Category: Prisoners

Ruhollah Khosrawi Transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz; 15 Months in Legal Limbo

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Izeh, Ruhollah Khosravi, Sepidar Prison, Sheiban Prison, روح الله خسروی

Political detainee Ruhollah Khosrawi remains in limbo over 15 months after his arrest. In mid-November, he was transferred from Sheiban Prison to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “On November 9, Mr. Khosrawi protested the relocation of Sheiban Prison’s public telephones to a noisy area near the kitchen. After a confrontation with guards, he was beaten and violently removed from the general ward. Following this, and under the orders of Sheiban Prison’s deputy security chief Mr. Ahmadi, coordinated with prison oversight judge Mr. Kooti, he was transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.”

Khosrawi recently informed his family that, after 18 days in solitary confinement, he was moved to the general ward of Sepidar Prison.

He was arrested on August 23, 2023, in Izeh by security forces and initially held at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz before being transferred to Sheiban Prison.

On October 19, Khosrawi began a hunger strike in Sheiban Prison to protest his prolonged detention without trial. During the strike, he was moved to solitary confinement but returned to the general ward after ending his strike.

Khosrawi’s case is being investigated by a branch of the Izeh Prosecutor’s Office, with charges reportedly linked to national security. Since his arrest, he has been denied access to legal counsel, and no court hearings have been held.

As of this report, no information has been provided about the charges against him.

Khosrawi, aged around 35, is married and the father of a young daughter and son.

66-Year-Old Political Prisoner Sudabeh Fakharzadeh Continues Serving Five-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Sudabeh Fakharzadeh, Tehran, Zeynab Homrang Seyedbeglou, سودابه فخارزاده

Sudabeh Fakharzadeh, a 66-year-old political prisoner, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.

Fakharzadeh was convicted last year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.”

Ms. Fakharzadeh was arrested by security forces in Tehran’s Chitgar Park in March 2023. Following her interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on May 9, 2023.

Her co-defendant in the case, Ms. Zeynab Homrang Seyedbeglou, was released from Evin Prison yesterday.

Sudabeh Fakharzadeh is a former political prisoner, having also been incarcerated during the 1980s.

Appeals Court Upholds Sentences for Four Defendants in Evin Prison Fire Case

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison fire, HRANA, Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh

The Tehran Provincial Appeals Court has upheld the sentences of Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Majid Roshannejad, and Reza Salmanzadeh, four defendants in the so-called Evin Prison fire case. Previously, Branch 1148 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced the group to a total of 33 years in prison and 518 lashes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentences were confirmed by the Appeals Court without a proper review of the case.

The original verdicts were issued on June 19, 2024, a day after the trial presided over by Judge Jabbar Javadi Rami. Aminpour, Dehbanzadeh, and Roshannejad were each sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of property,” an additional 16 months and 74 lashes for “disrupting prison order,” and another 16 months for “disobedience and resisting prison officials.” Salmanzadeh received five years in prison and 74 lashes for “destruction of property,” one year for “disrupting prison order,” and one year for “disobedience and resisting prison officials.”

A source close to one of the families told HRANA: “Despite objections filed by the defendants, neither they nor their lawyers were notified about the appeals process. The defense submissions prepared by their lawyers were ignored, and the sentences were upheld without any review in the Appeals Court.”

In addition to these four individuals, 36 other defendants in the Evin Prison fire case have also received prison sentences. HRANA is investigating the status of their appeals.

The prisoners are currently serving sentences from unrelated cases in the Greater Tehran and Ghezel Hesar prisons.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Shahab Nadali Jouzani; Retrial Scheduled for December 3

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hamedan, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Shahab Nadali Jouzani, شهاب نادعلی

The death sentence of Shahab Nadali Jouzani, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been overturned by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court. His case has been referred to a parallel court for retrial, which is scheduled for December 3, 2024.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Branch 39 of the Supreme Court recently overturned the death sentence. The case has been referred to a parallel branch for review, and a retrial is set for December 3.”

In February 2024, Nadali was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “rebellion (Baghi) through membership in opposition groups (the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization).” Additionally, he received a five-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” with his time in pretrial detention credited towards the sentence.

Shahab Nadali Jouzani was arrested on June 6, 2023, by Intelligence Ministry agents in Hamedan and has been detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison ever since.

Now 42 years old, Nadali is married and the father of a 13-year-old daughter. Before his arrest, he worked as a laborer and resided in Hamedan.

Iraj Jamshidi Detained for Six Days Amid Uncertainty in Tabriz

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Iraj Jamshidi, Malekan, Tabriz, ایرج جمشیدی

Iraj Jamshidi has been detained for six days by security forces in Malekan and transferred to a security detention facility in Tabriz.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Jamshidi was arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents at his home in Malekan on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and was transferred to a security detention facility in Tabriz.” The source added: “Despite the family’s efforts to obtain information from security and judicial authorities in Tabriz, officials have refused to provide any clear answers regarding Iraj Jamshidi’s situation, increasing the family’s concerns.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available about the charges against him.

Iraj Jamshidi, 55, is unmarried and resides in Malekan.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Political Prisoner Saeed Gharibi Self-Immolates in Protest of Prison Conditions and Harsh Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, HRANA, Saeed Gharibi, Shiraz

Saeed Gharibi, a political prisoner in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, set himself on fire on Saturday, November 16, 2024, to protest the prison’s dire conditions and the heavy sentences issued against him.

