Category: News

Teacher Union Activist Reza Tahmasbi Arrested

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Kurdistan Teachers’ Trade Associations, Reza Tahmasbi, Teacher union activist

On Monday, June 20, 2022, Reza Tahmasbi, teacher union activist and a member of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Trade Associations, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Monday, June 20, 2022, security forces arrested teacher union activist Reza Tahmasbi without showing an arrest warrant

The reason for Tahmasbi’s arrest, the charges and his whereabouts are unknown so far.

In recent days, several teachers in cities across Iran have been arrested.

“Health Defenders” Sentenced to Over Ten Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Keykhosravi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ehdi Mahmoodian, Health Defenders, Maryam Afrafaraz, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mostafa Nili

Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced the defendants of a legal case known as “Health Defenders”, Mehdi Mahmoodian, Arash Keykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad-Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz to a total of ten years and nine months in prison and other restrictions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Emtedad News, five lawyers and civil rights activists were sentenced to a total of more than ten years in prison.

According to Mahmoodian’s lawyer, Babak Paknia, the sentences against these individuals are as follows:

  •       Mahmoodian: four years in prison, banned from presence in media for two years
  •       Mostafa Nili: four years in prison, banned from presence in media for two years, prohibition of practicing law for two years.
  •       Arash Keykhosravi: two years, ban from presence in media for one year and prohibition of practicing law for one year.
  •       Mohammad-Reza Faghihi: six months in prison
  •       Maryam Afrafaraz: 95 days in prison.

Attorney Babak Paknia stated that at a public court session, he was not allowed to attend the court even as a spectator.

The first three defendants were convicted on the charge of “creating anti-regime groups to disrupt national security and propaganda against the regime”. The two last were convicted of “membership in anti-regime groups.”

On August 14, 2021, during a meeting to take a decision on filing a lawsuit against the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government for banning foreign vaccines, nine Iranian lawyers and civil rights activists were arrested. The defendants of this case were dubbed on social media as “Health defenders.”

Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
garbage truck drivers, Iranian pensioners, Kerman, Khuzestan, Lali Municipality, Negin Pakhsh Company, Rasht, Social Security Organization, truck owners, zanjan

On Monday, June 20, 2022, a number of protests took place in different cities across Iran.

The laid-off workers of Ahan Ajin Mining Company, working in the Sungun copper mine, gathered and protested before this company office.

The Social Security Organization’s pensioners continued their protest for levelling up pensions in the cities of Kerman, Rasht and Zanjan.

A number of workers of the Lali Municipality in Khuzestan Province gathered and protested against delayed wags and insurance payments.

A group of truck owners protested in front of the Fuel Transportation Management department to ask for their demands.

In Urmia city, a number of garbage truck drivers staged a strike in protest against low wages.

In Mashhad, the drivers of the Negin Pakhsh Company went on strike to ask for their demands.

Political Prisoner Firooz Musaloo Executed in Urmia Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
enmity against God, Execution in Iran, Fars News Agency, Firooz Musaloo, moharebeh, Urmia prison

On Monday, June 20, 2022, political prisoner Firooz Musaloo was executed in Urmia Prison. He was taken from the public ward of Urmia Prison to an unidentified location prior to the execution.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Monday, June 20, 2022, political prisoner Firooz Musaloo was executed in Urmia Prison.

Musaloo was earlier sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on the charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh)”, and “membership in one of the anti-regime political parties.”

Yesterday, intelligence-affiliated Fars News Agency, quoting the Chief Justice of West Azerbaijan, claimed an inmate accused of killing two border agents was executed. Although this news agency did not disclose the name and other details, it appears to refer to Mualoo’s execution.

On July 11, 2019, Firooz Musaloo was arrested by IRGC’s Intelligence and transferred to a detention center in Urmia. On January 1, 2020, he was sent to Urmia Prison.

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.

