Category: News

Seven Political Activists Sentenced to Total of 53 Years in Prison

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Prisoners
Bahareh Soleimani, Elham Samimi, Mehran Raouf, Mohammad Hajinia, Nafiseh Malekijoo, Nahid Taghavi, Nazanin Mohammadnejad, Somayeh Kargar

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political activists Nahid Taghavi, Mehran Raouf, Somayeh Kargar, Bahareh Soleimani, and Nazanin Mohammadnejad were sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison.

The other two defendants of the case, Nafiseh Malekijoo, and Mohammad Hajinia, were also sentenced in absentia. Ms. Malekijoo was sentenced to 6 years and nine months, and Mr. Hajiniya was sentenced to 8 years and eight months imprisonment.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, has sentenced the seven defendants to a total of 53 years and five months in prison on charges of “participating and administrating the Communist Party of Iran with the intention to disrupt security”, and “propaganda activities against the regime”.

Nafiseh Malekijoo and Mohammad Hajinia are currently living abroad. As of this writing, the status of the case of Elham Samimi, the eighth defendant of the case, is unknown.

The first session of the court hearing for these activists was held on April 28, and the second session was held on June 13.

Saba Kord Afshari Sent on 15 Day Leave from Qarchak Prison in Varamin

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Iman Afshari, Kord Afshari, Qarchak, Qarchak Prison, Raheleh Ahmadi, Saba Kord-Afshari, Varamin

Yesterday, imprisoned civil activist Saba Kord Afshari was sent on a 15-day leave from Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, yesterday, August 11, the activist was allowed medical leave after receiving a positive COVID test.

Saba Kord Afshari is a civil activist and prominent critic of the compulsory hijab in Iran. On September 5, 2019, Afshari  was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by judge Iman Afshari, to 15 years imprisonment for “promoting corruption and obscenity through appearing without a headscarf in public”,  and 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime” and 7 years and 6 months in prison for “assembly and collusion with an intent to commit a crime against national security” to a total of 24 years in prison along with other social deprivations, from which, after applying Article 134 and adjustment of the sentences, the most severe punishment of 7 years and 6 months in prison is enforceable to her.

On May 8 of this year, 22-year-old Kord Afshari began what would be a 10 day hunger strike to protest the increasing pressure on her family and family of fellow political prisoners, and to demand the release of her mother, Raheleh Ahmadi. Upon finishing her strike, the young activist said, in a statement, “I am fully aware that human lives are of no value to the Islamic Republic, so I am ending my hunger strike, but I am still seeking to fulfill my demands.”

Despite the widespread prevalence of COVID-19 within Iran’s prison system, inmates are frequently deprived of adequate and timely medical treatment.

Reza Asgharian Arrested by Security Forces in Sarab in East Azerbaijan Province

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
censorship, Reza Asgharian Sardhaei, Sarab, Sardhaei

Reza Asgharian Sardhaei, a native of Sarab, was recently detained by security forces and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Sardhaei is said to have been arrested for publishing information on an Instagram page.

The Sarab News also reported the arrest of the admins of an Instagram page in the city of Sarab, for publishing anti-religious and anti-revolutionary content.

As of this writing, no information is available on the charges against him or where he is being held.

Two Death Sentences Issued in Tehran

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News, Prisoners
Death Penalty, Death row, Death sentence, Death sentence issued, First Criminal Court of Tehran Province, Tehran

Two defendants were sentenced to death for separate murder charges by the Tenth Branch of the First Criminal Court of Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Shargh newspaper, a man named Reza was sentenced to death by the Tehran Criminal Court for a murder committed in 2019.

According to Rokna news, Yashar was sentenced to death by the Tehran Criminal Court for murder, also committed in 2019.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

Citizen Executed in Esfarayen City on Charge of Murder

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Executions, News
Capital Punishment, Citizen executed, Death Penalty, Death sentence, Esfarayen, Esfarayen City, iran death penalty

The death sentence of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death for murder was recently carried out in Esfarayen City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA, the prisoner had been sentenced to flogging and imprisonment in addition to the death sentence.

Regarding this case, Nader Nejad Aghdash, the Public Prosecutor of Esfarayen said, “After receiving the news of the disappearance of a 31-year-old woman in March 2018, a judicial case was filed and after a few days, the accused in this case was identified and arrested. The defendant confessed to the crime after his arrest”

Nejad Aghdash added, “Based on the available evidence, the most likely motive behind murder was the theft of the victim’s gold and jewelry. More so, after committing the crime, the accused mutilated and burned the body in order to get rid of the evidence.”

