Category: Prisoners

Court of Appeals: Mashallah Karami Sentenced to One Year in Prison; Seven Defendants Acquitted, Three Convicted

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Mashallah Karami, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, Nazarabad, Payam Derafshan, Shahla Oruji

HRANA News Agency – Mashallah Karami, the father of executed protester Mohammad Mehdi Karami, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 12 of the Alborz Court of Appeals. Previously, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Nazarabad had sentenced him to eight years and ten months in prison and fined him 1.9 billion tomans.

In the same case, seven other defendants were acquitted, while two were sentenced to pay a fine of 50 million tomans each. The prison sentence of another defendant was upheld. Initially, all ten individuals had been sentenced to 91 days in prison.

The verdict, issued on January 21 by Branch 12 of the Alborz Court of Appeals, convicted Mashallah Karami of “money laundering and acquiring illicit wealth,” sentencing him to one year in prison and the confiscation of his residential property and vehicle. Among the ten other defendants, seven were acquitted, two had their prison sentences converted to a fine of 50 million tomans, and the 91-day prison sentence of one defendant was upheld.

Attorneys Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Payam Derafshan, and Shahla Oruji, who represent some of the defendants, announced that the verdicts were formally delivered to them yesterday.

In August, 2024, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Nazarabad had sentenced Mashallah Karami to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans, and the confiscation of his assets on charges of “money laundering and acquiring illicit wealth.”

In September, attorney Payam Derafshan had stated that in this case, philanthropists associated with Mashallah Karami had been sentenced to 91 days in prison each for “assisting in the acquisition of illicit wealth.”

Background on Mashallah Karami’s Conviction

Mashallah Karami, the father of Mohammad Mehdi (Koumar) Karami, an executed protester, was arrested on August 22, 2023, by security forces. During his arrest, authorities confiscated all electronic devices and froze the family’s bank accounts.
On October 28, 2023, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to the Central Prison of Karaj. After three months in quarantine, he was moved to Ward 15 of the prison.

Initially, on May 21, 2024, the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Karami to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” However, in September, the Alborz Province Court of Appeals reduced these sentences to three years and seven months for the first charge and eight months for the second.

In a separate case, in August 2024, the Criminal Court Branch 102 in Nazarabad convicted Karami of “money laundering and acquiring illicit wealth,” sentencing him to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans, and confiscation of his assets.

Karami’s attorney, Ali Sharifzadeh, previously stated that the security-related charges against his client did not align with his actions. He explained: “Mr. Karami only distributed free meals, funded through public donations. This information was presented to the court but was not properly considered. Additionally, my client’s assets have no connection to the security charges leveled against him.”

In September, 2024, five citizens were fined by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals for providing financial assistance to Mashallah Karami. These individuals were previously convicted by the Karaj Revolutionary Court of “aiding in assembly and collusion against national security” through financial support to Karami, with each sentenced to two years in prison and fined 24 million tomans.

It is noteworthy that on January 7, 2023, Mohammad Mehdi Karami, one of the detainees from the nationwide protests, was executed in connection with the case known as the “murder of Basij member Ruhollah Ajamian.”

On the Fourth Day of His Hunger Strike, Hafez Forouhi Transferred to Lakan Prison’s Infirmary

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News, Prisoners
Arman Sedghi Sabet, Hafez Forouhi, Lakan prison, Mehdi Mirzaei, Rasht

HRANA News Agency – Hafez Forouhi, a political prisoner in Lakan Prison, Rasht, has entered the fourth day of his hunger strike. On the morning of Thursday, January 30, he was transferred to the prison’s infirmary in poor physical condition due to a drop in blood pressure and blood sugar.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Forouhi’s health deteriorated on the fourth day of his hunger strike, and he was taken to Lakan Prison’s infirmary after experiencing a sharp drop in blood pressure and blood sugar.”

Forouhi began his hunger strike on Monday, January 27, in protest of what he describes as an unjust legal process, violations of his legal rights, the issuance of separate sentences for a single case, the failure to apply sentence reduction laws, and authorities’ refusal to consider his legal requests for case consolidation.

Approximately 29 years old, Forouhi was arrested by security forces in Rasht on January 18, 2023, and transferred to Lakan Prison’s Misagh ward the following day.

Late last year, Forouhi, along with Mehdi Mirzaei and Arman Sedghi Sabet, co-defendants in a joint case, was sentenced to three years in prison by the Rasht Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security.” Their sentences were later upheld by the Gilan Court of Appeals. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the longest sentence—two years—became enforceable.

In a separate case, Forouhi was sentenced to two years and three months in prison by Branch 1 of the Rasht Criminal Court.

