Category: News

Sepideh Gholiyan and Mahboubeh Rezaei Severely Beaten in Bushehr Prison

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Prisoners, Women
Bushehr, Bushehr prison, Fatemeh Aliverdi, Gholiyan, Mahboubeh Rezaei, Ministry of Intelligence, Sepideh Gholiyan

On Tuesday, July 20, civil activist Sepideh Gholiyan and political prisoner Mahboubeh Rezaei were severely beaten in Bushehr Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Gholiyan and Rezaei were beaten by prisoners accused of violent crimes in front of prison officials. It is said that the incident happened at the instigation of the head of the women’s ward of the prison, Fatemeh Aliverdi.

Sepideh Gholiyan has been denied the right to make telephone calls for about two months.

“Ms. Gholiyan and Ms. Rezaei were both beaten and threatened with death and for this reason,” an informed source told HRANA. “Sepideh Gholiyan spent the night at a temperature of 117 in the small backyard of the ward. After the threats, Mahboubeh Rezaei submitted a request to be transferred to Shiraz Prison, which was immediately rejected”

Ms. Gholiyan was sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Tehran Court of Appeals in December 2019. Mahboubeh Rezaei was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison by Branch 17 of the Fars Province Court of Appeal, after reduction.

The two citizens have stated that they were tortured by the Ministry of Intelligence and other security forces.

Kurdistan Province Court of Appeals Sentences Saman Karimi to Imprisonment

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Prisoners
freedom of expression, Karimi, Kurdistan, Kurdistan Court of Appeals, membership in an opposition group, Saman Karimi, Supreme Court

On Saturday, July 17, Branch 4 of the Court of Appeals of Kurdistan Province sentenced Saman Karimi to 9 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Karimi was sentenced on charges of”conspiracy acts against the security of the country”, “membership in opposition groups”, and “propaganda against the regime”.

By applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence enforceable to him is 4 years in prison.

According to article 134 of Iran’s penal code, “If the number of offenses that are committed is more than three, the penalty shall not be more than the maximum prescribed punishment provided that it shall not exceed 1.5 times the longest sentence. In these cases, only the harshest prison sentence shall be served.”

Mr. Karimi was sentenced to death in November 2019, but the sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court in September of last year.

Civil Activists Released Hours After Arrest in Tehran During March Supporting Khuzestan

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
arash kaykhosravi, Arash Sadeghi, Behzad Homayouni, Hamid Asefi, Jafar Azimzadeh, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Narges Mohammadi, Pouran Nazemi, Rasoul Bodaghi, Ruhollah Mardani, Tehran

On Tuesday, July 20, civil activists Narges Mohammadi, Arash Sadeghi, Arash Kaykhosravi, Ruhollah Mardani, Jafar Azimzadeh, Rasoul Bodaghi, Pouran Nazemi, Hamid Asefi, and Behzad Homayouni, were released from custody a couple of hours after their arrest.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the activists were beaten and arrested while marching in support of the people of Khuzestan.

Before their arrest, they had said in a video that a number of them had been beaten in front of the Interior Ministry by military forces.

During the last six days, people in Khuzestan province have been protesting frequent water cuts, and lack of water resources management in the cities of Ramhormoz, Shavur, Karkheh, Chamran, Kut Seyed Naeem, Shush, Ahvaz, Abadan, Hamidiyeh, Bostan, Susangard, Mahshahr, Khorramshahr, Shadegan, Kut Abdollah, Mollasani, Hoveyzeh, Abu Homeyzeh, and Veys.

Mass Protests in Khuzestan Continue for Seventh Day

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
ahvaz, Behbahan, Izeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Masjed, Ramshir, Shadegan, Shahrui, Soleyman, Yazdanshahr

Today, the cities of Susangard, Behbahan, Abadan, Izeh, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, Ramhormoz, and Shadegan, staged protest rallies that were confronted by military forces with arrests, tear gas, and bullets.