“After completing the various stages of the trial,” Nejad Aghdash added, “according to the lawsuit issued by the First Branch of the Criminal Court of North Khorasan Province, the accused was sentenced to death. He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison and 74 lashes for aggravated robbery, and 74 lashes for cutting off both legs and burning a corpse. ”

The initial verdict was upheld in Branch 13 of the Supreme Court and the death sentence was carried out.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

The report does not mention the identity of the prisoner or the exact location and date of the execution.

 

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Azerbaijani Turk Activists Mohammad Kazemi and Reza Shahrivar Transferred to Tabriz Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Prisoners
Azerbaijani Turk, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Mohammad Kazemi, Reza Shahrivar, Tabriz Prison

Azerbaijani Turk activists Mohammad Kazemi and Reza Shahrivar announced their transfer to Tabriz Prison during a telephone call with their families on Tuesday, August 10th.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammad Kazemi and Reza Shahrivar were arrested on July 27, 2021 by Ministry of Intelligence agents and were transferred to the detention center of this security institution in Tabriz.

These citizens were arrested on July 27, 2021 by Ministry of Intelligence agents and transferred to the detention center of this security institution in Tabriz. They have been living in the quarantine ward of Tabriz Prison since yesterday.

As of this writing, the reasons for the arrests and the charges against these citizens are unknown.

Two Inmates Executed in Kerman Prison on Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, Prisoners
Citizen executions, Citizens executed, Ebrahim ghanbarzehi, Kerman, Kerman prison, Nabi Noti Zehi, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Zahedan

Two prisoners who were previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in Kerman Prison yesterday morning, Monday, August 9.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting The Baloch Activists Campaign, the identities of the prisoners are Nabi Noti Zehi and Ebrahim Ghanbarzehi from Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

The execution of these prisoners has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.

Two Citizens Detained in Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province

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News
Ali Aziz-Zadeh, Arrest without warrant, Bukan, Citizen arrests, Citizens arrested, Rahimi, Rashid Rahimi, West Azerbaijan, Zadeh

Two citizens were recently detained by security forces in Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province and transferred to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Monday, August 9, Bukan native Rashid Rahimi was arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location. During the arrest, security forces searched the house and confiscated some of Mr. Rahimi’s personal belongings.

Also, according to the Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, on Wednesday, August 4, Bukan resident Ali Aziz-Zadeh, was detained by security forces without a warrant. According to the report, Mr. Aziz-Zadeh was beaten at the time of arrest.

As of this writing, no information is available on the detainees whereabouts or the charges against them.

 

At Least 4 Inmates Executed in Birjand Prison and Isfahan Prison

None of these executions have been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.
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Executions, News, Prisoners
Birjand, Birjand Prison, Isfahan, Isfahan Prison, Majid, Majid Golech Bacheh, Mehrollah Sanjarani, Torbat-e-Jam, Zabihollah Hormozi, Zahedan

At dawn on Sunday, August 8, two inmates were executed in Birjand Prison and two other inmates were executed in Isfahan Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rasank news, all 4 prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

The two inmates executed in Birjand Prison have been identified as Zabihollah Hormozi, known as Mehrollah Sanjarani, from Zahedan, and Majid Goleh Bacheh from Torbat-e- Jam.

The two prisoners executed in Isfahan Prison are Azam Mohammad Hosseini (Kiazehi) and Seyed Esmail Kord Tamini, both from Zahedan.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed. One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

The execution of these 4 prisoners has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.

Political Prisoners Salahoddin Sharifzadeh and Hassan Beit Abdollah being Denied Medical Care in Khalkhal Prison

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Environment, Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Coronavirus, COVID, COVID19, Hassan Beit Abdollah, Khalkhal Prison, Salahoddin Sharifzadeh, Urmia, Urmia Intelligence Detention Center

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoners Salahoddin Sharifzadeh and Hassan Beit Abdollah are being denied medical treatment by authorities in Khalkhal Prison despite suffering from COVID-19.

Lack of sanitation facilities in many prisons in the country has led to the rampant spread of Coronavirus within many Iranian prisons.

Salahoddin Sharifzadeh, a native of Buchan, was arrested by security forces in July 2018 on charges of “collaborating with opposition parties” and was transferred to the Urmia Intelligence Detention Center. He was finally sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

Hassan Beit Abdollah, a resident of Shush, was arrested by intelligence agents in October 2015, and eventually sentenced by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to 25 years in prison. These prisoners were transferred to Khalkhal Prison shortly after their detention.