Category: Prisoners

Houman Almasi: Over 600 Days of Uncertainty in Sheiban Prison Without Trial

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Houman Almasi, HRANA, Sheiban Prison, هومان الماسی

Houman Almasi, a political detainee, has been held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 600 days without trial or legal resolution, according to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran.

Despite his prolonged detention, authorities have taken no action to address his case or convene a court hearing.

On October 19, 2024, Mr. Almasi began a hunger strike to protest his indefinite legal limbo. Following this, he was transferred to solitary confinement within Sheiban Prison. He ended his hunger strike after receiving assurances from prison officials, after which he was returned to the general ward.

A source close to Mr. Almasi previously informed HRANA that the detainee, who suffers from kidney disease, has been denied specialized medical care and access to treatment outside the prison.

Houman Almasi was initially arrested in March-April 2023 by security forces and detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz. After two months of interrogation, he was transferred to Sheiban Prison, where he remains in custody.

As of this report, the charges against Mr. Almasi remain undisclosed.

Agrin Sedighi: Political Prisoner Serving Six-Month Sentence in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Agrin Sedighi, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

Agrin Sedighi, a political prisoner, is currently serving her sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Ms. Sedighi was previously sentenced to six months in prison by Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Ms. Sedighi, aged around 23, is serving her prison term in the women’s ward of Vakilabad Prison.

Based on HRANA’s findings, Ms. Sedighi was arrested on July 17, 2024, after appearing before Branch 21 of the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office for enforcement of sentences. She was then transferred to Vakilabad Prison. Earlier, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to six months in prison on charges of “propaganda on the Internet in support of the Zionist regime.”

The activities cited in support of these charges included social media posts, which the court interpreted as examples of propaganda against the regime.

Nasrin Roshan: Iranian-British Dual National Serving Three-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nasrin Roshan, Tehran, نسرین روشن

Nasrin Roshan, an Iranian-British dual national, is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in Evin Prison. Her sentence was handed down by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the initial ruling against Ms. Roshan was issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. She was originally sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” However, after filing an appeal, her total sentence was reduced to three years.

Sources close to the case have reported that the charges against Ms. Roshan, who resided in the United Kingdom for many years, were based on her participation in protests abroad following the death of Mahsa Amini.

HRANA’s investigation revealed that Ms. Roshan was arrested on November 16, 2023, at Imam Khomeini International Airport while attempting to leave Iran. She was subsequently detained in a solitary confinement cell within the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Born in 1963, Ms. Roshan was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on January 1, 2024, after completing her interrogation.

This case highlights the ongoing risks faced by dual nationals and activists engaging in protests or dissent abroad.

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.

Narges Mohammadi Released on Medical Leave Following Suspension of Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Mostafa Nili, Narges Mohammadi, نرگس محمدی

Today, December 4, Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, was granted a 21-day medical leave after her prison sentence was temporarily suspended.

Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, explained, “Based on a forensic report, the Tehran prosecutor suspended her sentence for three weeks due to her medical condition following surgery to remove a tumor and a bone graft performed 21 days ago. Fortunately, the tumor was benign, but she requires check-ups every three months.”

Mohammadi has long suffered from heart conditions, breast masses, and chronic back pain. Despite needing urgent medical care, including angiography, she often faced denial of access to treatment. On October 27, she was hospitalized for surgery and  returned to prison on November 16.

Narges Mohammadi has faced numerous convictions, totaling 15 years and 6 months of prison sentences, as well as 154 lashes, exile, and restrictions on travel and social activities.

In 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.”

Mostafa Tajzadeh Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Evin Prison, Mostafa Tajzadeh

Mostafa Tajzadeh, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges stemming from a new case opened against him during his incarceration.

A recent verdict issued by Judge Abolghasem Salavati of Branch 15 sentenced Tajzadeh to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” totaling six years. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence—five years—will be enforceable.

Fakhrosadat Mohtashami-Pour, Tajzadeh’s wife, revealed that the case was filed by the IRGC Intelligence Organization. She also noted that this is the third time since 2009 that Judge Salavati has issued a new sentence against her husband.

In March 2024, a new case was opened against Tajzadeh while he was already imprisoned, and he was summoned to Evin Prosecutor’s Office. At the time, Tajzadeh stated: “As before, I refused to accept the summons and declared that I would not appear in court or the prosecutor’s office. The judiciary is free to convict me in absentia.”

