Category: Prisoners

A Report on the Latest Situation of Ali Pasban in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Ali Pasban, Isfahan, Kashan, Mashhad, Political Prisoner, Vakilabad prison, علی پاسبان

Ali Pasban, a political prisoner, is serving his seven-year sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He is being held in the same ward as prisoners convicted of violent crimes, in violation of prison regulations.

A source close to Mr. Pasban’s family told HRANA, “He is being held in the violent criminals’ ward, Salon 102, Ward 5 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, without adherence to the principle of separation of crimes. Recently, after he protested against the inappropriate behavior of a prison official, he was threatened. The guards told him they would hire individuals in that ward to harm him. He reported to his family about ongoing harassment, threats, and the danger to his life, and requested legal assistance.”

This citizen was arrested on August 26, 2021, in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in this city. In January 2022, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on charges of “membership in opposition groups intending to disrupt national security.”
Additionally, in March-April 2022, he was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
Mr. Pasban had previously been convicted and served prison sentences in Isfahan and Kashan in 2018 and 2019 on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

Political Detainee Parivash Moslemi Detained for Over 15 Days

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for over fifteen days with unclear legal status.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Moslemi was arrested on July 7th after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Parivash has also been charged with offenses such as ‘propaganda against the regime,’ ‘insulting the Founder and the Supreme Leader,’ and ‘assembly and collusion against national security.'”

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in Varamin.

Report on the Latest Status of Atefeh Rangriz in Shahroud Prison

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News, Prisoners
Atefeh Rangriz, Damghan, HRANA, Shahroud prison, عاطفه رنگریز

Atefeh Rangriz, a women’s rights activist, is serving her sentence in Shahroud Prison. Ms. Rangriz was previously sentenced by the Shahroud Revolutionary Court to over three years and three months in prison.

A source close to the family of this women’s rights activist confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Rangriz has recently begun serving her prison term in Shahroud Prison. This women’s rights activist was previously sentenced by the Shahroud Revolutionary Court to two years, seven months, and sixteen days for ‘collaborating and being a member of opposition groups’ and to seven months and sixteen days for ‘propaganda against the regime.'”

The source added: “Rangriz was also fined six million tomans, which was altered following the prosecutor’s objection to the mentioned prison term.”

On June 29, Rangriz was arrested and transferred to Shahroud Prison for sentencing after a court session addressing her charges in another case at Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Damghan. For this case, she faces the charges of ‘forming a group to disrupt national security, propaganda against the regime, and spreading falsehoods on social media to disturb public opinion.’

Atefeh Rangriz was arrested by security forces in Damghan on September 10, 2023, and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Semnan. After completing interrogation, she was transferred to Shahroud Prison. Finally, on October 21, 2023, she was released from Shahroud Prison on bail.

Ms. Rangriz has previously been arrested and sentenced due to her activism.

Civil Rights Advocate Mohammad Abolhassani Faces Deprivations in Choobindar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Choobindar Prison, Mohammad Abolhassani, Qazvin, محمد ابوالحسنی

Mohammad Abolhassani, a civil rights activist, is serving his sentence in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin. Mr. Abolhassani has faced various deprivations in this prison due to his refusal to perform forced labor.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Since July 14, the authorities of Choobindar Prison have violated the principle of separation of crimes by transferring Mr. Abolhassani from Ward 17 to Ward 14, which is designated for financial crimes. In this ward, prisoners are obliged to perform forced labor. Mr. Abolhassani’s refusal to do forced labor led the authorities to deny his request for leave.”

The informed source added that this prisoner has also been threatened with punitive transfer to solitary confinement and deprivation of all prison facilities, including having a bed, if he continues to refuse forced labor.

Mohammad Abolhassani was summoned on December 14, 2021, to serve his prison sentence and was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison on January 1, 2022. On February 6, 2023, without prior notice, he was beaten and transferred from Evin Prison to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

Regarding a new case opened against him during his imprisonment, Abolhassani was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Qazvin to three months in prison and twelve lashes for “disturbing public order. Ultimately, this prison sentence was converted to a fine.

In January 2021, while serving his previous sentence, he was tried in a new case along with two co-defendants and was initially sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to fifteen months in prison and four months of forced labor at the Agricultural Jihad Organization for four hours a day. In March 2021, this sentence was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

In October 2022, he was also sentenced to four years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran for another case opened against him during his imprisonment.

Mohammad Abolhassani, a resident of Qazvin, has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activism.

Maryam Mehrabi Initiates Hunger Strike in Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan

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News, Prisoners, Women
Dolatabad Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi, مریم مهرابی

Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher imprisoned in Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, who is being held in solitary confinement, has gone on a hunger strike.

A source close to Mehrabi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Family inquiries revealed that Ms. Mehrabi is being held in Dolatabad Women’s Prison in Isfahan. She was transferred to solitary confinement some time ago and has gone on a hunger strike to protest the psychological pressure, poor conditions, and separation from her children. She has been hospitalized in the prison infirmary several times. The inability to meet or contact her has increased her family’s concerns.”

