Category: News

Political Prisoner Mehdi Salehi’s Body Buried under Strict Security Measures

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Haroon Al-Rashidi, Khomeini Shahr, Mehdi Salehi, Yazdanshahr Cemetery

This morning, April 15, 2022, the body of political prisoner Mehdi Salehi was buried in Yazdanshahr Cemetery under tough security measures. Salehi’s death did not trigger an investigation and there was no official announcement about the cause of his death. 

During the 2018 protests in Khomeini Shahr City, Salehi was arrested and subsequently sentenced to death for crimes he never confessed to. Recently, he died suspiciously in prison health facility in Dastgerd prison in Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Friday morning, Mehdi Salehi’s Body was buried in a cemetery in Yazdangerd under strict security measures.

One of his family members told HRANA that “his family’s frequent inquiries remained unanswered by the authorities. Ultimately, the security forces moved his body to Yazdanshahr cemetery and buried him. They informed the family about the funeral just one hour before the burial. The authorities threatened the family to keep Salehi’s ordeal a secret and  to guarantee the family’s silence in the matter, held his brother, Mehdi Salehi in custody during the funeral.”

During nationwide protests that broke out in December 2017 and continued into 2018, many people were killed by the regime forces, including Asghar Haroon Al-Rashidi who was shot dead in Khomeini Shahr in January  2018. His family filed a complaint against the IRGC forces, Basij and the police. Thereafter, on November 3, 2019, some of Haroon Al-Rashidi’s friends including Mehdi Salehi were arrested by security forces for taking part in the protests.

On February 8, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Salehi to death (two times) on the charges of “enmity against God by using a firearm and shooting in public” and “using weapons of war (Kalashnikov rifle) against the regime forces during the unrest”. Salehi was also sentenced to 5 years in prison on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth by disturbing the public order and leading the insurrectionists.”

Mehdi Salehi never accepted these allegations. In a statement, he claimed that he had witnessed when Haroon Al-Rashidi was shut in the back by the regime forces.

Salehi was also injured by a pallet gun bullet in his head when he was trying to help Haroon Al-Rashidi.

Mehdi Salehi was 38 years old, married and father of a nine-years girl.

 

Journalist Yashar Soltani Acquitted of Charges

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Yashar Soltani

Recently, the Press Court, following the overturn of an initial verdict against Yashar Soltani by the Supreme Court of Iran, acquitted him in a retrial.

Soltani is a journalist and the director of Memari News who had previously broken the news of widespread corruption. 

In 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to five years in prison and prohibited him from journalistic activism on the internet.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist Yashar Soltani was acquitted of the charges in a retrial by the press court.

In February of 2020, Mr Soltani was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to five years in prison and  prohibition on media activities on the internet on the charge of “disturbing public opinion.”

On December 21, 2019, Mr Soltani was summoned by the court in regards to a lawsuit filed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the former mayor of Tehran.

In February of 2021, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s lawyer, Ali Asghar Ghahremani said that Mr. Soltani has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.

Thirteen Citizens Arrested and Accused of Impurity and Prostitution 

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Moral Security Police, Yasuj

Deputy attorney of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Yasuj announced the arrest of 13 citizens for what he called “provoking and provision of indecency and prostitution.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA, thirteen citizens were arrested and accused of provoking indecency.

Deputy attorney of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Yasuj, Hamid Naderian claimed:

“The Moral Security Police of the province identified the place where the activities tainted with indecency and prostitution in an organized manner were taking place. By the order of the prosecutor of the Public and Revolutionary Court, in an operation, the inhabitants who were accommodated in groups and in several apartments were arrested.”

“These individuals have been charged with prostitution and severe punishment up to 10 years imprisonment awaits them. Also, by the order of the prosecutor, the building is closed until further notice.”

The Moral Security Police is a sub-branch of the Intelligence and Public Security Police that acts as an Islamic religious police center.

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
HRANA, HRANA Recap, weekly recap

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran. Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations.