Sentenced to 15 years in prison and 15 years of exile, Gharibi sustained severe burns to his back and hands. Despite his critical condition, prison authorities have denied him transfer to a hospital or access to necessary medical treatment.

According to HRANA, a source close to Gharibi’s family confirmed the incident and reported that prison officials refused even basic medical care despite the severity of his injuries.

Before the incident, Gharibi had been suffering from significant mental distress due to the harsh conditions in Adelabad Prison. He is held in a ward shared with individuals affiliated with ISIS, and his outdoor recreation time is limited to less than an hour per week, adding to his psychological and emotional strain.

Gharibi, approximately 30 years old, was arrested last year by security forces. Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Sadati, convicted him on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “membership in opposition groups.” His sentence includes 15 years of imprisonment and 15 years of exile to Tabas, with the most severe punishment enforceable.

Despite attempts to appeal his conviction, Gharibi’s case has not yet been registered with the Supreme Court.

This incident highlights the ongoing mistreatment of political prisoners in Iran, with detainees frequently subjected to inadequate medical care, harsh detention conditions, and psychological pressure.

Workers’ Rights Activist Farhad Sheikhi Faces Ongoing Imprisonment Amidst History of Targeted Punishment

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Farhad Sheikhi, Hashtgerd, HRANA, Karaj, The Central Prison of Karaj, فرهاد شیخی

Farhad Sheikhi, a labor activist, is currently serving an eight-month prison sentence in the Central Prison of Karaj, following a ruling by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Sheikhi was arrested in late September 2024 after appearing at the Criminal Enforcement Office in Hashtgerd and was transferred to Karaj Central Prison to serve his sentence.

On November 5, a source informed HRANA that Sheikhi was punitively transferred to solitary confinement for five days before being returned to his ward.

Sheikhi’s legal troubles began on May 28, 2023, when security forces arrested him at his home in Hashtgerd. Initially detained in Rajai Shahr Prison, he was later charged at the Hashtgerd Prosecutor’s Office on June 13, 2023. He was released on a bail of 100 million tomans pending trial.

In June 2024, Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asef al-Hosseini, convicted Sheikhi of “propaganda against the regime.” He was sentenced to one year in prison, two years of exile to Divandarreh in Kurdistan Province, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on residing in Alborz and Tehran Provinces following the completion of his exile.

On August 29, 2024, the Court of Appeals reduced his prison sentence to eight months, while the other aspects of his punishment remained unchanged.

Sheikhi, a dedicated workers’ rights advocate, has faced repeated arrests and convictions for his activism. On February 7, 2023, he was released from a prior imprisonment following an amnesty directive.

Sheikhi’s case exemplifies the ongoing challenges faced by labor activists in Iran, who continue to face judicial and extrajudicial pressures for their advocacy.

Pedram Jamali, Political Prisoner, Serving Three-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Pedram Jamali

Pedram Jamali, a political prisoner, is serving his prison sentence in Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to three years in prison by judicial authorities.

Mr. Jamali was convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security” through cooperation with opposition groups. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

On July 10, 2023, Jamali was transferred to Evin Prison to begin serving his sentence.

Pedram Jamali is a resident of Tehran.

727 Days of Silence: The Ongoing Detention of Osman Mameh

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Bukan, HRANA, Osman Mame, Osman Mameh, Urmia, عثمان مامه

Osman Mameh, a 55-year-old resident of Bukan, has been held in detention for 727 days without any clear explanation from authorities. The prolonged lack of communication about his condition has left his family and relatives deeply concerned.

A source close to Mameh’s family told HRANA: “Despite nearly two years since his arrest and continuous efforts by his family to seek answers from security and judicial authorities in cities such as Bukan, Urmia, Karaj, and Tehran, no clear information has been provided. Mr. Mameh has not been allowed any contact with his family since his detention, which has only intensified their fears. Security officials have merely stated that he is alive and that the family would have been informed if he had died.”

Mameh was arrested by security forces on November 18, 2022, in Bukan.

As of this report, no details have been disclosed about the reasons for his arrest, the location of his detention, or the charges brought against him.

Ahmadreza Haeri Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison Following Case Consolidation

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Abbasali Khozan, Ahmadreza Haeri, Ghezel Hesar prison, احمدرضا حائری

Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has handed down a sentence of six years and three months to Ahmadreza Haeri, a political prisoner currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. The ruling comes after the consolidation of his cases and the overturning of earlier verdicts.

The court, presided over by Judge Abbasali Khozan, sentenced Haeri to four years for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and 15 months for “spreading falsehoods.” Under Iran’s penal code, the most severe punishment—four years—will be enforceable.

Haeri criticized the process, stating that Branch 36 issued this new ruling without notifying his legal counsel, despite the Supreme Court having overturned the initial verdict. Furthermore, the new sentence includes an additional year of imprisonment compared to the original ruling.

In late August 2022, Haeri was sentenced to three years and eight months by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He began serving his prison term in May 2023 at Evin Prison and was transferred in September 2023, along with 12 other political prisoners, to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

On October 16, 2024, Haeri appeared via video conference before the First Branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Karaj, defending himself against fresh charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “spreading falsehoods.”

Ahmadreza Haeri has faced multiple arrests and imprisonment in the past due to his activism.