Category: News

Civil Activist Farideh Moradkhani Still in Detention after Three Months

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Farideh Moradkhani, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

After three months, civil activist Farideh Moradkhani is still detained in an uncertain condition in a solitary confinement cell in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On January 13, 2022, intelligence agents in Tehran arrested Mrs Moradkhani.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, civil activist Farideh Moradkhani was still in unlawful detention awaiting further legal proceedings in Evin prison.

On January 13, 2022, she was arrested by security forces while returning to her house. At the time of her arrest, the intelligence agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings. One day after, in a phone call, she informed her family that she was detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

The reason for this arrest and the charges she has faced are still unknown.

She had also been arrested on previous occasions due to her civil activities.

 

Political Prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna Returned to Evin Prison after Medical Furlough

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

Last Monday, April 4, political prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna returned to Evin Prison upon the end of her furlough. She had been on furlough for treatment as her health condition became worse following intestinal bleeding in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Fatemeh Mosanna returned to Evin prison after a medical furlough. Prior to furlough, she was denied adequate medical treatment in prison.

On August 19, 2020, Fatemeh Mosanna was dispatched to a hospital outside the prison when she fainted due to intestinal bleeding. By the order of Amin Vaziri, the Special Assistant to Political Prisoners, she was handcuffed to her bed and was forcefully sent back to the quarantine section of prison without finishing the treatment. At the time, she was not granted medical furlough under the pretext of unavailability of test results, as proof of her requirement for treatment. On September 8 of 2021, she was hospitalized again as her health condition further declined. One day after doing tests, the officials sent her back again to prison.

On January 28, 2013, along with her husband, Hassan Sadeghi, Mosanna was arrested by security forces while they were at the funeral of Sadeghi’s father. Their daughter and son, who is a minor, were also arrested and interrogated. The children were released after three days and 45 days respectively.

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.

On September 30, 2015, Mosanna was arrested and sent to Evin Prison to endure her sentence. On February 7, 2016, Sadeghi was arrested and sent to Rajai Shahr Prison after he went to Evin Prison to visit his wife.

 

Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi Sentenced to Imprisonment

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Heidar Alizadeh, Oshnavieh, Shirzad Mamandi

Following mass convictions against some residents of Oshnavieh County in West Azerbaijan Province, Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of this County sentenced Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi to a total of 6 years imprisonment. These individuals had been arrested in late August of 2021 and subsequently were released on bail. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News Outlet, Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi were sentenced respectively to four and two years imprisonment on the charge of “collaboration with an anti-regime party”. This verdict was issued last Tuesday, April 5.

On August 29, 2021, security forces arrested and detained them in a detention center in Urmia. At the time of arrest, the agents searched their houses and confiscated some of their belongings including their phones. In October of last year, they were released on bail.

Abdollah Childavi Arrested in Ahvaz City

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Childavi, Saleh Tamuli, Sheiban Prison

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Abdollah Childavi, a resident of Ahvaz city. The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz had previously sentenced him to five years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Abdollah Childavi in Ahvaz city.

Earlier, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz had sentenced him to five years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in anti-regime groups”. In this case, another defendant, Saleh Tamuli was sentenced to 3 years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security.” This case had been handed over to Branch 8 of the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Ahvaz for enforcement.  

On November 6, 2018, security forces arrested them and sent the two individuals to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz after completing the interrogation process. Mr. Tamuli was released on September 7, 2019, and Mr. Childavi on October 6, 2020.

Abdollah Childavi is 43 years old and the father of four.

Reza Khandan Mahabadi Returned to Evin Prison after Furlough

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Iranian Writers Association, Reza Khandan Mahabadi

On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Reza Khandan Mahabadi, prisoner of conscience, writer and member of the Iranian Writers Association (IWA) returned to prison after a furlough. On December 21, 2021, following the worsening of his Covid-19 symptoms, Khandan was hospitalized and after four days, he was granted a medical furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Reza Khandan Mahabadi went back to Evin prison at the end of his furlough.

On December 21, Reza Khandan Mahabadi was dispatched from Evin Prison to a hospital outside the prison after his COVID-19 symptoms became worse. On December 25, 2021, through the formal request of his lawyer and family, he was granted a medical furlough.

Earlier, he and another IWA’s member, Baktash Abtin, tested positive for Covid-19. On January 8, Baktash Abtin died at the hospital due to his worsening conditions and the prison’s medical negligence.

Mahabadi was sentenced on May 15, 2019, by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghayeseh. His sentence included one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and five years on the charge of “assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against national security”. On September 26, 2020, he was arrested and sent to Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

Mahabadi’s career as a writer kicked off in 1978 with the publication of his book “Local Children”. Some of his publications include “Nothing Comes Out of the Sack, ExceptWhat Was In It”, a seven-volume story collection called “My Favorite Stories”, a collection of research titled “Razi War”, and the 19-volume fiction collection “Encyclopedia of Iranian Legends and Fairy Tales” (co-author Ali Ashraf Darvishian).