 

 

Widespread protests started in Khuzestan province on the night of Thursday, July 15, in response to the resource mismanagement that has led to the water crisis. Protests have been going for the past seven days and have spread to at least 22 cities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, at least four civilians and one police officer have been confirmed as killed since the start of the protests. HRANA was able to verify the identities of those killed since Thursday as Meysam Echresh from Taleghani in Mahshahr, Mostafa Naeemawi from Shadegan, Ghasem Naseri from Kut Abdollah, and officer Zargham Parast in Mahshahr. According to local sources, a number of additional citizens have been injured during the protests as well.

Disconnections and a severe decrease in Internet speed in some cities of Khuzestan province have been reported on social media. Previously, a resident of Ahvaz told HRANA that the internet of all carriers is disconnected, and people cannot access the internet through phones.

Received videos show the presence of a large number of military forces around Azadi Square in Tehran and the security atmosphere for facing possible protests.

The scope of the violence against the protesting people of Khuzestan have elicited reactions from numerous different sections of society. In a statement, the Tehran Teachers’ Union condemned the suppression of the Khuzestan protests and blamed the government for the resource problems. 330 artists gave a statement which condemned the suppression of protests and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

Several film and television artists gathered in front of the Artists’ House to show their support. The players of the Abadan Oil Industry soccer team, the Iranian Writers Association, and the Iranian Cinema House all issued statements in support of the protesters, and calling on the relevant authorities to address the situation.

Today, videos broadcasted on social networks show people marching in Yazdanshahr in Isfahan in support of the people of Khuzestan. Also, people in Masjed Soleyman, Ramshir, Shahrui village of Behbahan, and Ahvaz in Khuzestan marched and held protest rallies.

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Read our fact sheet for more info on what is going on in Khuzestan. For media interviews, contact Skylar Thompson at [email protected].

 

Two Prisoners Executed in Rajai Shahr Prison

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Executions, Prisoners
Afshin Gheydar, citizen executions per-capita, Karaj, Mohammad Abdol Rahim, Rajai Shahr Prison, Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, Rajai-Shahr

At dawn on Wednesday, July 14, two prisoners were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights (IHR), the prisoners have been identified as Afshin Gheydar and Mohammad Abdol Rahim.

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.

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Khuzestan Update: IRIB Confirms that Citizen was Shot and Killed During Last Night’s Protests in Izeh

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, ahvaz, Behbahan, IRIB, Izeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Shadegan, Susangard, Tehran

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) confirmed that a citizen was killed during last night’s protests in Izeh, Khuzestan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Actiists, the IRIB report did not specify the identity of the killed citizen. However, it described his death as a result of a “suspicious” shooting—notably vague phrasing, considering that the overwhelming majority of gunfire throughout the protests has come from government forces.

Widespread protest rallies in Khuzestan started Thursday, July 15, in response to the negligence of officials that led to frequent cuts of drinking water and the drying of Karun River.

The demonstrations against the water cuts and lack of proper resource management continued yesterday into their sixth day. Rallies were held in Susangard, Behbahan, Abadan, Izeh, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr and Shadegan.

Hassan Nabovati, acting governor of Izeh, stated that one police officer was killed and another injured during the protests in Mahshahr last night.

As released videos show, the protests in Izeh were disrupted by violence from military forces. There were reports of military officers spraying tear gas and opening fire at protesters.

Defendant Sentenced to Death in Criminal Court of Gonbad Kavus

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Executions, Prisoners
Citizen death sentence, Criminal cad Kavusourt of Gonb, Death sentence, Gonbad Kavus, Hadi Hashemian, Hashemian

A defendant was sentenced to death in the criminal court of Gonbad Kavus.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Tasnim News Agency,  the defendant was charged with the murder of Captain Nabiollah Khatiri, commander of the Border Regiment.

The Chief Justice of Golestan Province, Hadi Hashemian stated, “The first defendant was sentenced to death per the request of the victim’s family.”

“The defendant was also sentenced to imprisonment and payment of ransom to the soldiers whom he wounded with a knife,” Hashemian added.

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.