Female Prisoners in Evin: Latest Report on Names and Sentences

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News, Prisoners, Women
Bahareh Hedayat, Evin Prison, golrokh iraee, Iman Afshari, Kimia Bani Adam, Mahvash Sabet, Narges Mohammadi, Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Varisheh Moradi, Zohreh Sayadi

HRANA News Agency – This report provides an updated list and the latest status of 77 female political and security prisoners, 69 of whom are currently held in Evin Prison, while 8 others have been granted temporary leave. Judge Iman Afshari has played a significant role in issuing sentences, having ruled on at least 33 cases, while Judge Abolghasem Salavati has issued verdicts for at least 17 of these prisoners. These two judges were also responsible for the death sentences of Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi.

As of the time of this report, 69 women remain incarcerated in Evin’s general and quarantine wards, while 8 prisoners—Narges Mohammadi, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Bahareh Hedayat, Zohreh Sayadi, Mahvash Sabet (Shahriari), Kimia Bani Adam, and Shabnam Nematzadeh—are currently on temporary leave.

Among these detainees:

. 11 prisoners remain in legal limbo without finalized sentences.
. 2 prisoners have been sentenced to death.
. Judge Iman Afshari, head of Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, has issued at least 33 sentences.
. Judge Abolghasem Salavati, head of Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, has ruled on at least 17 cases.
. Some other prisoners were tried in courts in Mashhad, Shahriar, and other judicial jurisdictions.

One of the longest-held prisoners in this ward is Maryam Haji Hosseini, who has been detained since September 2019 on espionage charges. Additionally, some prisoners in this ward are over 60 years old and, despite serious health conditions, have been denied specialized medical care. The youngest prisoner, Kimia Bani Adam (20 years old), was recently granted temporary leave.

Several prisoners, including Golrokh Iraee, Elaheh Fouladi, Pakhshan Azizi, Maryam Yahyavi, Motahareh Gunei, Vida Rabani, Varisheh Moradi, and Zahra Safaei, have been denied family visits for unclear reasons.

Case Profiles of Female Political Prisoners in Evin Prison:

1. Golrokh Iraee

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state, disturbing public order
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison + social restrictions
Arrest Date: September 26, 2022
Transferred to Evin: November 29, 2022

2. Varisheh Moradi (Mirzaei)

Charges: Membership in an opposition group, armed rebellion (Baghi), resisting and assaulting officers
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court & Criminal Court Branch 2, Qods Judicial Complex
Current status: Sentenced to 6 months in prison in one case and death penalty in another
Arrest Date: July 31, 2023
Transferred to Evin: December 26, 2023

3. Pakhshan Azizi

Charges: Armed rebellion (Baghi)
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Current status: Death sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court
Arrest Date: July 31, 2023
Transferred to Evin: December 9, 2023

4. Maryam Haji Hosseini

Charges: Corruption on earth (Efsad-fil-Arz) and espionage for Israel
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison + asset confiscation
Date of imprisonment: March 11, 2020
Arrest Date: August-September 2019
Transferred to Evin: March 11, 2020

5. Azam (Nasrin) Khezri Javadi

Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: May 1, 2019
Transferred to Evin: July 2, 2022

6. Shakila Monfared

Charges: Membership in opposition groups, destruction of public property, disruption of public order, propaganda against the state, and blasphemy
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years and 5 months in prison across four separate cases, plus 10 lashes, social restrictions, and exile
Arrest Date: January 20, 2021
Transferred to Evin: July 20, 2022

7. Masoumeh (Farah) Nassaji

Charges: Unspecified
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years and 4 months in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 4, 2022

8. Fariba Kamalabadi

Charges: Leading a group labeled a “deviant sect” with the alleged aim of disrupting national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison
Arrest Date: July 31, 2022
Transferred to Evin: December 7, 2022

9. Vida Rabbani

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state, blasphemy, and disrupting public order
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 17 years and 7 months in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest date: September 24, 2022
Transferred to Evin: December 11, 2022

10. Parvin Mirasan

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years in prison
Arrest Date: November 4, 2022
Transferred to Evin: March 19, 2023

11. Sepideh Gholian

Charges: Insulting the Supreme Leader, removing hijab, promoting promiscuity and indecency, and repeatedly committing the same offense during court hearings
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court & Branch 1207 of Criminal Court 2, Shahid Kachouyi Judicial Complex
Sentence: 3 years and 3 months in prison across two separate cases, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: March 15, 2023
Transferred to Evin: March 19, 2023

