Category: Prisoners

Supreme Court Rejects Retrial for Political Prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou, Behrouz Ehsani, Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mehdi Hasani, Mehdi Hassani, moharebeh

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court’s Branch 39 has rejected the retrial request for political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani, who are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. The two were sentenced to death by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court in September 2024. Their executions had recently been halted following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of their lawyer’s retrial request.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has now denied their retrial. This decision was verbally communicated to Mehdi Hasani’s lawyer today.

On January 26, 2025, the two political prisoners were transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison under the pretext of medical treatment. Their executions had been temporarily suspended after their retrial request was officially submitted and accepted by the Supreme Court.

The two were sentenced to death in late September 2024 by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi),” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth,” collecting classified information, and collusion against national security. Their alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) was cited as evidence against them.

On Monday, November 28, 2022, Mr. Ehsani was arrested at his home in Tehran and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mr. Hasani was also arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan and was transferred to Evin Prison. Both individuals spent months in a state of uncertainty and incommunicado detention.

Behrooz Ehsani is 64 years old. Mehdi Hasani, aged around 48, is married and the father of two children. Before his arrest, he was active in the real estate sector.

67-Year-Old Political Prisoner Asadollah Hadi Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Asadollah Hadi, Evin Prison, HRANA

HRANA News Agency – Despite severe health issues and a forensic medical report confirming his inability to endure imprisonment, 67-year-old political prisoner Asadollah Hadi remains incarcerated in Evin Prison. He has been denied specialized medical treatment, phone calls, and family visits.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Asadollah Hadi continues to serve his sentence in Evin Prison without access to proper medical care.

A source close to Hadi’s family told HRANA: “Mr. Hadi suffers from cardiovascular diseases, herniated cervical and lumbar discs (which required surgery and metal implants), knee problems, hearing loss, kidney stones, and a brain condition that causes headaches and fainting. Nine years ago, the Social Security Organization confirmed that he is 63% disabled. Despite medical professionals acknowledging the severity of his condition, the forensic medical examiner ruled him unfit to endure imprisonment. However, higher authorities ordered the closure of his medical case, preventing his family from pursuing further action. He remains in urgent need of specialized treatment.”

The source added that since his arrest, Hadi has only been transferred to the hospital twice. In recent months, he has been denied family visits and phone calls. Last week, his family was once again barred from seeing him.

Hadi has previously undergone three angiographies and one open-heart surgery. In 2015, while serving a prior prison sentence, he underwent spinal surgery due to herniated cervical and lumbar discs that had affected his spinal cord, resulting in the implantation of metal screws and plates.

Asadollah Hadi was arrested on September 29, 2022, during the nationwide protests. He was initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for repeated interrogations before being transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison after 45 days. Six months later, he was moved back to Evin Prison.

Without access to legal representation, Hadi was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, to a total of seven years and seven months in prison on charges of “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” His sentence was later reduced to five years by the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Hadi, a former political prisoner from the 1980s, has a history of previous arrests and convictions.

Four Months in Legal Limbo: Mohammad-Ali and Hoda Mehreganfar Denied Medical Care in Shiraz Prison

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Fars Province, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Zarghan

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad-Ali Mehreganfar and his daughter, Hoda Mehreganfar, political detainees from Zarghan in Fars Province, have been held in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz for over four months without due process. Despite suffering from serious health issues, both have been denied medical care and access to essential medication.

HRANA has learned that the father and daughter were arrested by security forces in Zarghan on October 22, 2024. They were held for 58 days in an IRGC Intelligence detention facility before being transferred to Adelabad Prison. Authorities have accused them of alleged ties to an opposition group, and they remain in custody without the possibility of release on bail.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Hoda Mehreganfar had recently undergone gynecological surgery before her arrest. She received no medical care while in IRGC Intelligence detention, and now in Adelabad Prison, she is also being denied access to hospital treatment. Additionally, Mohammad-Ali Mehreganfar suffers from heart problems, and one of his eyes requires surgery, yet he has not received any medical attention.”