Saturday, April 9

In two separate protests, a number of student parents gathered before the Ministry of Education in Ahvaz and Bandar-Abbas to protest against holding in-person classes, which according to these parents will increase the risk of contracting Covid-19.

 

A group of the medical staff of Kurdistan Province held protests before the Governorate building in Sanandaj city. They said: “For several years, we have been working with temporary contracts. During Covid pandemics, they promised to sign with us official contracts which has not yet taken place. Now that pandemics are going to end, they don’t pay attention to our demands anymore.”

On the same day also, in Sabzevar city, the medical staff of the University of Medical Sciences of this city held protests with the same demand.

A number of environmental activists gathered before the Department of Environment in Tehran to protest against setting up a petrochemical factory in the protected habitat Miankaleh located in Mazandaran Province. Set up in March in the presence of the Minister of Interior, this project has raised widespread criticism from environmental activists as well as the Department of Environment.

A number of dental residents of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences gathered before the university department to ask for their scholarships which have not been paid.

Sunday, April 10

In Karaj, Qazvin, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Tabriz, Khorramabad, Kerman, Ilam, Ahvaz, Rasht and Arak, a number of retirees of the Social Security Organization held protests before the building of this organization. They asked for raising the pension to stand above the poverty line, closing wage disparities and addressing the issues of supplementary insurance and paying the end of year bonuses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dozens of people who lost their money by fraudulent acts in a cryptocurrency network known as “King Money”, run by the Baadraan Gostaran Company, held protests before the Public Affairs Building of the Judiciary in Tehran. They asked for compensation for their financial losses and the prosecution of the fraudsters.

The workers of Kian Tire Manufacturing Company gathered before the Presidential Administration to protest against the factory closure. They asked the authorities to make decisions on the assignment of factory ownership so that they can get back to work.

Monday, April 11

Some of the personnel of the National Iranian South Oil Company gathered before this company headquarter to ask for an increase in work shifting duration from 8 to 12 hours as it was during the pandemic.

A group of medical staff (Known as Health Defenders) of Lorestan Province gathered before the governorate building in Khorramabad to ask for official contracts.

A number of medical students gathered before the Ministry of Health in Tehran to protest against the flaws in holding the pre-internship exam. According to these students, there were many mistakes in the questions.

A number of the applicants of the National Housing Plan gathered before the governorate building in Qorveh city located in Kurdistan Province to protest against the assigned lands, which are lying on stone quarries and hence unfit for housing and construction.

A number of farmers in Isfahan gathered in front of the governorate building in Isfahan to ask for their demands including their water rations.

 

Tuesday, April 12

In Shiraz, Arak, Ahvaz, Tehran, Isfahan, Abadan, Ardabil, Shahin-Shahr, Kermanshah and Tabriz, the retirees of the National Iranian Oil Company gathered before the pension fund of this company to ask for their demands including closing disparities in wages.

 

 

 

 

 

A group of the residents of the University of Medical Sciences of Tehran and Shiraz gathered before the university department to ask for raising the wages.

A group of the retirees of the Telecommunication Company gathered before the building of the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order in Tehran to ask for their demands. A video circulated on social media shows that this protest turned violent slightly due to police interference.

A group of medical staff working for the private sectors of the University of Medical Sciences of Tabriz held protests before the governorate building in Tabriz city. They demanded five months of wages that have been yet unpaid, removing the contractor companies and having official employment contracts.

A group of investors in the Caspian Credit Institution in Rasht City held protests against not receiving Bank account interest.

Wednesday, April 13

A number of taxi drivers went on strike in Urmia City in protest against poor living conditions and low fares.

A number of residents of Saravan City gathered before the governorate building to protest against the problems caused by the low voltage power supply. With such low voltage, they can hardly use cooling equipment on warm days.

Some residents of Qorveh County located in Kurdistan Province protested against building a factory on farmlands. They gathered at the construction site. One of the protestors stated: “the livelihood of hundreds of households depends on this farmlands and this construction project will endanger farmers’ livelihood in the region.”