This verdict can be appealed in the Supreme Court.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Bakhtiari, Central Penitentiary of Karaj, Gholam-Hossein Ismaili, Karaj, Manouchehr Bakhtiari, November 2019 nationwide protests, November 2019 Protests, Pouya Bakhtiari, Tehran

Manouchehr Bakhtiari, the father of Pouya Bakhtiari, one of the victims of the November 2019 nationwide protests, was sentenced to imprisonment and exile.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 77 days after his arrest, Bakhtiari called his family and announced that he had been sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison and 2 years and 6 months in exile.

He was transferred from the detention center of a security institution to the Central Penitentiary in Karaj after the sentence was issued.

Bakhtiari was detained by security forces on April 29, after being beaten at his home in Tehran. One week after the arrest, Gholam-Hossein Ismaili, a spokesman for the judiciary, called Bakhtiari and his family “counter-revolutionaries” and charged them with “acting against national security”.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari has been protesting the killing of his son by security forces in November 2019. Pouya Bakhtiari was born September 10, 1992, and was shot dead on November 16, 2019 in Phase 4 of Mehrshahr, Karaj.

According to his father, Pouya, along with his sister and mother, joined a protest march on the second day of the nationwide protest against the increase in gasoline prices. He was shot in the head, and he died before reaching the hospital.

As of this writing, the details of the verdict and the charges against Mr. Bakhtiari are not known.

Activist Arrests and Tear Gas: Khuzestan Protests Continue Into Sixth Day

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, ahvaz, arash kaykhosravi, Arash Sadeghi, Behzad Homayouni, Hamid Asefi, iran protests, Izeh, Jafar Azimzadeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan protests, Khuzestan water crisis, Narges Mohammadi, Pooran Nazemi, Rasoul Bodaghi, Ruhollah Mardani, Shadegan, Susangard

Today, July 20, the widespread protests in Khuzestan over the ongoing water crisis continued for a sixth consecutive day. Since the start of the protests on Thursday, provincial authorities have confirmed that at least two civilians have been killed by military forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, today’s protests took place in the cities of Izeh, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, Shadegan, Abadan, Susangard, and Behbahan. HRANA received reports of shootings and internet shutdowns in some areas, as well as a report of the death of a protester, but neither have been confirmed as of this writing.

Today a number of prominent civil activists also gathered in Tehran to voice their support for the protesters in Khuzestan, and were met with violence from security forces. Activists Narges Mohammadi, Arash Sadeghi, Arash Kaykhosravi, Ruhollah Mardani, Jafar Azimzadeh, Rasoul Bodaghi, Pooran Nazemi, Hamid Asefi, and Behzad Homayouni were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location.

Below is our updated map of the protests of the last five days.

Watch our compilation of footage from the protests.

Read our fact sheet for more info on what is going on in Khuzestan.

Several Activists Arrested in Tehran Following a Rally in Support of Protesters in Khuzestan

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Environment, Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Arash Sadeghi, Behzad Homayouni, Hamid Asefi, Jafar Azimzadeh, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Narges Mohammadi, Pooran Nazemi, Rasoul Bodaghi, Ruhollah Mardani

Several activists were arrested in Tehran following a rally in support of the citizens of Khuzestan amidst the ongoing protests over water shortages in the province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the arrested activists have been identified as Narges Mohammadi, Arash Sadeghi, Arash Kaykhosravi, Ruhollah Mardani, Jafar Azimzadeh, Rasoul Bodaghi, Pooran Nazemi, Hamid Asefi, and Behzad Homayouni.

The detention of these citizens was violent and accompanied by beatings. Earlier today, in a video, Narges Mohammadi stated, “We wanted to gather in front of the Ministry of Interior to protest the killing of innocent – thirsty people in Khuzestan, but we were treated violently by security forces and some of us were beaten. Now we are marching in a street in Tehran to support the people of Khuzestan.”

During the last six days, people in Khuzestan Province have been protesting the frequent water cuts and mismanagement of water sources in at least 20 cities.

Since the second day of the protests, provincial officials have confirmed that two citizens, 30-year-old Mostafa Naeemawi from Shadegan, and 17-year-old Ghasem Naseri (Khaziri) from the Kut Abdollah area of Ahvaz, were killed during the protests. HRANA has received reports, which have yet to be verified, of a third civilian additionally being shot dead by military forces.

The exact status of the detained activists and their whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.