12. Farahnaz Nikkhoo

Charges: Acting against national security through espionage
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Arrest Date: December 3, 2022
Transferred to Evin: April 30, 2023

13. Zohreh Sarv

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 7 years in prison
Arrest Date: September-October 2021
Transferred to Evin: May 1, 2023

14. Saeideh Shafiei

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years and 6 months in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: January 22, 2023
Transferred to Evin: September 6, 2024

15. Sodabeh Fakharzadeh

Charges: Assembly and collusion to disrupt national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: February-March 2023
Transferred to Evin: May 9, 2023

16. Shiva Esmaeili

Charges: Repeat offense of assembly and collusion against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison
Arrest Date: October-November 2020
Transferred to Evin: May 22, 2023

17. Mahboobeh Rezaei

Charges: Membership in opposition groups, assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state, blasphemy, removing hijab, and promoting corruption on social media
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court & Criminal Court 2, Qods Judicial Complex
Sentence: 20 years and 3 months in prison across two separate cases, plus fines
Arrest Date: May 22, 2023
Transferred to Evin: June 6, 2023

18. Tahereh (Fereshteh) Noori

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, disrupting public order
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: May 22, 2023
Transferred to Evin: July 4, 2023

19. Maryam (Anisha) Asadollahi

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years and 8 months in prison
Arrest Date: April 28, 2023
Transferred to Evin: July 26, 2023

20. Azar Korvandi (Korvandi) Musazadeh

Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security through cooperation with opposition groups
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: July 29, 2023
Transferred to Evin: Summer of 2019

21. Nasim Gholami Simiari

Charges: Destruction of public property to disrupt public order and security, opposing the Islamic government, assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison, 74 lashes, and 20 years of exile under judicial supervision in Angooran, Zanjan Province
Arrest Date: May 18, 2023
Transferred to Evin: September 26, 2023

22. Zahra Safaei
Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: September 12, 2023
Transferred to Evin: October 10, 2023
23. Marzieh Farsi

Charges: Membership in opposition groups
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years in prison
Arrest Date: October 17, 2023
Transferred to Evin: August 21, 2023

24. Forough Taghizadeh

Charges: Membership in opposition groups
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years in prison
Arrest Date: October 17, 2023
Transferred to Evin: August 21, 2023

25. Kobra Beiki
Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: During the 2022 nationwide protests (Date unknown)
Transferred to Evin: October 21, 2023
26. Masoumeh Akbari

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: October-November 2018
Transferred to Evin: October 28, 2023

27. Reyhaneh Ansari Nejad

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: April 28, 2023
Transferred to Evin: November 6, 2023

28. Raheleh Rahemi Pour
Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison
Arrest Date: November 12, 2019
Transferred to Evin: November 18, 2023
29. Mahnaz Tarah

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years and 4 months in prison
Arrest Date: November 13, 2023
Transferred to Evin: November 23, 2023

30. Narges Mansouri

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 9 years in prison across two separate cases
Arrest Date: August 12, 2019
Transferred to Evin: December 1, 2023

31. Elaheh Fouladi

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: January -February 2020
Transferred to Evin: December 12, 2023

32. Shirin Saeedi
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: December 23, 2023
Transferred to Evin: December 23, 2023
33. Nasrin Roshan
Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: January 1, 2024
Transferred to Evin: November 16, 2023
34. Mina Khajavi, Christian Convert
Charges: Forming an illegal group to disrupt national security, acting against national security by promoting evangelical Christianity and establishing a house church
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison
Arrest Date: June-July 2020
Transferred to Evin: January 8, 2024
35. Laleh Saati, Christian Convert
Charges: Acting against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: February 13, 2024
36. Neda Fotouhi
Charges: Propaganda against the state, membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh group, assembly and collusion against domestic and foreign security by participating in Mahsa Amini protests and commemorations
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years and 8 months in prison
Arrest Date: September-October 2023
Transferred to Evin: February 17, 2024
37. Lian Darvish
Charges: Assembly and collusion, insulting the Supreme Leader, propaganda against the state
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: February 21, 2024
38. Nahid Khodajo

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, disrupting public order
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison and 74 lashes
Arrest Date: May 1, 2019
Transferred to Evin: February 21, 2024

39. Maryam Yahyavi

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: November 2, 2014
Transferred to Evin: March 3, 2024

40. Samaneh Asghari

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: September 16, 2023
Transferred to Evin: April 3, 2024

41. Sakineh Parvaneh

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security (6 years), propaganda against the Islamic Republic (1 year and 6 months)
Court: Branch 1 of Mashhad’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 7 years and 6 months in prison
Arrest Date: March-April 2023
Transferred to Evin: April 3, 2024

42. Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari

Charges: Propaganda against the state, membership in opposition groups with intent to act against national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: June 10, 2024
Transferred to Evin: June 10, 2024

43. Hora Nikbakht

Charges: Propaganda against the state, insulting the Supreme Leader
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: June 12, 2024
Transferred to Evin: June 12, 2024

44. Narges Khorasani

Charges: Membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: July-August 2022
Transferred to Evin: June 15, 2024

45. Parisa Yousefi

Charges: Membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: July-August 2022
Transferred to Evin: June 15, 2024

46. Fereshteh Hosseini

Charges: Membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 5 years in prison
Arrest Date: July-August 2022
Transferred to Evin: June 15, 2024

47. Parivash Moslemi

Charges: Propaganda against the state, insulting the Supreme Leader, assembly and collusion
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court & Criminal Court 2, Qods Judicial Complex
Sentence: 4 years and 2 months in prison across two separate cases
Arrest Date: August-September 2023
Transferred to Evin: July 7, 2024

48. Zahra (Yas) Bonakdar Tehrani

Charges: Affiliation with the Erfan-e Halgheh spiritual group
Court: Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: July 23, 2024

49. Moloud Safaei

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: June 16, 2021
Transferred to Evin: July 30, 2024

50. Hamraz Sadeghi

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: February 24, 2018
Transferred to Evin: August 10, 2024

51. Arezoo Azarmsefat

Charges: Collaboration with an opposition group
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years and 9 months in prison
Arrest Date: May 1, 2024
Transferred to Evin: August 26, 2024

52. Saeedeh (Bahareh) Ghorbanali

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state, insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison
Arrest Date: Spring 2019
Transferred to Evin: September 7, 2024

53. Maryam Banoo Nasiri

Charges: Assembly and collusion
Court: Branch 1 of Shahriar’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years and 7 months in prison
Arrest Date: July 17, 2020
Transferred to Evin: September 8, 2024

54. Shima Azam Farzan

Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 6 years in prison
Arrest Date: November 7, 2022
Transferred to Evin: September 23, 2024

55. Golnaz Salah Chin

Charges: Propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: February-March 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 3, 2024

56. Mahvash (Saye) Seidal Tadoei

Charges: Spreading false information
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 3 years in prison across two separate cases
Arrest Date: June 21, 2023
Transferred to Evin: October 6, 2024

57. Motahereh Gounei

Charges: Propaganda against the state in favor of opposition media
Court: Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison, temporary ban on education, and forced transfer to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
Arrest Date: May 1, 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 7, 2024

58. Maryam Vahidi Far

Charges: National security offenses (alleged support for Saeed Mohammadi Douraki)
Court: Shahriar Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 17 months in prison
Arrest Date: Early 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 31, 2024

59. Masoumeh Askari

Charges: Collaboration with opposition groups, membership in anti-state organizations
Court status: Under review in Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: July-August 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 8, 2024

60. Nayereh Behnoud

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion through membership in opposition groups
Court status: Under review in Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: September-October 2024
Transferred to Evin: October 21, 2024

61. Elnaz (Solmaz) Ahmadi

Charges: Propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion
Court status: Under investigation
Sentence: Pending
Arrest Date: December 27, 2024
Transferred to Evin: December 29, 2024

62. Zahra Sharif Kazemi

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under investigation
Sentence: Pending
Arrest Date: December 24, 2024
Transferred to Evin: December 22, 2024

63. Nasim Eslam Zehi (Sunni Muslim)

Charges: Suspected affiliation with ISIS
Court status: Under review in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: August-September 2023
Transferred to Evin: March 4, 2024

64. Bornagol Abdollah Vav (Tajikistani national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

65. Aisha Rezaei Vav (Tajikistani national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

66. Khadijeh Rezaei Vav (Tajikistani national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

68. Eslam Bani Hassani (Jordanian national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Date of imprisonment: September 25, 2024

69. Hajar Zaboli (Afghan national)

Charges: Unknown
Court status: Under review in Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: Not yet issued
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: September 25, 2024

Female Prisoners Currently on Temporary Leave from Evin Prison:
In addition to those incarcerated, several prisoners are currently on temporary leave. Their names and case details are as follows:

1. Narges Mohammadi (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Human Rights Activist)

Charges: Propaganda against the Islamic Republic (issuing anti-execution statements), sit-in protest inside prison, disobedience against prison authorities, destruction of property, defamation, assault, resisting officers, and further propaganda activities
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, Branch 1177 of Criminal Court 2 (Qods Judicial Complex), Branch 29 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 15 years and 6 months in prison across seven separate cases, plus 74 lashes, exile, and social restrictions
Arrest Date: November 16, 2021
Transferred to Evin: July 20, 2022– Granted leave on December 4, 2024