This citizen was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Mehrabi’s brother, Mahmoud, a political prisoner, has been sentenced to death on charges of “spreading corruption on earth.” He is currently held at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

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Report on the Latest Status of Neda Fotoohi in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Neda Fotoohi, Neda Fotouhi, Tehran Revolutionary Court, ندا فتوحی

Neda Fotoohi, a prisoner of conscience, is serving her sentence in Evin Prison. She has been sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Initially, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Ms. Fotouhi to three years in prison for “propaganda against the regime and membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh group (believing in interuniversal mysticism),” and to three years and eight months for “assembly and collusion against national security through her presence and encouragement of others in Mahsa Amini’s protests and its anniversary.”
Mohammad-Zaman Daryabari, the defense lawyer for this political prisoner, also published an update on the latest status of her case, stating: “Branch 39 of the Supreme Court issued a retrial request for my client, Fotouhi. However, Branch 54 of the same rank Revolutionary Court rejected Ms. Fotoohi’s retrial request, and she was sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison.”

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, which is three years and eight months in prison, was enforceable for her.

Neda Fotoohi, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces at her friend’s house in September-October 2023.

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.

Continued Detention and Uncertainty of Nasim Gholami Simiyari in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ali Harati Mokhtari, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Baghi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Evin Prison, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Hossein Ardestani, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Nasim Gholami Simiyari

Nasim Gholami Simiyari, aged 36, facing the charge of armed rebellion (Baghi), remains in an uncertain state in Evin Prison despite 425 days having passed since her arrest.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Gholami has been in detention for nearly fourteen months. Despite a court session held on June 30 in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, no verdict has been issued for her on the charge of “armed rebellion.” Gholami Simiyari remains in an uncertain state in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. She is part of a joint case with seven other defendants: Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Amin Sokhanvar, Ali Harati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Amir Shah Velayati, and Hossein Ardestani.

Gholami Simiyari was arrested on May 18, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents on a street in Tehran. She was transferred to Ward 1-A of the IRGC, held in solitary confinement, and interrogated. After two months, she was transferred to Ward 2-A and eventually to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on September 26, 2023.

After five months in detention, she was charged with “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “armed rebellion (Baghi).”

According to a friend of Ms. Simiyari, “She was subjected to psychological and physical torture during her detention, and forced confessions were obtained from her in front of a camera at the detention facility. The confessions were dictated and forced by the interrogator.”

Political Prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj Revolutionary Court, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, زرتشت احمدی راغب

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a political prisoner held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years in exile in connection with a new case opened against him during his imprisonment.

Based on a verdict issued in absentia by Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, and recently communicated to Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb in Ghezel Hesar Prison, he has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years of exile in Qeydar, located in Zanjan province, on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”
A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb was recently transferred to solitary confinement and, upon returning to the public ward last week, was notified of the new sentence. This case was initiated during his imprisonment following a complaint by Ghezel Hesar Prison officials against him.”

Ahmadi Ragheb’s arrest took place in March 2023, leading to his incarceration in Evin Prison. In May 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran imposed a five-year and eight-month prison sentence along with additional penalties. Notably, five years of this term are currently enforceable.

In September of the same year, he, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Ahmadi Ragheb has a history of previous convictions and imprisonments due to his commitment to peaceful activism.

Ongoing Detention and Lack of Information on Marzieh Rigi Khalas’s Whereabouts

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News, Prisoners
Davood Rigi, Fazelabad, Golestan province, HRANA, Marzieh Rigi Khales, Zahedan, مرضیه ریگی خالص

Marzieh Rigi Khales, a resident of Zahedan, remains in detention and incommunicado 44 days after her arrest. Security forces have cited her husband’s activities on social media as the reason for her detention and have demanded that her husband surrender to the security authorities.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “This citizen traveled from Zahedan to Fazelabad city in Golestan province on June 1st to attend a relative’s wedding and was staying at her father’s house. Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in Gorgan raided the house and arrested Ms. Rigi Khales. The agents stated that the reason for her detention was to compel her husband to surrender to the security authorities, claiming that he had been active on social media against the regime.”

According to HRANA reports, during her detention, Rigi Khales has contacted her family twice by phone, but her whereabouts remain unknown, heightening her family’s concerns.

Rigi Khales, aged 28, is a mother of two children. HRANA has verified the identity of her husband, Davood Rigi from Zahedan.

Extended Detention: Ongoing Uncertainty for Aman Jalali Nejad in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Aman Jalali Nejad, HRANA, Khuzestan, Sheiban Prison, امان جلالی نژاد

Aman Jalali Nejad, a teacher residing in Ahvaz, remains in detention and uncertainty for over ninety days in Sheiban Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, recently, Jalali Nejad’s detention was extended for another month until August 10.

Jalali Nejad was arrested by security forces at the entrance of Ahvaz on April 8, 2024. In early June of this year, he was transferred from the quarantine ward of Sheiban Prison to the prison’s security ward.

This teacher was charged with “propaganda against the regime” on June 10, 2024, in Branch 13 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Aman Jalali Nejad is a teacher and painter employed by the Khuzestan Province Department of Education and resides in Ahvaz.