Category: News

Two Iranian-British Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori Freed and Reunited with Their Families 

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Anoosheh Ashoori, Iranian-British Citizen, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, two Iranian-British Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori left Iran and returned to the UK. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, once the ban on leaving the country was lifted and she received her passport from the regime’s authorities, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe returned to the UK and reunited with her family.

 Iranian British citizen Anoosheh Ashoori who had been released from jail on that day was allowed to leave Iran with Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe. 

In April of 2016, Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe was arrested at Imam Khomeini International Airport by IRGC’s agents prior to boarding a plane back to the U.K. In September 2016, she was sentenced to five years imprisonment. On March 17, 2020, she was released on furlough with an electronic tag. In March of 2021, after serving the full term of five years sentencing, she was released from jail.

In May of 2021, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran opened a new case, sentencing Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe to another year in prison and banning from leaving Iran.  In October of 2021, this verdict was upheld on appeal. 

Anooshe Ashoori is a 67 years old Iranian-British citizen and an aeronautical engineer who was arrested in 2017 when he traveled to Iran to visit his mother. According to the Spokesman of the Judiciary, he was charged with spying for Israel and the acquisition of illegitimate property and thereafter sentenced to 12 years in prison and was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of 33000 euros.

 

Two Citizens Killed By Police’s Unruly Shooting

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Dalahoo, killed by police shooting, Pouria Rezai, Soorat Sayyadi

Last Sunday, March 13, 2022, two residents of a village in Dalahoo County of the Kermanshah Province were shot dead by the police near the Mausoleum of Baba-Yadegar.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the police killed two citizens identified as Pouria Rezai, age 24, and her mother Soorat Sayyadi in Dalahoo County.

According to an informed source, the police began to shoot towards the two individuals in the vehicle without any warning. This mother and son had been there to visit the Mausoleum of Baba-Yadegar.

HRANA’s annual human rights report has specifically documented cases in which military forces’ use of live ammunition against citizens has led to their injury or death.

According to the 2021 report, 242 citizens have been shot by the police and military forces, from which, 94 have lost their lives including 23 Kolbars, 31 Sukhtbar and 40 other citizens. The rest who have been injured include 81 Kolbars, 16 Sukhtbar and 51 other citizens.

Four Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Ahvaz 

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Abdolsadeh Azari, Ahvaz city, Hasan Nisi, Jome Naami, Mostafa Khosraji, religious gathering

Last Thursday, in Ahvaz city, four citizens were arrested by security forces during a religious gathering.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, March 10, 2022, the security forces arrested four citizens and transferred them to an unidentified location in Ahvaz

HRANA has identified the arrestees as Abdolsadeh Azari, age 69, Jome Naami, age 63, Hasan Nisi, age 66 and Mostafa Khosraji, age 35. According to an informed source, they were arrested during a religious gathering at Mr. Naami’s house.

The reason for the arrest, the charges and the individuals’ whereabouts are still unknown.

 

Arezoo Rahimkhani and Ramin Biranvand Sentenced Each to One Year In Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Arezoo Rahimkhani, Ramin Biranvand

Last Sunday, Arezoo Rahimkhani, the professor who had been fired from her job earlier at the Islamic Azad University of Andimeshk, and her husband, Ramin Biranvand were sentenced each to one year in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, March 13, 2022, based on Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Dezful sentenced Arezoo Rahimkhani and her husband, Ramin Biranvand each to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The court session had been held on March 9, 2022.

On June 29, 2021, the agents of the Security Base Abolfazl Al-Abbas arrested these citizens at their house in Andimeshk city and transferred them to an unidentified location. At the time of the arrest, they searched their house and confiscated some of their personal belongings such as computers and cell phones. These citizens were accused of “propaganda against the regime” due to visiting and leaving flowers on the burial places of the political prisoners who were executed in the 1980s by the Iranian regime. On July 27, 2021, They were released on bail.

Prior to the arrest, Arezoo Rahimkhani was fired from the university.  An informed source told HRANA, “Last month, they notified her verbally that she had been fired. After several inquiries, she was still not handed any termination letter due to the confidentiality of the matter. However, her salary had been cut since last summer.”

Baha’i Citizen Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei Jailed in Evin Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizen, Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei

Last Sunday, March 13, 2022, Baha’i citizen Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei was sent to Evin Prison to serve his two-year sentence. Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Shahram Najaf-Tomaraei was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing.

On November 25, 2015, the security forces arrested him and after a while released him on bail for the duration of legal proceedings. During the arrest, the agents searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Ultimately, in December of 2019, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

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.

