and convicted before for their civil activities. On May 1, 2019, along with many other workers and worker’s rights activists, Anisha Asadollahi was arrested at a gathering for the celebration of International Workers’ Day. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced her to one-year imprisonment (of which six months were suspended) and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing the public order”. She was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing on January 4, 2020, and was freed on January 21 of that year.

Anisha Asadollahi is an electrical engineer and a graduate of K. N. Toosi University of Technology. She works as an English teacher.

Eight Inmates Executed in Rajai Shahr Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, eight inmates convicted of murder were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, the executions of eight inmates were carried out in Rajai Shahr Prison.

Three of these executed inmates have been identified by HRANA as Mohammad Shokri, age 25, Ali Gholami, age 24 and Amir Jafari. They had all been convicted of murder.

These executions have not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far. 

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period. 

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

 

Ten Teacher Union Activists Arrested in Saqqez and Divandarreh

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Aziz Marzi, Divandarreh, Hiwa Ghoreishi, Kaweh Mohammadzadeh, Omid-Shah Mohammadi, Othman Rezai, Parviz Ahsani, Salah Sorkhi, Saqqez, Soleiman Abdi, Teachers' Trade Associations

Yesterday, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, security forces arrested ten teacher union activists in Saqqez and Divandarreh, in Kurdistan Province, and transferred them to an unidentified location. The individuals arrested, who are members of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Trade Associations, include Soleiman Abdi, Aziz Marzi, Salah Sorkhi from Saqqez and Omid-Shah Mohammadi, Othman Rezai, Hiwa Ghoreishi, Parviz Ahsani and Kaweh Mohammadzadeh from Diwandarreh.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, ten members of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Trade Associations were arrested in Saqqez and Divandarreh.

The reason for the arrest, the whereabouts and the charges against these individuals are unknown so far.

The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations called active and retired teachers to rally across the country in protest against the widespread arrests of teachers.

Baha’i Children’s Rights Activist Samin Ehsani Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Afghan children, Baha'i faith, children's rights activist, Samin Ehsani

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Baha’i children’s rights activist Samin Ehsani was arrested and taken to Evin Prison to serve a five-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Baha’i children’s rights activist Samin Ehsani was taken to Evin Prison for sentencing.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Ehsani to five years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime”, and “membership in the heretical Baha’i sect”. The verdict was issued on July 1, 2012. The verdict was upheld on appeal.

Samin Ehsani has been active in running educational courses for Afghan children who do not have access to education in Iran. During the trial, her activities were presented as an example of the charges.

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.

Several Individuals Arrested for Live Stream Posts by Iran’s Cyber Police

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Bushehr, Iran’s Cyber Police, Tehran, West Azerbaijan, zanjan

The chief of Iran’s Cyber Police announced that several individuals have been arrested in several cities across the country for what he called inappropriate live videos on social media. He said that the individuals’ mobile phones have been confiscated and they have been indicted by the judicial authorities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mehr News Agency, a number of individuals have been arrested by the cyber police in Bushehr, Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Zanjan and Fars provinces.

Without revealing the identities and the number of the individuals who are arrested, Vahid Majid, the chief of Iran’s Cyber Police claimed, “from Bushehr, Tehran, West Azerbaijan, Zanjan and Fars, the members and heads of a gang, who were circulating inappropriate live video posts to promote corruption and money laundering were identified and apprehended.”

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Update on Prisoner Kamal Sharifi in Minab Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners

Political prisoner Kamal Sharifi is serving the fourteenth year out of a 30 years sentence in Minab Prison. In violation of prison rules, he was housed with violent prisoners. Moreover, he suffers from heart disease and digestive disorders, for which he has been denied adequate medical treatment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kamal Sharifi is serving the fourteenth year of his sentence in a ward for prisoners of violent crimes in Minab Prison.

In March of 2021, he was dispatched to a hospital outside prison after a heart attack. After four days, however, he was sent back to prison before completing medical treatment. Also, due to damaged tendons in his foot, Sharifi can hardly walk for which he has not received medical treatment.

Earlier, HRANA reported that Sharifi is not allowed furlough, family visitation or regular phone calls.

Kamal Sharifi was arrested in 1998 in the city of Saqqez, when Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment.

On several occasions, Kamal Sharifi was arrested in 1989 and 1990 on the charges of supporting and working for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and eventually, the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez sentenced him to one additional year of imprisonment and 40 lashes.

Maryam Karim-Beigi Arrested at her House

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

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, the security forces arrested Maryam Karim-Beigi at her house and transferred her to an unidentified location. Karim Beigi’s brother, Mostafa Karim- Beigi,  is one of the victims of the 2009 protests and her family has frequently been in the news.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Maryam Karim-Beigi was arrested by security forces in Tehran.

In a video post on social media, Shahnaz Akmali, Karim-Beigi’s mother, broke the news that at 7 AM, security forces raided her house and arrested her daughter.

The reason for this arrest, her whereabouts and the charges are unknown so far.

Earlier on February 21, 2022, the security agents had searched Karim-Beigi’s house and confiscated personal belongings including cell phones. Six days later, Maryam Karim-Beigi was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence for interrogation.

On April 10, 2022, Maryam KarimBeigi was informed about her expulsion from the university.

In previous years, Shahnaz Akmali had also faced arrests and convictions for her civil activities and seeking justice for the killing of her son.

Four Inmates Executed in Adel-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Ali Karam Kianpour, Execution, Fahim Valliollah, Jomeh Makaki, Mojtaba Alinazar, Shiraz Central Prison

Last Sunday, four inmates who were convicted of drug-related crimes and murder were executed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, on Sunday, June 12, 2022, four inmates were executed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz.

Three of the inmates have been identified as Fahim Valliollah, an Afghan national, Mojtaba Alinazar, and Ali Karam Kianpour. Reportedly, Mojtaba Alinazar was accused of murder four years ago and Ali Karam Kianpour for the same crime five years ago. Two other prisoners were executed for drug-related crimes.

Last Friday, another inmate, Jomeh Makaki, who was convicted of drug-related crimes, was executed in Shiraz Central Prison.

None of these executions have been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far. 

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period. 

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi Goes on Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Iranian Trade Union Activist, Reza Shahabi, Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

On Monday, June 13, 2022, Reza Shahabi, trade union activist and a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company started his hunger strike in protest against his prolonged detention. Shahabi who suffers from poor health has been detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for over 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Monday, June 13, 2022, trade union activist Reza Shahabi went on hunger strike to protest against his detention.

Last Sunday, Shahabi’s detention was extended for one month.

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, security forces arrested Reza Shahabi at his house in Tehran.

In previous years, Reza Shahabi faced other arrests and convictions for his civil activities.

26 Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 85 Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Exile, Iranian Constitution

Last Wednesday, June 8, 2022, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced 26 Baha’i citizens to a total of 85 years in prison as well as additional punishments such as a ban from leaving the country and residing in exile.  

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 26 Baha’i individuals were sentenced to a total of 85 years in prison.

During the third court session held last Wednesday, these individuals were sentenced to a total of 85 years in prison and a ban from leaving the country for 2 years. Of the 26 defendants, 11 were sentenced to five years and 15 to two years in prison.

These individuals have been charged with “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. During the trial, holding gatherings in poor neighborhoods or tourist districts under the guise of addressing issues such as water crisis and other social issues have been presented for this charge.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

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.