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Political Prisoner at Urmia Prison Mehdi Sane-Farshi Goes on Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Mehdi Sane Farshi, Urmia prison

On Monday, April 4, 2022, political prisoner Mehdi Sane-Farshi went on hunger strike in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mehdi Sane-Farshi, imprisoned in Urmia prison, went on hunger strike in protest against increasing pressure on political prisoners and confiscating his personal belongings in prison.

On August 17, 2020, Mehdi Saneh-Farshi who had been back from Turkey to visit his mother was arrested by Intelligence agents and transferred to a detention centre under the Ministry of Intelligence’s control. On September 11, 2020, he was transferred to Urmia Prison after the interrogation ended.

On November 12, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced Sane-Farshito to 5 years and 6 months in prison on the charges of “collaboration with one of anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.” This verdict was upheld by Branch 1 of the Court of Appeals of West Azerbaijan Province.

Mehdi Saneh-Farshi, age 44, is currently held in Urmia prison in the political prisoners’ ward.

Amin Ansarifar and Arman Ansarifar Sentenced to Imprisonment and Not Allowed to Leave the Country

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Ansarifar, Arman Ansarifar, Farzad Ansarifar, Fereshteh Tabanian

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Amin Ansarifar and Arman Ansarifar each to three years imprisonment and five years ban from leaving the country. Amin and Arman Ansarifar are the father and brother of Farzad Ansarifar who was killed by regime forces during the 2019 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Amin Ansarifar and Arman Ansarifar were sentenced to three months in prison and five years ban from leaving the country by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr.

The Court session had been held on March 14, 2022, via a video conference with their lawyer, Fereshteh Tabanian. Two days after the court session, they were released on bail of 150 million tomans.

On February 19, 2022, Amin Ansarifar was summoned by Behbahan’s Public and Revolutionary Court and arrested when he appeared. The next day, his son, Arman was arrested by security forces at his home in Behbahan city. According to an informed source, Arman has been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and his father with “promotion of anti-regime groups and political parties.” They have been denied family visitation since the arrest.

During the protests of November 2019 in Behbahan City, security forces used live ammunition against protestors, leading to the death of several protestors including Mehrdad Dashinia, Mahmood Dashtinia, Farzad Ansarifar, Mohammad-Hossein Ghanavati,  and Mohammad Hashamdar.

Five Citizens Including a Minor Arrested in Piranshahr

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Erfan Zolfinia, Kooyar Eliasi, Mansour Kani-Rashi, Parisa Sepahi, Piranshahr, Yousef Heshrati

Last Sunday, April 3, 2022, the security forces arrested five citizens, including a 17 years old female teen in Piranshahr. They were transferred to a detention center for interrogation.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the five individuals identified as Parisa Sepahi, age 17, Kooyar Eliasi, age 18, Erfan Zolfinia, age 18, Yousef Heshrati, age 22 and Mansour Kani-Rashi, age 32, were arrested in Piranshahr County by security forces.

Reportedly, the security forces did not show any warrant during the arrest.

The reason for these arrests and the charges are still unknown.

14 Businesses Closed for Serving Food During Ramadan

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Ahmadreza Ahmadian, Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri, Ramadan, Ramadan rules

The Public Security Police of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran (NAJA) announced the closure of 14 restaurants and snack bars for serving food during the holy month of Ramadan in Lorestan Province. Moreover, three citizens were arrested for breaking the mandatory fasting rules, as eating and drinking in public during Ramadan is forbidden.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting IRIB News Agency, in Lorestan Province 14 businesses were shut down due to serving food during Ramadan.

The Head of Public Security Police of NAJA, Ahmadreza Ahmadian stated:

“Following an action plan to surveil businesses during the month of Ramadan, 14 businesses were closed due to breaking the fasting rules and serving food to people. Also, 124 businesses received warning notice for failure to observe Ramadan rules.”

Additionally, three citizens were arrested for eating and drinking in public.

Earlier, Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri, Prosecutor-General of Iran in a letter asked the chief commander 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, however, 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 for up to 74 lashes.

Four Women’s Rights Activists Summoned for Sentencing

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Women
Akram Nasirian, Asrin Darkaleh, Maryam Mohammadi, Nahid Shaghaghi

Four women’s rights activists, Nahid Shaghaghi, Akram Nasirian, Maryam Mohammadi and Asrin Darkaleh were summoned by the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin courthouse for sentencing. According to the summons letter, they have to appear at the court within 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Four women’s rights activists, Akram Nasirian, Maryam Mohammadi and Asrin Darkaleh have been summoned for sentencing.

Akram Nasirian on April 29, 2019, Nahid Shaghaghi on May 15, 2019, Maryam Mohammadi on July 8, 2019, and Asrin Darkaleh on July 28, 2019, were arrested by security forces. They all were released on bail from May to August.

Subsequently, Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced each of these activists to 3 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security”, 6 months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 8 months on the charge of “removing Hijab in public”. Per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment of three years sentence on the first count was enforceable for each.

The sentencing was later reduced on appeal to two years and three months each.

These four activists are members of “Voice of Iranian Women”, striving for women’s empowerment and raising the voice of Iranian women.