Freedom of 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 practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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Inmate Executed in Urmia Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Drug-related crimes, Ebrahim Nasirkhah, Execution

On Monday, March 14, 2022, an inmate who had been previously convicted for drug-related crimes was executed in Urmia prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, On Monday, March 14, 2022, an inmate identified as Ebrahim Nasirkhah, who is approximately 45 years old, was executed in Urmia Prison. One day before the execution, he was sent to solitary confinement.

According to an informed source, this inmate had been jailed for three years. He was taken to be executed twice, but each time the execution was halted for unknown reasons.

This execution has not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran at the time of writing.

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.

Student Activist Hasti Amiri Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Additional Punishments

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Hasti Amiri, International Women's Day, Student activist

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Hasti Amiri, the law student at Allameh Tabataba’i University, to one year in prison and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Emtedad News, Hasti Amiri was sentenced to one year in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” 

In addition, her cell phone was confiscated, and she was told that she was prohibited from membership in political and civil rights groups, including such activities on the internet, and she was banned from attending student gatherings for two years. 

The court exonerated her from the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

According to Ms. Amiri’s lawyer, a published photo showing her in a student gathering for the celebration of Women’s Day on March 8 of last year, as well as her statements on social media against capital punishment have been used as evidence for the above-mentioned charges.

The legal case was opened against her last year, but the security and judicial officials did not take action until January 3 of 2022, when the NAJA Public Security Police raided her house to arrest her. Since she was not at home, they told her family that she has to appear at Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse.

Ms. Amiri was arrested on the day of the court appearance and spent one day in detention. One day after, she was released on bail of 500 million tomans.

Baha’i Citizen Shahnaz Sabet Arrested and Sent to Adel-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Adel-Abad Prison, Bahais, Religious_Minorities, Shahnaz Sabet

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, Baha’i citizen Shahnaz Sabet was arrested by security forces and transferred to Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz city.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday, March 12, 2022, Iranian Bahai citizen Shahnaz Sabet was arrested and sent to Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz for her sentencing.

According to an informed source close to Ms Sabet, while she was still awaiting the final verdict of the Supreme Court of Iran, they arrested her and took her to prison. Ms Sabet suffers from severe back pain and kidney stone, which raises concerns about her health conditions in prison.

On September 1, 2019, the security forces arrested Shahnaz Sabet at her house in Shiraz. After a while, she was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. At the time of the arrest, the agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings.

On May 10, 2020, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced her to six years imprisonment on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in anti-regime groups.”

In July of 2020, in a trial in absentia, the Court of Appeals of Shiraz reduced the sentence to two years in prison.

On October 12, 2020, she was arrested to serve her sentencing. On May 2, 2021, she was released temporary from prison after the approval of her request for a retrial by the Supreme Court of Iran.

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.

Freedom of 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 practice religion freely, freedom of converting to a religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Former Political Prisoner Mehrdad Mohammadnejad Arrested in Shahriar City

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
#detained_Iranian_student, #freedom_of_expression, Mehrdad Mohammadnejad

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, the security forces arrested former political prisoner Mehrdad Mohammadnejad at his house in Shahriar city and transferred him to an unidentified location. The agents also searched the house and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, On Saturday, March 12, 2022, former political prisoner Mehrdad Mohammadnejad was arrested by security forces in Shahriar city.

Confirming the arrest, his parent told HRANA, “ten agents took him without stating any reasons or charges against him. At the time of arrest, they searched the house and confiscated some of his belongings, including his cell phone and tablet.”

“After an inquiry from the judicial authorities in Shahriar city, we were told that we have to go to the Evin courthouse. During his imprisonment, Mehrdad got cervical disc issues and since then he has had sleeping problems. Spending time in detention makes it worse for him”, according to Mohammadnejad’s parents.

The reason for the arrest, the charges and his whereabouts are still unknown.

Earlier on October 21, 2018, Mohammadnejad was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) agents at his house in Shahriar and transferred to Evin prison. Then, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years on the charge of “offensive statements against the regime officials and authorities,” and one year for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” This verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals. On January 22, 2020, he was sent from Evin prison to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary to start this sentencing. On May 2, 2020, he was granted early release while he was on furlough.

Mehrdad Mohammadnejad is 26 years old and an economics student at the Islamic Azad University of Central Tehran.

 

Political Prisoner Firooz Musaloo Sentenced to Death

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Citizen death sentence, Death Penalty, Firooz Musaloo, Urmia prison

Recently, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced the political Prisoner Firooz Musaloo to death.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the political prisoner, Firooz Musaloo, the resident of Khoy city has been sentenced to death.

According to the verdict issued recently, he has been found guilty of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) and membership in one of the anti-regime political parties.”

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

On June 20, 2020, he was again sent to the detention center for interrogation and on June 27 of that year was sent back to Urmia Prison.