Update on Javad Laal Mohammadi’s Condition in Vakil-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Aida Laal Mohammadi, Ezzat Javadi Hesar, Javad Laal Mohammadi, Vakil-Abad Prison

Political Activist Javad La’al Mohammadi is detained in Vakil-Abad Prison for more than eight months where the due process in his case has been unclear. In April of 2022, he was transferred from a detention facility to Vakil-Abad Prison in Mashhad.

La’al Mohammadi was one of the 14 signatories of a letter which requested the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, which has had consequences for its signatories.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Civil Activist Javad La’al Mohammadi is still in detention in an uncertain condition for more than eight months in Vakil-Abad Prison in Mashhad.

La’al Mohammadi is currently held in a cell with another activist Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi. In February of the last year, his court session was held in Branch 903 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

During the legal process, he was allowed to choose a lawyer only from those the judiciary confirmed.

On October 13, 2021, security forces arrested this civil activist at his house. During the arrest, the agents searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings. They also threatened his family members. Earlier, on September 1, 2021, with his wife, Ezzat Javadi Hesar and his daughter Aida La’al Mohammadi, he had been arrested in Mashhad. During this detention, La’al Mohammadi was beaten up and tortured.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Ten Detained Teachers in Saqqez Prison Go on Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Ahmad Ghaderi, Amanj Amini, Esmail Reihani, Hasan Rahimian, Heam Khakpour, Iranian detained teachers, Khaled Abdollahi, Mohsen Shokooh, Saqqez Prison, Soleiman Abdi, Taher Hamedi, Zahed Moradi

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, ten detained teachers, Khaled Abdollahi, Soleiman Abdi, Ahmad Ghaderi, Amanj Amini, Zahed Moradi, Esmail Reihani, Heam Khakpour, Taher Hamedi, Mohsen Shokooh, and Hasan Rahimian went on hunger strike in protest against their detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, ten teachers, who were arrested during the recent nationwide teachers’ protest, went on hunger strike in Saqqez Prison.

On Thursday, June 16, 2022, in response to the call of the Coordination Council of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, active and retired teachers and educators held protests in front of the Ministry of Education in several cities across Iran. Last Wednesday and Thursday, dozens of teachers including 21 teachers in Saqqez were arrested.

The teachers’ demands include the immediate release of their detained colleagues, the implementation of the “Job Ranking Plan” as passed in Iran’s parliament, closing the gap in pensions, free education for students, and a maximum class size of 16.

Mehdi Salimi Imprisoned in Evin

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Behesht Zahra, Evin Prison, Iranian researcher, Iranian Writer, Mehdi Salimi

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, writer, translator and researcher Mehdi Salimi was taken to Evin Prison to serve his six-month sentence. Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran had sentenced him to three years in prison, of which two and a half years have been suspended for five years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday, June 18, 2022, writer Mehdi Salimi was taken to Evin prison to serve his six-month sentence.

In July of last year, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Afshari, sentenced Salimi to three years in prison on the charge of “blasphemy” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, out of multiple charges, the most severe is enforceable. Therefore, three years of sentencing is enforceable, of which two years and six months have been suspended for five years.

As additional punishments, among other things, he has been banned from leaving the country during the suspension, prohibited from membership in civil and political groups. and obligated to visit the Martyrs’ Section of Behesht Zahra Cemetery on a monthly basis.
Mehdi Salimi is a resident of Tehran, writer and translator of several books on philosophy and social critical theories. During the trial, the translation of Salimi’s books and essays such as “Theories about Gender Studies” was presented as examples of the charges. Salimi had been arrested on July 7, 2020, in Ahar, East Azerbaijan Province, and was later released on bail.

 IRGC Intelligence Arrested Three Telegram Channel Admins 

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Telegram channel admins, IRGC Intelligence

In recent days, the IRGC Intelligence arrested three individuals for “disturbing public opinion through publishing classified documents”.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Radio Farda and Rokna, three Telegram channel admins were arrested by IRGC Intelligence allegedly for “publishing classified documents.”

In this report, one IRGC official claimed, “They attempted to gain the audience’s trust by publishing classified documents and by creating division between officials through fake and selective news items.”

This official did not disclose the individuals’ identities and their whereabouts. The individuals arrested are said in social media outlets to be connected to the IRGC Intelligence.