A number of stallholders of the Tehran Central Fruit and Vegetable Market went on strike in protest against inflation. They complained that they had to sell fruits and vegetables at prices much lower than anywhere else in the free market.

 

 

Thursday, April 14

On Thursday, a number of members of the housing cooperation of Tractor Manufacturing Company held protests before the factory entrance in Tabriz. With placards in their hands, they demanded more transparency in investments and other activities.

About 400 workers of Kangan Petro Refining Company went on strike in protest against not receiving their wages. Reportedly, once their demands was not addressed, these workers left their job collectively.

Political Prisoner Mehdi Salehi Died In Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Haroon Al-Rashidi, Mehdi Salehi

Political prisoner Mehdi Salehi Gale’eh-Shahrokhi has died in prison. He was one of those arrested during the 2018 protests in Khomeini Shahr City and was sentenced to death.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Mehdi Salehi Gale’eh-Shahrokhi who was on death row has died in prison.

Confirming Mr Salehi’s death, an informed source close to his family stated: “When I  contacted the prison officials, they only confirmed that he passed away without mentioning the cause of death.”

“Some of his fellow inmates ascribed his death to a medical error of prison healthcare. However, so far no official clarification has been given to his family.”, he added.

During nationwide protests that broke out in December 2017 and continued into 2018, many people were killed by the regime forces, including Asghar Haroon Al-Rashidi who was shot dead in Khomeini Shahr in January  2018. His family filed a complaint against the IRGCforces, Basij and the police. Thereafter, on November 3, 2019, some of Haroon Al-Rashidi’s friends including Mehdi Salehi were arrested by security forces for taking part in the protests.

On February 8, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Salehi to death (two times) on the charges of “enmity against God by using a firearm and shooting in public” and “using weapons of war (Kalashnikov rifle) against the regime forces during the unrest”. He also was sentenced to 5 years in prison on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth to disturb the public order and leading the insurrectionists.”

Mehdi Salehi never accepted these allegations. In a statement, he claimed that he had witnessed when Haroon Al-Rashidi was shut in his back by the regime forces.

Salehi was also injured by a pallet gun bullet in his head when he was trying to help Haroon Al-Rashidi.

Mehdi Salehi was 38 years old, married and father of a nine-years girl.

 

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Twenty Seven Civil Activists Acquitted of Charges by Isfahan Public and Revolutionary Court

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Isfahan, Sakineh Ahmadi, Sardar Asaad Bakhtiar

Branch 18 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Isfahan acquitted 27 civil activists of the charges brought against them. Some of these individuals were arrested at Sardar Asaad Bakhtiar’s burial site, one of the prominent figures of the Persian Constitutional Revolution of  1905

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Public and Revolutionary Court of Isfahan acquitted 27 civil activists.

According to this order, 27 citizens have been acquitted of the charges of “propaganda against the regime, offensive statements against the Supreme Leader of Iran and other regime authorities, and disturbing public order.”

On April 7, 2021, the families of those who were killed during the 2019 widespread protests along with civil activists held a gathering at Sardar Asaad Bakhtiar’s burial site in Isfahan. The police raided and arrested some of them. They were released one day later.

During the police’s raid and arrest, Sakineh Ahmadi, one of the individuals who was arrested, lost consciousness. She is the mother of Ebrahim Ketabdar who was killed by security forces in Karaj during the November 2019 protests.

Ahad Moloodi and Hossein Khelyani Sentenced to Imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Naqadeh

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Ahad Moloodi, Hossein Khelyani, Naqadeh

Recently, the Revolutionary Court of Naqadeh sentenced Ahad Moloodi and Hossein Khelyani to five months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News Outlet, Ahad Moloodi and Hossein Khelyani, the residents of two villages in Naqadeh County located in West Azerbaijan Province were sentenced to five months imprisonment.

In this report, an informed source stated that the citizens have been charged with “propaganda against the regime in favor of an anti-regime political party.”