The source further stated: “Prison authorities have refused to provide Hoda Mehreganfar with her prescribed medications. The prison’s medical unit has informed her that she must personally cover the cost and arrange for the medicine to be brought from outside. However, she has no one outside prison to handle her medical needs.”

Mohammad-Ali Mehreganfar, 66, is a former political prisoner from the 1980s. His daughter, Hoda Mehreganfar, 38, is an electronics engineer. Both are residents of Zarghan, Fars Province.

Two Months After Arrest at Mehrabad Airport: Amirhossein Mousavi Still in Limbo

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News, Prisoners
Amirhossein Mousavi, Reza Shafakhah

HRANA News Agency – Reza Shafakhah, a defense attorney, has announced that his client, Amirhossein Mousavi, was arrested nearly two months ago at Mehrabad Airport and remains in an uncertain situation.

Reza Shafakhah stated that Mousavi’s account on the social media platform X had been monitored for about six months, leading to his identification and subsequent arrest. He was detained on December 18 at Mehrabad Airport while preparing to travel to Kish Island. He has now been held in temporary detention for nearly two months, and his family is deeply concerned about his situation.

As of the time of this report, there is no information regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his place of detention.

Amirhossein Mousavi, 40 years old, was active on X under the username “James Bi Din (a play on ‘Irreligious James’)” before his arrest.

Minoo Roozehdar Still in Limbo 25 Days After Arrest

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Minou Roozehdar, مینو روزه دار

HRANA News Agency – Minoo Roozehdar, a Tehran resident, remains in legal uncertainty in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, 25 days after her arrest. She was recently charged at Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “She was recently charged at Branch 5 of Evin Prosecutor’s Office with ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.’”

Roozehdar was arrested on January 20, 2025, by security forces in Tehran and taken to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility, known as Ward 1-A. After a week, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Roozehdar is a mother of three and remains in detention without clarity on the next steps in her case.

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After Supreme Court Overturns Verdict, Death Sentence Reissued for Sharifeh Mohammadi

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, Sharifeh Mohammadi

HRANA News Agency – Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has once again been sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht. Her initial death sentence had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel court for retrial.

Based on the ruling issued by Judge Darvish Goftar of Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, which was delivered to her lawyers today, Mohammadi has been sentenced to death on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in an opposition group.”

Mohammadi was sentenced to death on July 4, 2023, on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) due to her alleged membership in an opposition group. This sentence against the female labor activist triggered widespread public outcry.

Her trial, held on June 8, 2023, revolved around multiple charges, including propaganda against the regime, actions against national security, and baghi through her supposed affiliation with the group.

Mohammadi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence at her home in Rasht on December 5, 2023. Later that month, she was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, only to be sent back to Lakan after some time.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no ties to the Komala group. The charge of baghi is based on her alleged membership in this group, which is not true.”

Uncertainty in Retrial Process: Latest Update on the Case of Behfar Lalehzari

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Lalehzari, Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, ایمان افشاری, بهفر لاله زاری

HRANA News Agency – Behfar Lalehzari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been waiting for nearly nine months for a decision on his retrial request at Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

A source close to Lalehzari’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“Mr. Lalehzari submitted his retrial request nearly nine months ago, but Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has yet to review it. In protest against this negligence, he will begin a hunger strike.”

Lalehzari, who suffers from multiple health issues, has submitted nine requests for medical furlough, all of which have been denied by prison officials.

On September 18, 2023, security forces arrested Behfar Lalehzari at his home. After seven days in solitary confinement at the Security Police detention facility, he was transferred to Evin Prison.