 

2. Samaneh Noruz (Nowruz) Moradi

Charges: Membership in opposition groups with intent to disrupt national security, assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 13 years and 9 months in prison
Arrest Date: April 24, 2023
Transferred to Evin: Unknown – Granted leave on April 23, 2024

3. Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi

Charges: Assembly and collusion against internal security, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 20 months in prison
Arrest Date: September 18, 2023
Transferred to Evin: Unknown – Granted leave on September 18, 2024 (Shahrivar 28, 1403)

4. Bahareh Hedayat

Charges: Assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 4 years and 8 months in prison, plus social restrictions
Arrest Date: October 3, 2022
Transferred to Evin: November 2022 – Granted leave on February 19, 2024

 

5. Zohreh Sayadi

Charges: Unknown
Court: Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 1 year in prison
Arrest Date: December 10, 2019
Transferred to Evin: May 30, 2023– Granted leave on August 8, 2023

6. Mahvash Sabet (Shahriari) (Baha’i Citizen)

Charges: Leading a group labeled a “deviant sect” with the alleged aim of disrupting national security
Court: Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 10 years in prison
Arrest Date: July 31, 2022
Transferred to Evin: December 23, 2022 – Granted leave on December 4, 2024

7. Kimia Bani Adam

Charges: Unknown
Court: Tehran Revolutionary Court
Sentence: 2 years in prison
Arrest Date: Unknown
Transferred to Evin: December 5, 2024 – Granted leave on December 16, 2024

8. Shabnam Nematzadeh

Charges: Major disruption of Iran’s economic system by obstructing the distribution of essential goods (pharmaceuticals)
Court: Branch 3 of the Economic Corruption Court
Sentence: 20 years in prison, 74 lashes, and permanent disqualification from certain activities
Arrest Date: August-September 2019
Transferred to Evin: Unknown – Granted leave on July 17, 2024

Political Prisoners Fatemeh and Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri Face New Charges

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ali Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri, Mashhad, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Vakilabad prison

HRANA News Agency – Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri, political prisoners held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, were charged yesterday, January 27, in connection with a new case opened against them.

Ali Sepehri, their brother, announced that the charges were brought by Branch 905 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. The siblings are accused of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and “propaganda against the regime.” The charges reportedly stem from a letter recently published by the two prisoners.

Background on Arrests and Sentences
Fatemeh Sepehri was arrested in September 2022, and Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri in September 2023, both by security forces.

Fatemeh Sepehri has faced multiple convictions. She was sentenced to:

  • 10 years imprisonment for “collaboration with hostile governments,”
  • 5 years for “assembly and collusion,”
  • 2 years for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and
  • 1 year for “propaganda against the regime.”

These sentences were upheld by the appeals court, with the 10-year sentence enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code. In February 2023, the Mashhad Criminal Court also sentenced her to 1 year in prison and a fine of 20 million tomans for “spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion.”

Additionally, in June 2023, Fatemeh Sepehri, alongside her brothers Mohammad Hossein and Hossein Sepehri, was sentenced to 18 years and 6 months in prison in a joint case. Mohammad Hossein Sepehri received an 8-year sentence in this case.

Fatemeh Sepehri is also known as one of the signatories of an open letter calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. For this, she was initially sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, later reduced to 3 years and 6 months on appeal. In early 2020, she was conditionally released for 5 years.

Additional Developments
In late November 2023, the Mashhad Education Department issued an order dismissing Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri from his teaching position, which was officially conveyed to him in Vakilabad Prison. In September 2024, Branch 25 of the Administrative Justice Court upheld his dismissal.

Both siblings have a history of arrests and convictions due to their political activities.

20 Days of Uncertainty: Afshin Hossein Panahi Detained Without Contact or Information

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News, Prisoners
Afshin Hossein Panahi, HRANA, Loghman Moradi, Ramin Hossein Panahi, Zaniar Moradi

HRANA News Agency – Afshin Hossein Panahi, the brother of executed political prisoner Ramin Hossein Panahi, remains in detention 20 days after his arrest, with no information available about his whereabouts. The lack of updates on his condition has heightened concerns among his family and close relatives.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “It has been 20 days since Mr. Hossein Panahi was arrested, and the family’s efforts to gather information about his fate from judicial and security authorities have been fruitless. Since his arrest, Afshin has not even made a brief phone call to his family, which has deepened their concerns.”

