Category: Prisoners

Ardabil Street Vendor Detained for 12 Days on Charges of “Disturbing Public Opinion”

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Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
ardabil prison, Azerbaijani Turk activist, HRANA, Yousef Kari

Yousef Kari, a street vendor and Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Ardabil, has been held in Ardabil Prison for 12 days following his arrest on charges of “disturbing public opinion.”

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Kari was violently detained by police while working as a street vendor on October 29, 2024. Despite being charged by the Ardabil Prosecutor’s Office and the setting of a 5 billion rial bail, the presiding judge has refused to grant his release, leaving him in legal limbo.”

The source added, “During his arrest, Mr. Kari was subjected to physical violence, which he protested. In retaliation, security forces took him to a forensic medical examiner and pressured a psychiatrist to label him mentally unstable.”

Yousef Kari, previously dismissed from his job under security pressure, now earns a living as a street vendor in Ardabil. He has faced repeated harassment in the past due to his activism.

Imprisoned Attorney Mohammad Najafi Transferred to Hospital Following Critical Health Deterioration

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News, Prisoners
Arak prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Najafi, محمد نجفی

On Tuesday, November 5, Mohammad Najafi, an attorney detained in Evin Prison and suffering from a heart condition, was urgently transferred to Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran due to a sudden worsening of his health.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Najafi experienced a severe health incident while receiving a family visit. A source close to his family told HRANA, “During the visit, Najafi suddenly showed symptoms resembling a heart attack. He was immediately taken to the prison’s medical clinic. Given the critical nature of his condition, he was then transferred to an outside hospital, arriving at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran under heavy restraints.”

Najafi was previously released from prison in 2019 after serving time in an earlier case but was re-arrested just four days later on different charges and taken to Arak Prison. In May 2023, he was transferred from Arak Prison to Evin Prison in Tehran.

Throughout his time in prison, Najafi has faced numerous charges, resulting in multiple sentences. He is currently detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. His longest sentence—10 years, later reduced to four years and six months—stems from a charge of “assisting a hostile government through interviews with foreign media.”

Najafi’s combined sentences now total over 21 years across various cases involving 14 separate charges, with no consolidation of these sentences applied to date. At least five new cases have been filed against him during his imprisonment, including one initiated by the warden of Arak Prison, which led to a four-month sentence. Another case involves charges for allegedly releasing audio recordings from within Arak Prison.

Gholamhossein Kalbi, Political Prisoner in His 24th Year of Life Sentence, Denied Medical Care Amid Deteriorating Health

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Dezful, Gholamhossein Kalbi, HRANA, Mahshahr, Saeed Masouri, Sheiban Prison

Political prisoner Gholamhossein Kalbi is now in his 24th year of a life sentence at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. He suffers from multiple health conditions, yet has been denied specialized medical care and transfer to treatment centers.

As per HRANA’s information, Mr. Kalbi suffers from a hernia, ear and dental infections, and has recently contracted a fungal infection that has caused severe toe infections. Despite his worsening condition and repeated transfers to the prison infirmary, he has only received basic examinations and minimal medication due to limited medical resources. Kalbi urgently needs specialized medical care, which has yet to be approved.

According to a source close to the case, the Ministry of Intelligence, overseeing Kalbi’s file, recently rejected his request for transfer to a prison near his home in Mahshahr. “He is held in Sheiban’s security ward, where he lacks any area for exercise and lives in overcrowded conditions, with twice the capacity in his cell,” the source told HRANA.

Kalbi was arrested on January 8, 2001, along with Saeed Masouri, in Dezful, on charges of membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. In 2002, he was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh). His death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

After his arrest, he spent 14 months in solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz before being transferred to Ward 209, and later to Ward 350 of Evin Prison. Following his sentencing, he was moved to Mahshahr Prison and later to Karun Prison in Ahvaz. After the closure of Karun Prison in February 2016, he was transferred along with other prisoners to Sheiban Prison.

In October 2016, his brother, the last remaining member of his family, suffered a stroke and passed away while en route to the prison for a face-to-face visit with him—a visit he had managed to secure after five years of effort. The judicial authorities denied Mr. Kalbi leave to attend his brother’s funeral.

The troubling case of Kalbi underscores a broader pattern of neglect within Iranian prisons. In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 1,390 instances of denial or neglect of medical care for prisoners, highlighting a systemic issue that urgently demands attention.

Political Prisoner Arezoo Azarm-Sefat Serving Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Arezoo Azarm-Sefat, Evin Prison

Political prisoner Arezoo Azarm-Sefat is currently serving a three-year, nine-month sentence in Evin Prison, where she was transferred on August 26.

Originally sentenced to five years on suspicion of collaborating with an opposition political group, her sentence was reduced to three years and nine months after she submitted a plea of no contest.

Azarm-Sefat was initially arrested by security forces on May 1. After undergoing interrogation in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was released on bail on May 20 before returning to prison to begin her sentence.

Nayeb Askari Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison and Heavy Fine After Death Sentence Overturned

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, moharebeh, Naeb Askari, Nayeb Askari, Urmia, Urmia prison

Nayeb Askari, a political prisoner detained in Urmia Prison, has been re-sentenced by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison and a fine of 900 million tomans, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his prior death sentence and refer his case for retrial.

This updated sentence was issued last week by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. According to HRANA’s sources, the fine was imposed on Askari as compensation for alleged damage to government property.

Initially, on April 15, 2023, Askari was sentenced to death in absentia and without legal representation by Branch 2 on charges of “enmity against God (moharebeh).” After he appealed, the court downgraded the charge from “moharebeh” to “armed rebellion (baghi)” but re-issued a death sentence in late October 2023.

Askari’s alleged membership in a Kurdish opposition party was cited as evidence supporting the charges in his case.

Arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, Askari was later moved to a detention facility and, on June 17, 2021, to Urmia Prison.

HRANA’s source reveals another ongoing case accusing Askari of the murder of IRGC member Mostafa Soltani. In 2013-2014, Soltani was injured during a clash with a political opposition party member, passing away six years later from COVID-19. Soltani’s family claims alleged Askari’s involvement in the altercation caused the sustained injury leading to his eventual death.

A new case, opened on July 12, 2021, based on a complaint from the Urmia Prison head, resulted in a three-month imprisonment extension and 50 lashes for “disrupting prison order.”

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

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Narges Mohammadi Transferred from Evin Prison to Hospital

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News, Prisoners
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Narges Mohammadi, Taghi Rahmani, نرگس محمدی

Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, has been transferred from Evin Prison to a hospital.

Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, announced this news yesterday, stating that, after nearly nine weeks of delay by authorities in addressing her medical needs, Narges Mohammadi has finally been transferred from Evin Prison to a hospital.

Ms. Mohammadi suffers from heart disease, a breast mass, and chronic back pain. She had repeatedly been denied transfer to medical centers for angiography and health evaluations.

Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has faced multiple convictions, was sentenced in January of this year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to fifteen months in prison, two years exile from Tehran and neighboring provinces, a two-year travel ban, a two-year ban on membership in social-political groups, and a two-year ban on using a smartphone for propaganda against the regime.

In October 2020, Mohammadi was released from Zanjan Prison after serving about five and a half years. Shortly after, regarding a case opened against her during her imprisonment, she was sentenced by a Criminal Court in Tehran to thirty months in prison, eighty lashes, and two fines.

In November 2021, during a memorial ceremony for the second anniversary of the death of Ebrahim Ketabdar, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests, she was arrested by security forces in Karaj. Subsequently, Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison, seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and other social deprivations.

In October 2022, regarding another case opened against her during her imprisonment, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year and three months in prison along with other additional punishments. In August of last year, she was also sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi by the Norwegian Nobel Committee “for her courageous fight for freedom and human rights over three decades.”

Over 450 Days in Limbo: Continued Detention of Masoud Jamei in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Masoud Jamei, Sheiban Prison

Masoud Jamei, a political detainee with serious health issues, has been held without trial in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 450 days.

A source close to his family told HRANA that a court-appointed attorney was recently assigned to Mr. Jamei. Previously, in one of Ahvaz’s prosecutor’s offices, he was charged with “spreading corruption on earth,” “membership in opposition groups,” and “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.” Despite these charges, he has yet to stand trial and remains in indefinite detention, now entering his 452nd day in Sheiban Prison.

According to HRANA, Jamei suffers from fatty liver disease and gastrointestinal issues. Although he has been sent to the prison infirmary multiple times, his treatment has been limited to basic exams and a few medications. His condition necessitates specialized medical care and a transfer to an external hospital for proper treatment.

Masoud Jamei, around 47 years old and a resident of Ahvaz, was initially detained by security forces on July 31, 2023. His prolonged, unresolved detention continues to place both his health and due process rights at risk.

Political Prisoner Golnaz Salah Chin Serving One-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Golnaz Salah Chin

Golnaz Salah-Chin, a 47-year-old political prisoner and former schoolteacher, is currently serving a one-year sentence in Evin Prison.

Ms. Salah-Chin, the mother of two daughters and head of her household, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

On October 3 of this year, Ms. Salah-Chin was detained and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison to begin her sentence. Her legal troubles began in early 2023 when she was summoned to one of Tehran’s prosecutor’s offices, formally charged, and subsequently released on bail.

Golnaz Salah-Chin’s detention and dismissal from her teaching position have placed significant strain on her family. She was a dedicated educator prior to her arrest, and her imprisonment highlights the increasing pressures faced by political activists in Iran.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Saman Yasin Granted Medical Leave After 26 Months in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Ramin Safarnia, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin

Saman Seydi (Yasin), a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, was granted medical leave from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj today after posting bail.

His lawyer, Ramin Safarnia, announced: “Today, my client, Saman Yasin (Seydi), after enduring around 26 months in prison, was released on medical leave following the recommendation of a medical commission and with the judiciary’s approval, after posting a bail of 4 billion tomans.”

Saman Yasin (Seydi), a rap singer, was arrested by security forces in Tehran during the 2022 nationwide protests on October 2, 2022. He was later tried in the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion to commit crimes, and acting against national security,” and was sentenced to death. However, in December 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, and the case was referred for retrial.

In May 2023, another of Yasin’s lawyers, Hossein Sartipi, reported that his client had been sentenced to five years of exile in one of the cities in Kerman Province.

In August, HRANA highlighted Mr. Seydi’s denial of adequate medical treatment while in prison. On August 2, 2023, Yasin, along with six other political prisoners, was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Ward 8 of Evin Prison. On September 3, 2023, he and 12 other prisoners were abruptly moved to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj without prior notice.

Political Detainee Jila Zehtab Moghaddam Held in Evin Prison with Poor Health and Unclear Legal Status

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Zehtab Moghaddam

Jila (Zhila) Zehtab Moghaddam, a political detainee in poor health, remains in legal limbo in Evin Prison. After completing her interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward 14 days ago.

A source close to her family told HRANA that Zehtab Moghaddam was arrested by security forces and transferred to Evin on October 9, 2024. Before her arrest, she had undergone breast cancer surgery, and both breasts were removed. She is currently being held in prison under poor physical conditions, with no clarity regarding her case.

At around 43 years old, Zehtab Moghaddam was charged with “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “assembly and collusion against national security” by the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. She was recently acquitted of the latter two charges, though her case has not yet been referred to court. The charges against her primarily relate to posts on her personal Twitter (X) account.