Later, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced him to four years in prison for “assembly and collusion against internal security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling five years. The verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Death Sentence and 25 Years in Prison for Three Detainees from the 2022 Protests

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ali Ghasemi, Bukan, Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Soran Ghasemi

HRANA News Agency – Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, and Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, who were arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Bukan, have been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Urmia Criminal Court to execution, 15 years, and 10 years in prison, respectively, on charges of killing a security officer. Kaveh Salehi, the fourth defendant in this case, has been acquitted of the charges.

Based on the verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Urmia Criminal Court and officially communicated to the defendants in prison, Pejman Soltani has been sentenced to death for allegedly ordering the killing of a security officer, while Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri and Ali Ghasemi have been sentenced to 15 and 10 years in prison, respectively, for alleged participation in the killing. Kaveh Salehi, the fourth defendant in this case, has been acquitted of the charges.

The trial for these individuals was held on December 23, 2023, in the aforementioned court. These individuals were arrested in April-April 2023.

In addition to this case, these individuals, along with Javanmard Mam-Khosrawi, are facing another trial in the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges such as moharebeh (waging war against God), baghi (armed rebellion), assembly and collusion against national security, financing terrorism, propaganda against the regime, espionage and collaboration with hostile states, possession of satellite internet equipment (Starlink), possession of unauthorized weapons, and membership in banned groups.

Among them, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri is currently on hunger strike in Urmia Prison in protest against the verdict and the prolonged uncertainty in his case.

After Writing a Letter to Khamenei, Mohammad Davari Transferred to an Unknown Location

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Mohammad Davari, Shiraz, محمد داوری

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad Davari, a labor activist serving his sentence in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, was transferred to an undisclosed location yesterday. According to his defense attorney, this transfer is linked to a letter he wrote yesterday to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, in which he described torture, threats of sexual violence, and fabricated charges against him in prison.

His lawyer, Fereshteh Tabanian, confirmed the news, stating:
“Following the publication of my client Mohammad Davari’s letter to Mr. Khamenei, he was taken from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz to an unknown location this morning.”

Another defense lawyer, Astareh Ansari, based in Shiraz, has been unable to obtain any information on Davari’s whereabouts despite persistent inquiries.

Details of the Letter

Two days ago, Mohammad Davari wrote a letter from prison, detailing torture, threats of sexual assault, and fabricated cases against him. He also accused prison officials of violent treatment, medical negligence, and inhumane conditions for inmates.

Davari’s Sentence

In November, 2024, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mahmoud Sadati, sentenced him to:

  • Three years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” along with a travel ban, passport revocation, a ban on online activities, and two years of forced residence in Bardsir, Kerman.
  • One year and six months in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups.”

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the longest sentence—three years in prison—was enforceable.

Background

Mohammad Davari, aged around 30, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Azad University of Yasuj and is a Political Science undergraduate student at Golestan University of Shiraz. He has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

He was last arrested on May 14, 2024, and transferred to Adelabad Prison to serve his sentence.

University Professor Mohammad Sa’adati Transferred to Hamedan Prison to Serve His Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Birjand University, Mohammad Saadati

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, February 5, Mohammad Sa’adati, a dismissed professor from Birjand University, was arrested and transferred to Hamedan Prison to serve his seven-month prison sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, a source close to Sa’adati’s family confirmed that he was taken into custody on February 6 after reporting to the Enforcement of Sentences Office in Hamedan to begin his prison term.

Sa’adati was previously sentenced in absentia by the Birjand Revolutionary Court to seven months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” In a separate ruling, Branch 2 of the Birjand Criminal Court fined him three million tomans for “spreading false information.”

One of the primary accusations against Sa’adati was his interviews with foreign media outlets.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Sa’adati had relocated to Turkey with his family before returning to Iran. Upon his arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport on May 18, 2024, security agents confiscated his passport and electronic devices, along with those of his family members.

Shortly after, Sa’adati was arrested in Hamedan by intelligence agents and was released a day later on bail.

Earlier, on September 9, 2023, Mohammad Sa’adati, a toxicology professor, was officially dismissed from Birjand University.