Category: Prisoners

Political Prisoner Arezoo Azarm-Sefat Serving Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Arezoo Azarm-Sefat, Evin Prison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Narges Mohammadi Transferred from Evin Prison to Hospital

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Golnaz Salah Chin

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

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

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

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

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

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Saman Yasin Granted Medical Leave After 26 Months in Prison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Zehtab Moghaddam

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

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

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

Arsham Rezaei Sentenced to Flogging and a Fine on Appeal

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News, Prisoners
Arsham Rezaei, Arsham Rezaie, Evin Prison, Fardis, flogging, Iman Afshari, Jamal al-Din Yassini, Karaj

Branch 41 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of 50 lashes and a monetary fine against Arsham Rezaei, a political prisoner in Evin Prison. The charges stem from a case initiated during his imprisonment.

Rezaei’s mother announced that Judge Seyed Jamal al-Din Yassini of Branch 41 confirmed her son’s conviction, which includes both the flogging and a fine of 16 million tomans. Another prisoner had accused Rezaei of insulting him and issuing death threats, which led to this case during his time in prison.

IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Arsham (Mahmoud) Rezaei at his home in Fardis, Karaj, on October 17, 2023, before transferring him to Evin Prison. His trial took place on December 25, 2023, where Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, alongside a 15-million-toman fine and other penalties.

Rezaei has a history of imprisonment due to his activism.

Flogging is considered a violation of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments. However, Iran continues to enforce such sentences despite widespread domestic and international criticism.

Five Female Prisoners Sentenced to 27 Months in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Narges Mohammadi, Pakhshan Azizi, Parivash Moslemi, Reza Rasaei, Tehran, Varishe Moradi

Varishe Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, Mahboobeh Rezaei, Narges Mohammadi, and Parivash Moslemi, all prisoners held in Evin Prison, have been sentenced to a total of 27 months and one day in prison in connection with a recently opened case against them.

The ruling, issued by Branch 2 of the Criminal Court at the Quds Judicial Complex in Tehran, was presided over by Judge Abolfazl Amiri Shahrabi. The verdict was delivered to the prisoners in Evin on Saturday, October 19. Pakhshan Azizi, Mahboobeh Rezaei, Narges Mohammadi, and Varishe Moradi each received six-month sentences, while Pariyoush Moslemi was sentenced to three months and one day. The charges against them included “assaulting officers” and “disobedience.” Ms. Moslemi was acquitted of “disturbing prison order,” and the other defendants were cleared of “property destruction.”

A source close to the family of one of the prisoners confirmed the news to HRANA, noting that “Only Ms. Moslemi attended the court session, while the other prisoners refused to appear in court.”

The case dates back to August 6, when inmates in Evin’s women’s ward protested after learning of the execution of Reza Rasaei, resulting in a clash with prison guards. Following the protest, several female prisoners, including these five, were barred from making phone calls or meeting with their families.

7 Political Defendants Begin Hunger Strike in Protest of Prolonged Detention

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News, Prisoners
Ashkan Mohammadi, Farshid Kazemi, Hooman Almasi, HRANA, Izeh, Maziar Nekooie, Ramin Mohammadi, Reza Karimnejad, Ruhollah Khosravi

Seven political defendants held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz—Ramin Mohammadi, Farshid Kazemi, Maziar Nekooie, Ruhollah Khosravi, Reza Karimnejad, Ashkan Mohammadi, and Hooman Almasi—have gone on hunger strike as of Saturday, October 19. The strike is in protest of their indefinite detention, which has lasted for over a year without trial. Following their action, all seven were transferred to solitary confinement.

A source close to one of the families confirmed to HRANA that the defendants initiated the hunger strike due to “their continued detention and the lack of progress in their judicial cases.” After launching the strike, they were moved to solitary confinement.

These detainees have been held in Sheiban Prison for more than 14 months without any court hearings to address their cases.

Hooman Almasi was arrested in April 2023, while Ashkan Mohammadi, Ramin Mohammadi, and Farshid Kazemi, all residents of Ahvaz, along with Reza Karimnejad and Maziar Nekooie, residents of Isfahan, were arrested in August 2023 by security forces in Izeh. Ruhollah Khosravi, born in 1989, is married and the father of two children. He was detained by security forces in Izeh on August 23, 2023.

After completing interrogations at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz, the detainees were transferred to Sheiban Prison.

Their cases are under review by a branch of the Izeh Prosecutor’s Office on charges related to national security. However, as of the time of this report, no specific details regarding the charges against them have been disclosed.