Afshin Hossein Panahi was arrested by security forces at his workplace on January 8, 2025.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Afshin Hossein Panahi has previously faced judicial action and convictions related to his activities.

On September 8, 2018, Ramin Hossein Panahi was executed alongside two other political prisoners, Zaniar Moradi and Loghman Moradi, under highly controversial circumstances. The executions were carried out without prior notification to their legal counsel, depriving the prisoners of the presence of their representatives at the time of execution. Furthermore, in violation of the law, the authorities refused to return the bodies to their families, instead burying them in undisclosed locations. Families were also subjected to threats aimed at silencing protests and preventing the spread of information about the executions. These actions drew widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and legal advocates alike.

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Shahriar Bayat, 64-Year-Old Death-Row Political Prisoner, Denied Medical Care Amid Supreme Court Case Review

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News, Prisoners
Elahe Bayat, Evin Prison, HRANA, Shahriar, Shahriar Bayat, شهریار بیات

HRANA News Agency – Shahriar Bayat, a 64-year-old political prisoner on death row and held in Evin Prison, is suffering from numerous health problems, including prostate disease, gout, gastrointestinal issues, and colitis. Despite the severity of his condition, he has been denied access to specialized medical care and external treatment facilities. Meanwhile, his case remains under review by the Supreme Court.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Bayat’s health has significantly deteriorated. In addition to his existing ailments, he is experiencing gum sores caused by incomplete dental treatments. Despite his repeated requests, he has only been sent to the prison’s infirmary a handful of times, where officials have provided nothing more than non-specialized medications. Prison authorities continue to block his access to specialist consultations or transfers to outside medical centers. Moreover, medication provided by his family last week has yet to be delivered to him.

Elahe Bayat, Mr. Bayat’s daughter, confirmed this information to HRANA. She revealed that her father had been beaten on the head during interrogations, resulting in chronic headaches. She also expressed concern about his drastic weight loss, declining mental health, and the toll his medical conditions have taken on his well-being. Elahe further noted that while an appeal against her father’s death sentence has been submitted to the Supreme Court, no progress has been made. Authorities have claimed that cases are processed based on their registration numbers, leaving his case in limbo.

Background on Shahriar Bayat’s Arrest and Sentencing
Shahriar Bayat was arrested on September 25, 2022, during nationwide protests. Security forces detained him at his home in Shahriar and transferred him to the Greater Tehran Prison before moving him to Evin Prison.

On March 1, 2023, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar sentenced Mr. Bayat in his first case. He received:

  • 1 year imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime,”
  • 2 years imprisonment for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader,”
  • 5 years imprisonment for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,”
  • 10 years imprisonment for “forming and managing illegal (virtual) groups to disrupt national security.”
    This totaled 18 years of imprisonment, of which 10 years were enforceable. Following a request for sentence reduction, his prison term was reduced to 8 years and 6 months.

In late February 2023, in a separate case, the 13th Branch of the Criminal Court of Tehran Province, presided over by Saeed Sherafati and Ali Taghian, sentenced Mr. Bayat to death for blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam, insulting other Islamic figures, and desecrating Islamic sanctities through posts on social media. This verdict contradicted the earlier decision by a minority panel, which commuted Bayat’s sentence to six months in prison after he expressed remorse.

It is noteworthy that the Shahriar Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office had previously issued a non-prosecution order for Mr. Bayat on the same charge. However, following an appeal by the Shahriar Prosecutor’s Office, the case was reviewed by the Shahriar Revolutionary Court. Since the Revolutionary Court lacked jurisdiction over blasphemy charges, the case was referred to the Criminal Court of Tehran Province.

The issued rulings and the legal proceedings so far highlight significant ambiguities in Mr. Bayat’s case.

Shahriar Bayat is a retired employee, married, and a resident of Shahriar, Tehran province.

Lawyer of Pakhshan Azizi: Execution Temporarily Halted

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Executions, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Maziar Tataei, Pakhshan Azizi

HRANA News Agency – Maziar Tataei, a defense attorney, announced that the Supreme Court has approved the temporary suspension of the death sentence for Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to execution.

In a statement, lawyer Maziar Tataei noted that during his follow-up at the Supreme Court for Azizi’s request for a retrial, the court branch handling the case agreed to suspend the execution in accordance with Note 478 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Previously, Amir Raisian, another lawyer for Pakhshan Azizi, reported that the Supreme Court had upheld Azizi’s death sentence, with Branch 39 dismissing the case’s numerous procedural flaws and confirming the sentence.