On January 4, 2022, these individuals were arrested by security forces and released on bail six days later from a detention center in Naqdeh.

Political Prisoner Zahra Safai Denied Urgent Medical Treatment by Prison Officials

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Parastoo Moeini, Zahra Safai

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, despite prior agreement and a set appointment, prison officials denied dispatching the political prisoner Zahra Safai to a hospital. The denial was under the pretext of her disagreement with transfer with handcuff and foot cuffs. According to the State Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization’s rules, transferring the prisoners with foot cuffs except for prisoners of violent crimes is forbidden.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, through the obstruction of prison officials, political prisoner Zahra Safai was denied medical treatment.

Mrs Safai suffers from heart disease and has had angiography surgery in the past. Since September of last year, she has been dispatched several times to a hospital outside the prison. This time, the prison officials denied her access to urgent medical care.

On February 24, 2020, security forces arrested Zahra Safai and her daughter Parastoo Moeini in Tehran and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In April 2020, they were sent in exile to Qarchak Prison in Varamin City. On June 28, 2020, Mrs Safai was released on bail with the amount of 300 million tomans. However, on July 26 of that year, they increased the bail ten times and subsequently arrested and sent her back to Qarchak Prison when she could not provide the set bail.

In February of 2021, Branch 23 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Mrs Safai to 5 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and two years on the charge of “offensive statements against the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran”. As an additional punishment, she was banned from leaving the country and membership in any political parties or civil groups.

Zahra Safai has also faced arrest and conviction in 2006. Further, during the 1980’s she had been imprisoned for a while. Her father, Haji Safai was a well-known businessman who was executed on the charge of “advocacy for the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (the Mujahedin-e-Khalq or MEK)”.

Six Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Oshnavieh

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Ashkan Shakkak, Diako Khalili, Oshnavieh, Reza Eslmadoost, Saman Saroulzadeh, Sanaan Rasoulzadeh, Sina Aghazadeh

Last Sunday, April 10, 2022, security forces arrested six people in Oshaniveh County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Krudpa News Outlet, six people were arrested by security forces in Oshnavieh County.

The report identifies the arrestees as Reza Eslmadoost, Saman Saroulzadeh, Diako Khalili, Ashkan Shakkak, Sanaan Rasoulzadeh and Sina Aghazadeh, all residents of Nalous City located in Oshaniveh County in West Azerbaijan Province.

Reportedly, the security forces raided these individuals’ houses without showing an arrest warrant. They transferred them to a detention center in Urmia City. Later, Sina Aghazadeh was released on bail after a few hours of interrogation.

On March 30, 2022, the above-mentioned individuals were summoned and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence for participating in a gathering for the celebration of Nowruz. 

100 People Arrested; 85 Businesses Closed for Breaking Ramadan Rules

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
fasting rules, Gilan province, Ramadan

Deputy Police Chief of Gilan Province announced that so far, since the beginning of the month of Ramadan, they have shut down 85 shops and arrested 100 people for breaking the mandatory fasting rules, namely serving food, eating, and drinking in public. Also, 1500 citizens have received warning notices for breaking these rules.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mehr News Agency, Deputy Police Chief of Gilan reported the indictment of175 businesses and the arrest of 100 people for breaking the Ramadan fasting rules.

According to the Deputy Police Chief, “During this time, more than 85 businesses have been closed and 1000 individuals who were eating and drinking in public received warning from the authorities, of which 400 people were forced to sign a  commitment letter attesting to not to breaking the Ramadan rules.” 

Earlier, Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri, Prosecutor-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a letter asked the commander chief of police for preventive measures against those who break the rules of Ramadan and do not respect Sharia laws.

Eating and drinking during the month of Ramadan have not been explicitly criminalized in Iranian laws. Based on Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, committing an act that the Islamic jurisprudence considers Haram (forbidden) can be subject to a penalty of either ten days to two months imprisonment or flogging of up to 74 lashes.