Category: News

Yousef Amini Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Oshnavieh, Yousef Amini

The Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh sentenced Yousef Amini to two years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Yousef Amini, a resident of Oshnavieh was sentenced to two years in prison. He had been charged with “collaboration with political opposition parties.”

On Sunday, March 27, 2022, the verdict was issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh headed by Judge Rezai. The court session was held on February 26, 2022.

On January 24, 2022, the security forces arrested and transferred Mr. Amini to a detention center in Oshnavieh.

Political Prisoner Soheila Hejab Goes on Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Correctional Center of Kermanshah, Gharchak prison, Hunger Strike, Soheila Hejab

In an open letter, political prisoner Soheila Hejab announced that she has gone on hunger strike following being beaten by prison guards and having the right to family visitation taken away. She is currently serving her sentence in the Correctional Center of Kermanshah.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Soheila Hejab went on hunger strike in the Correctional Center of Kermanshah.

In an open letter, Hejab mentioned the reasons for going on hunger strike. She said the fact that the prison officials did not allow her to go on furlough and receive medical care made her go on strike, “I have no choice but to go on hunger strike once again,” she wrote.

According to an informed source close to Ms. Hejab, on Monday, March 28, prison guards beat her and stopped her from visiting her family while they were waiting for her in the visiting room.

Hejab was arrested by security forces on June 1, 2019, and subsequently released from Evin Prison in Tehran on a bail of 3 billion tomans on March 14, 2020.

Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced her to 18 years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime”, “illegal assembly”, “incitement of public opinions to riot” and “organizing unlawful political groups”.

On May 23, 2020, the intelligence unit of the Revolutionary Guards arrested and transferred Ms. Hejab to Gharchak Prison in Varamin City to serve her sentence. She was then transferred to Sanandaj Prison and then, on January 7, to the Correctional Center of Kermanshah City.

Azerbaijani Turk Activist Yousef Salahshour Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Yousef Salahshour

Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz sentenced Azerbaijani Turk Activist Yousef Salahshour to one year in prison, two years ban from leaving the country and two years prohibition of social and political activities on social media.  

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Azerbaijani Turk Activist Yousef Salahshour was sentenced to one year in prison and additional punishments.

 Salahshour’s lawyer, Asghar Mohammadi was informed about the verdict.

Recently Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals had dropped the second charge in this case, of which he had been sentenced to 37 lashes and a fine by Branch 111 of the Criminal Court.

On July 25 of 2021, Yousef Salahshour was arrested by intelligence agents and transferred to the detention center of the Ministry of Intelligence in Tabriz. On August 11, in a phone call, Salahshouri informed his family that he had been transferred to Tabriz Prison. He was released on bail on August 14. Then on October 3,  the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz held the first court session.

On July 24, a number of citizens in Tabriz marched and protested in support of the widespread Khuzestan uprising against water shortages and government mismanagement. During the protests, a number of these citizens, including Mr. Salahshour were arrested.

Two Defendants Sentenced to Public Executions in Isfahan

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Isfahan, Public executions

Recently, the Criminal and Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced two citizens to public executions for murdering a police officer.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tabnak News Agency, two citizens identified with their initials, as Mohammad Q, age 38, and Sadegh M, age 25, were sentenced to public execution in Isfahan.

Confirming that this verdict has been issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan as well as the Criminal Court of this province, Fooladshahr’s Chief Justice, Mashoudifar stated: “these citizens are accused of killing a police officer, Ehsan Nasiri, during a fight.”

Since the verdict was issued in a short time, “the verdict is appealable and the defendants or their lawyer can make an appeal to the Supreme Court of Iran,” he added.

Iran has one of the highest numbers of executioners in the world. Public executions by hanging are also commonplace since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. From March 21, 2021, to March 16, 2022, at least 333 people were executed, including 12 women and 3 juvenile offenders who were under the age of 18 at the time of committing the crime. In addition, the courts sentenced 105 defendants to the death penalty. 

Jailed Conscript Soldier Akbar Hosseini Still in Detention in Tabriz Prison  

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Hosseini, Jailed Conscript Soldier

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the conscript soldier, Mir-Akbar Hosseini is still detained in Ward 6 of Tabriz Prison.

Reportedly, he is still in detention since he is unable to afford bail.

According to an informed source, Hosseini has been accused of “propaganda against the regime” due to his activities on social media.

Mir-Akbar Hosseini has other arrests and convictions on his rap sheet due to his civil activities. On January 5, 2022, following his support of the Mothers whose children were killed by the regime during the nationwide 2019 protests, he was arrested by Branch 1 of the Military Court in East Azerbaijan Province. He was sentenced to 9 months in prison on the charge of “membership in groups hostile to the regime” and 4 months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” On April 19, 2021, he was released on probation. 

According to an informed source, during detention, Hosseini was held in solitary confinement and was tortured to make confessions.

  

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

British-American National Morad Tahbaz on Eight Day of Hunger Strike   

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Morad Tahbaz

British-American national Morad Tahbaz who has been jailed for his activities as an environmentalist is still on a hunger strike after eight days. Earlier, his family was informed that he had been sent to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, March 27, 2022, after eight days, the detained British-American national is still on hunger strike.

Mr Tahbaz was released from Evin Prison on furlough on March 16, 2022. According to his family, the Iranian regime made a deal to allow him to go back to the U.K. along with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori. Similarly, on March 16, 2022, British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss was optimistic that “Morad Tahbaz has also been released from prison on furlough, as a result of tenacious and creative British diplomacy.” Nonetheless, two days later, while Mr. Tahbaz was on furlough, the security forces arrested and sent him back to Evin prison.