On July 24, Azizi was sentenced to death and four years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi)” through alleged membership in dissident groups.

On August 4, 2023, Azizi, along with her 67-year-old father Aziz Azizi (a lymphoma patient), her sister Parshang (49), and her sister’s husband Hossein Abbasi (49), was arrested in Tehran. The arrests were carried out by approximately 20 armed agents who stopped their moving vehicle, searched them, and transferred them to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

In protest against her family’s detention, Pakhshan began a hunger strike, which she ended after learning that her family members were released on bail after two weeks of solitary confinement. After being held in solitary confinement in Ward 209 for three months and three weeks, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 10, 2023.

Later, Aziz Azizi, Porshang Azizi, and Hossein Abbasi were sentenced to one year in prison each by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, also under Judge Iman Afshari, for “assisting a criminal in escaping prosecution and conviction.” Their sentences were upheld by the Tehran Court of Appeals on September 27, and their appeal was forwarded to the Supreme Court.

A source close to Azizi’s family told HRANA:
“Pakhshan has no affiliations with any groups. She worked as a social worker for 10 years in refugee camps in Rojava. The groups she worked with were fighting against ISIS—an enemy of both the Islamic Republic and the Quds Force. There was no direct conflict between Pakhshan’s associates and Iranian forces, a fact clearly evident in her case.”

In mid-October 2024, during a protest by female prisoners in Evin following the execution of Reza Rasaei and a clash with prison guards, Azizi was accused of “assaulting an officer and disobedience” and was sentenced to six months in prison by the Criminal Court.

Also, in August, 2024, Azizi faced new accusations of “inciting unrest in prison” during the second round of the 2024 presidential election, brought before Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

A native of Mahabad, Azizi has a history of arrests and judicial encounters. In 2009, she was detained on charges of political activity and was released after four months on bail.

Daily Interrogations: Elnaz Ahmadi’s Three-Month Detention in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Elnaz Ahmadi, Evin Prison, HRANA, Solmaz Ahmadi

HRANA News Agency – Elnaz (Solmaz) Ahmadi, a political detainee, has been held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison for nearly three months. She is transferred daily to Ward 209 for interrogation and then returned to her cell.

A source close to Ms. Ahmadi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “After two months in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Ms. Ahmadi was transferred to the women’s ward on December 29, 2024. She faces charges of ‘assembly and collusion against national security’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’ Despite this transfer, she continues to be interrogated daily in Ward 209 before being returned to the women’s ward.”

Elnaz Ahmadi, approximately 40 years old, holds a PhD in physics.

Mokhtar Alboshokeh Exposes Torture and Medical Neglect in Ahvaz Police Detention

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Mokhtar Alboshokeh, Sheiban Prison, مختار آلبوشوکه

HRANA News Agency – Mokhtar Alboshokeh, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has described the physical and psychological torture he endured in one of the police detention facilities in Ahvaz in an open letter.

In the letter, he recounts how officers subjected him to verbal sexual harassment and repeatedly struck his abdomen despite being aware of his hernia condition. These violent acts exacerbated his illness, causing severe pain. Alboshokeh, who is serving a life sentence, also reveals that he has been deprived of essential medical treatment, despite medical recommendations. Instead of receiving appropriate care, he has been forced to rely on heavy painkillers and medications to endure the pain caused by his condition and the torture.

Previously, Alboshokeh was removed from prison on orders from the Iranian Cyber Police (FATA) and was subsequently beaten while in one of the police detention centers in Ahvaz. His letter details the worsening of his condition due to the violent acts and the resulting injuries.

Here is the full text of Mokhtar Alboshokeh’s letter:

“When you’ve been in prison for 14 years with a life sentence plus five more years, even a glimpse of the streets, cars in motion, the trees lining the boulevards, or the hurried faces of people seems like embarking on a luxurious tour to see the most beautiful sights in the world. That’s why, on December 6, 2024, when I was called and escorted to a car within the prison grounds, a spark of excitement ignited in me. This feeling lasted only until I left the prison gate with a group of plainclothes agents I didn’t recognize. The person in the front seat turned, punched me hard in the face, and instructed his colleague beside me, ‘Put a blindfold and handcuffs on this scum!’

Holding my aching face, I resisted while the two officers beside me wrenched my hands away, forcing them behind my back to handcuff me. Their aggressive actions caused severe pain as I caught the last fleeting glimpses of the world outside the prison before a blindfold plunged me into complete darkness. At that moment, it struck me: ‘Mokhtar, this isn’t a sightseeing trip. There will be no boulevards, trees, cars, or faces of passersby to marvel at.’ But even then, I didn’t anticipate the extent of torture awaiting me—especially after spending 14 years in prison!