Previously, Tajzadeh had criticized the revival of the the “Guidance Patrol” program known as “Noor Plan” by the Iranian police (FARAJA). In a letter from Evin Prison, he attributed the reinstatement of this program to the orders or approval of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, writing: “No authority other than the Leader can mandate directives for the police.” Tajzadeh, who served as the Deputy Interior Minister for Political Affairs for several years, emphasized in his letter that only the Supreme Leader has such authority over the police.

The prominent political activist was apprehended by security forces on July 8, 2022, and subsequently transferred to Ward 2-A in Evin Prison under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). After months of legal uncertainty, Tajzadeh was sentenced to eight years in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati. The charges included “assembly and collusion against national security,” “disseminating false information,” and “propaganda against the regime,” with five years of the verdict deemed enforceable.

Tajzadeh, who previously served as the deputy interior minister under President Mohammad Khatami, has a history of judicial confrontations and periods of incarceration stemming from his activism.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Toomaj Salehi Released from Prison After Serving Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Amir Raisian, Isfahan, Mostafa Nili, Toomaj Salehi, توماج صالحی

The public relations office of Isfahan’s Judiciary has announced that Toomaj Salehi, a protest rapper, was released from prison on Sunday, December 1, 2024, after completing a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime.”

The Judiciary’s media center, citing the Isfahan Judiciary’s public relations office, confirmed that Mr. Salehi’s release marked the end of his imprisonment on these charges.

Recently, Mostafa Nili, one of Salehi’s lawyers, revealed that Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan had closed his 2022 case, issuing a decision to discontinue prosecution.

Earlier, another of Salehi’s lawyers, Amir Raisian, had disclosed that the same court had dismissed the charge of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e-fel-arz), which had initially resulted in a death sentence, and instead acquitted him of that charge.

In April of this year, Salehi was sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan on the charge of “corruption on earth.” However, following an appeal, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence in early July and referred the case to Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court for further review.

Salehi’s release concludes a complex legal ordeal that included facing and ultimately overcoming charges that carried the death penalty.

Salehi was arrested in late October 2022 in connection with the nationwide protests by security forces. Official news agencies claimed that he was attempting to illegally leave the country through the western borders, a claim denied by his associates. In July last year, he was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan to six years and three months in prison, a travel ban, a ban on producing music and singing, and two years of mandatory behavior management and skills training. After this sentence was overturned by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, he was released on bail on November 18, 2023.

Nevertheless, Salehi’s freedom was short-lived as he was re-arrested in Babol on November 30, just twelve days after being bailed out from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The Judiciary spokesperson cited Salehi’s post-release statement as grounds for this subsequent arrest.

In January of 2024, in another part of his case, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced him to one year in prison, two years of passport invalidation, and participation in behavior management courses on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime.’ This sentence was upheld by the Isfahan Provincial Court of Appeals in late February. Late last year, Branch 117 of Criminal Court 2 in Isfahan acquitted him of the charges of ‘spreading falsehoods’ and ‘inciting violence.’

Toomaj Salehi, a protest rapper from Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, had previously been sentenced to six months in prison and a fine in 2021 for ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’

Prolonged Legal Limbo: Fariborz Sebghatollahi Held Without Trial in Rasht

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Astara, Fariborz Sebghatollahi, HRANA, Lakan prison, فریبرز سبقت اللهی

Fariborz Sebghatollahi, a political detainee from Astara, has been held in legal limbo at Lakan Prison in Rasht for over 130 days.

HRANA’s sources report that he was charged in a Rasht prosecutor’s office on suspicion of membership in an opposition group. For the past 136 days, he has been held without resolution in Lakan Prison, and no court hearing has been scheduled.

Sebghatollahi was arrested on July 17, 2024, by Astara Intelligence Ministry agents. He was initially detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Astara for two days before being transferred to the Ministry’s detention center in Rasht. After interrogation, he was moved to Lakan Prison.

Previously, a source informed HRANA: “Sebghatollahi was repeatedly subjected to interrogations, psychological torture, threats against his family, and humiliation while in detention at the Ministry of Intelligence facility in Rasht. During his arrest, his daughter, daughter-in-law, ex-wife, and several friends were also detained but later released.”

Sebghatollahi, approximately 50 years old, resides in Astara.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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