Morad Tahbaz has been in prison since 2018. Along with seven other defendants of a legal case known as the case of environmentalists, he was convicted by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court. The court sentenced Morad Tahbaz and Niloofar Bayani each to 10 years in prison, Taher Ghadirian and Houman Jokar each to 8 years, Amir-Hossein Khaleghi, Sam Rajabi and Sepideh Kashani each to 6 years, and Aborlreza Koohpayeh to 4 years in prison. Morad Tahbaz was charged with “collaboration and receiving money from the US government.”

 

The Latest Update on Political Prisoner Ahmad Yazdanipour’s Condition

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Ahmad Yazdanipour

Political Prisoner Ahmad Yazdanipour is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He has been in prison since February 2021. He suffers from Steroid-resistant asthma and for that reason, according to his doctor, he should not be kept in confined spaces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Political Prisoner Ahmad Yazdanipour is serving his sentence in Evin prison. This imprisonment endangers his health since he is suffering from steroid-resistant asthma.

An informed source told HRANA that “Mr. Ahmad Yazdanipour’s disease has worsened in recent years as his lungs are seriously damaged. According to his doctor, continuing his imprisonment can pose life-threatening risks for him.”

On February 21, 2020,  Ahmad Yazdanipour was arrested by IRGC’s intelligence agents in Tehran and transferred to Evin prison. One day after the arrest, intelligence agents raided and searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings such as books and manuscripts. They also arrested his daughter, Forouzan Yazdanipour, who is a graduate student at Tehran University. On March 18, 2020, she was released on bail of 500 million tomans from Evin Prison and later the charges were dropped.

On April 6, 2020, Ahmad Yazdanipour was released on bail of 500 million tomans as well. After a while, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to three years and nine months on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

On January 26, 2021, after the appearance at Evin’s Enforcement of Judgments Unit, he was arrested and sent to Evin for his sentencing.

Ahmad Yazdanipour, age about 63, was a political prisoner in the 1980s. He lost his job due to the pressures from the Ministry of Intelligence for his non-violent civil activities. In recent years, he was researching the Quran and Iran’s history.

 

Five Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 13 Years in Prison in Oshnavieh

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Maroufi, Jalal Ghaderzadeh, Obeid Anvari, Oshnavieh, Ribwar Charakdari

The Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh sentenced Rahman Aasadi, Farhad Maroufi, Obeid Anvari, Ribwar Charakdari, and Jalal Ghaderzadeh to a total of 13 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, five residents of Oshnavieh County were sentenced by the Revolutionary Court.

According to this verdict, issued on Saturday, March 26, Rahman Asadi was sentenced to 4 years, Farhad Maroufi and Jalal Ghaderzadeh each to 3 years, Obeid Anvari to 2 years, Ribwar Charakdari to 1 year in prison. These individuals have been charged with “membership and collaboration with a political opposition party.”

On August 2, 2021, security forces arrested the above-mentioned and they were subsequently released on bail over the next two months.

Ribwar Charakdari is a resident of Oshnavieh city and the rest are the residents of the village Aliabad in Oshnavieh County.

One Kolbar Killed in Direct Shooting by Iran’s Military

Posted on by A MN
News, Other

On Friday, March 25, 2022, the military forces killed a kolbar (Cross Border Carrier) through direct shooting at the border areas of Baneh County, located in Kurdistan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kordpa, a kolbar was shot dead by military forces.

He has been identified as Rostam Khezri, age 25, married and a resident of Oshnavieh.

Reportedly, the military forces opened fire against him without any warning.

According to HRANA’s annual report, during the period of March 21 of 2021, and March 16 of 2022, a total of 203 citizens were shot by the regime’s military forces. In these incidents, 91 people were shot dead including 26 Kolbars (Cross Border Carriers), 13 Sukhtbar (Fuel Border Carriers), and 52 other civilians. 112 people were injured, of the injured, 82 people were Kolbars, 12 Sukhtbar, and 18 other civilians.

Additionally, 34 Kolbars were affected by climate and geographic factors such as frostbite and falling from heights. In these accidents, 21 Kolbars were injured and 13 ultimately died.

 

Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni Denied Phone Calls in Prison As a Punishment for Celebrating Nowruz

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners

Evin prison officials denied imprisoned writer and journalist Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni the right to make telephone calls in prison as he was serving time for celebrating Nowruz. This punitive measure was taken in violation of prison rules, which could be referred to the Prison Disciplinary Council.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Evin prison officials denied Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni of making telephone calls in violation of prison rules and as a punishment for celebrating Nowruz.

According to an informed source, since last Tuesday, March 22, he was denied his rights on the pretext of participating in and making a speech at a Nowruz celebration held by the prisoners.

HRANA has been informed that Hamzeh Darvish, the Sunni prisoner in Lakan Prison, has also been denied the right to make phone calls.

Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni was arrested and interrogated after he was summoned to the Branch 2 of Evin’s prosecutor’s office on May 8, 2019. He was later temporarily released from Evin Prison on a bail amount of 300 million tomans.

Boroujeni’s trial was on July 28, 2019. According to the verdict ordered by the Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, which was presided over by judge Mohammad Moghiseh, Boroujeni was sentenced to five years imprisonment on a charge of “assembly and collusion with an intention to commit a crime against the national security”, one year imprisonment for the charge of “propaganda against the regime”,  and two years imprisonment on a charge of “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic”, adding up to a total of eight years. This sentence was later reduced to seven years after the charge of “propaganda against the regime” was dropped upon appeal.

Boroujeni has been conducting research on neoliberalism and the political economy of Iran and has written several articles on these subjects in recent years. His essay “Critique of Neoliberalism” was published by H&S Media Publishing Company in the UK. His other book, “Globalization and Inequality”, was published by Porsesh Publishing Company in 2011.