I tried to reassure myself: ‘I’ve already spent 14 years in prison with a life sentence for a crime I didn’t commit. What more could they want from me to justify tormenting me further?’ While I was lost in these thoughts, a powerful punch to my lower abdomen left me doubled over in pain. Reflexively, I said, ‘Please, don’t hit me! I have a severe hernia.’ The officer next to me, seemingly thrilled by this information, sneered and said, ‘Oh, even better!’ He hurled vulgar sexual insults and added, ‘A hernia, huh? I’ll make you forget all about it!’ before landing another brutal punch to the same spot.

During the drive to their detention center, their relentless barrage of obscene insults directed at my mother, sister, and family was so psychologically painful that it almost distracted me from the physical pain of their punches and slaps. After arriving at the facility—later revealed to belong to the Ahvaz Cyber Police (FATA)—I endured severe torture for several days.

I lost track of time but eventually passed out from the repeated punches and kicks, especially to my abdomen. When I regained consciousness, I found myself chained to a hospital bed with handcuffs and leg shackles. A man, presumably a doctor, was pleading with the officers, saying, ‘This man has a severe hernia, and there’s a high risk of rupture. He needs to stay here and undergo immediate surgery.’ Ignoring him as though he were talking to a wall, the plainclothes officers dragged me off the hospital bed after re-blindfolding and handcuffing me, returning me to their torture chamber.

This cycle of torture, vulgar insults aimed at my family, losing consciousness, being taken to the hospital, the doctor’s pleas for urgent treatment, and the officers’ indifference repeated itself. All of this happened while I was on a hunger strike. Eventually, I was returned to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. And why did they do all this? Because they found my name in the contact list of a phone belonging to someone who had been arrested. I’ve been in their prison for 14 years!

When I returned to the prison ward, I initially thought I had been gone for over two months. My cellmates reminded me it had only been 12 days—from December 6 to December 18. Now, a month after those events, I feel an irreparable void inside me—not because of the physical torture, but because of the psychological torment of their relentless vulgar insults against my loved ones. It’s a wound that will never heal.”

Background on Mokhtar Alboshokeh

Mokhtar Alboshokeh was arrested by security forces in March 2011 in the city of Khalafabad (also known as Ramshir) in Khuzestan Province. In July 2012, he was sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyyed Mohammad Bagher Mousavi, on charges of moharebeh (waging war against God), efsad-e-fel-arz (spreading corruption on earth), propaganda against the Islamic Republic, and actions against national security. His death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Report on the Latest Situation of Fatemeh Sepehri in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Fatemeh Sepehri, Hossein Sepehri, Mashhad, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Vakilabad prison, فاطمه سپهری

HRANA News Agency – Fatemeh Sepehri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, is enduring poor physical and environmental conditions despite needing regular medical care. Due to a heart condition and past surgery, she requires quarterly medical examinations.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Sepehri’s specialized medical needs remain unmet in prison, contributing to her deteriorating condition.

Her brother, Asghar Sepehri, stated that Fatemeh was examined by a cardiac surgeon on December 25 due to her heart condition. Additionally, three days later, she was seen by an orthopedic specialist for severe pain in both hands. The doctor administered pain-relieving injections and prescribed 10 physical therapy sessions, attributing the pain to psychological stress and the pressures of the prison environment.

Since December 5, Sepehri has only been allowed two hours of daily outdoor time under the supervision of a guard. Her brother emphasized that these harsh conditions are exacerbating her physical and mental health challenges.

Following her heart surgery in October last year, Sepehri has repeatedly requested medical or conditional leave, all of which have been denied by security agencies and the prison’s overseeing judge.

In June of 2024, Sepehri and her brothers, Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri and Hossein Sepehri, were sentenced to a total of 18 years and six months in prison. The charges against her included “assembly and collusion against national security,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “propaganda against the regime,” as well as an additional charge of “supporting a hostile government (Israel).”

Sepehri is currently serving a sentence from a prior case in Vakilabad Prison. She was temporarily released on medical leave on October 16, 2023, but was re-arrested at her home in Mashhad just three days later, and returned to prison.

In February 2023, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced her to an additional one year of imprisonment and a fine of 20 million tomans for “spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion.” She was also arrested on September 21 of that year at her home and transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fatemeh Sepehri is one of the signatories of a letter calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the initial trial, Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years of imprisonment, later reduced to three years and six months on appeal. In May, 2023, this sentence was conditionally suspended for five years, leading to her temporary release.