Teachers Mahmood Melaki and Mohsen Omrani Arrested in Bushehr

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Bushehr, IIWU, Mahmood Melaki, Mohsen Omrani

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU), on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, teachers Mahmood Melaki and Mohsen Omrani were arrested in Bushehr City.

Reportedly, two individuals’ families’ inquiry about their whereabouts and conditions has been unanswered by security and judicial authorities and the reasons for these arrests, the charges and their whereabouts are still unknown.

On May 1, 2022, Melaki and Omrani were arrested during the teachers’ protests in Bushehr. Melaki and Omrani were released on bail on May 17 and 21 respectively.

Last year, the Bushehr Revolutionary Court sentenced Melaki to refrain from teaching for two years and a 20-million tomans fine.

Mass Arrests of Teachers and Teacher Union Activists in Cities of Iran

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
he Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Iranian Teachers, Job Ranking Plan, Teacher Union Activists

On June  15 and 16, 2022, several teachers and teacher union activists were arrested by security forces in the cities of Rasht, Saqqez, Khomeini Shahr, Mariwan, Divandarreh, Sanandaj and Delfan. HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  was able to verify the arrest of 51 individuals.

According to HRANA, dozens of teachers and educators were arrested in different cities.

On Thursday, June 16, 2022, in response to the call of the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, active and retired teachers and educators held protests in front of the Ministry of Education in several cities across Iran.

In Tehran, a high number of police and security forces prevented the protestors from gathering near the parliament. Also, in Saqqez and Sanandaj, the heavy presence of plainclothes security agents was evident.

The protesting teachers demanded the immediate release of detained teachers, the implementation of the “Job Ranking Plan” as passed in Iran’s parliament, closing the gap in pensions, free education for students, and a maximum class size of 16. 

The following is a confirmed list of individuals arrested in each city:

Rasht, Gilan Province

  1. Koka Bodaghi
  2. Aziz Ghasemzadeh
  3. Mahmood Sedighipour
  4. Anoosh Adeli
  5. Javad Saeedi and
  6. an unidentified woman.

 

Saqqez, Kurdistan Province

  1. Khaled Abdollahi
  2. Mohammad Fatahi
  3. Taher Ghaderzadeh
  4. Soleyman Abdi
  5. Azizi Marzi
  6. Ahmad Ghaderi
  7. Keywan Mohammadi
  8. Hossein Mohammadi
  9. Loghmanollah Moradi
  10. Khaled Sheikhi
  11. Salahedin Hosseini
  12. Ghader Yasrabi
  13. Marzieh Talai
  14. Amanj Amni
  15. Zahed Moradi
  16. Anvar Farajzadeh
  17. Awat Razawi
  18. Esmail Reihani
  19. Taher Hamei
  20. Keywan Ahmadi
  21. Salah Sorkhi

 

Qazvin, Qazvin Province

  1. Mohammad-Reza Behnam-Nejad
  2. Ali Sadeghi-Nejad
  3. Mahmood Sabooni
  4. Mahmood Zamani
  5. Saayadi (first name unknown)
  6. Hamid Farokh Amini
  7. Efekhari (First Name Unknown)
  8. Razni (first name unknown)
  9. Kazemi (first name unknown).

 

Khomeini Shahr, Isfahan Province

  1. Sattar Zarei (released on bail)
  2. Mojtaba Abtahi (released on bail)
  3. Ruhollah Ghadimi (released on bail)

 

Mariwan, Kurdistan Province

  1. Tahsin Mostafa
  2. Sivan Soleimani
  3. Aram Ghaderi

 

Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province

  1. Omid-Shah Mohammadi
  2. Othman Rezai
  3. Hiwa Ghoreishi
  4. Parviz Ahsani
  5. Kaweh Mohammadzadeh

 

Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province

  1. Salah Haji Mirzai
  2. Mohammad-Reza Moradi
  3. Ghias Nemati

And in Delfan, Lorestan province, one arrested teacher was identified as Parviz Eini.