Category: Prisoners

Report on the Latest Status of Political Prisoner Saeideh Ghorbanali in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Saeideh Ghorbanali, Shahriar, Tehran

Saeideh (Bahareh) Ghorbanali, a political prisoner, is currently serving a two-year prison sentence in Evin Prison, as upheld by the Tehran Court of Appeals. Her transfer to the women’s ward occurred on September 7, 2024, following her arrest to serve this sentence.

According to a source close to Ghorbanali’s family, who confirmed the details to HRANA, Ghorbanali has recently been denied in-person visits with her family by direct order of the prison warden.

Ghorbanali’s legal troubles began in early 2019 when she was first arrested by security forces in Shahriar. Shortly after her initial detention, she was released on bail.

She later faced trial alongside nine others in a joint case at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. In late 2019, Ghorbanali was sentenced to three years in prison on charges including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader.”

In May 2020, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Zargar, upheld her sentence. However, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, only the severest charge is applied, making Ghorbanali subject to two years of imprisonment.

Farzad Moazami Goudarzi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Borujerd, Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, Reza Moazzami Goodarzi

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, a relative of Reza Moazzami Goodarzi, one of the victims of the November 2019 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after months of uncertainty in Evin Prison.

In a ruling issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, Moazzami Goodarzi was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, a close relative of Reza Moazzami Goodarzi (who was killed during the November 2019 protests), was arrested on April 4, 2023, by security forces in front of his residence in Borujerd. He was later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, where he remained in limbo for over five months.

He had previously been arrested by security forces in Borujerd on September 5, 2023, but was released after a short period on bail from the city’s Prison.

It is worth noting that Reza Moazzami Goodarzi, aged around 24, was killed by gunfire in Shahriar on November 17, 2019, during the nationwide protests. His body was laid to rest in Borujerd.

Maryam Akbari Monfared’s Imprisonment Extended by Two Years After Completion of 15-Year Sentence

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News, Prisoners
evin court, Hossein Taj, Maryam Akbari-Monfared, moharebeh, Semnan, Zeinab Jalalian

On October 11, Maryam Akbari Monfared completed her 15-year prison sentence, but she remains behind bars due to the enforcement of a new two-year sentence. This extension means the political prisoner, who is the second longest-held female political detainee in Iran, will continue her incarceration.

Akbari Monfared’s lawyer, Hossein Taj, commented on the situation: “After 15 years of imprisonment with exile and not a single day of furlough, my client’s sentence ended. Over the years, several cases were initiated against her, most of which ended in acquittal. However, the latest case, presented without evidence, resulted in a two-year sentence. According to the law, the new sentence should be served in Tehran.”

Akbari Monfared was arrested on December 31, 2009, following the Ashura protests, demonstrations that erupted in response to the disputed results of the 2009 presidential election. In June 2010, she was sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, to 15 years in prison. She was charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, an accusation she has consistently denied.

On March 9, 2021, Akbari Monfared was transferred from Evin Prison to Semnan Prison, where she has been held in the general ward. Her detention conditions violate the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their crimes, and she has had limited access to health facilities.

In July 2022, two new cases were brought against her in the courts of Evin and Semnan. A year later, in July 2023, her lawyer confirmed that she had been sentenced to an additional two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court.

Akbari Monfared’s family has a history of political persecution. Two of her brothers were executed in 1981 and 1984 by Iran’s Revolutionary Courts for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. In 1988, her younger brother and sister were also executed during the mass killings of political prisoners.

A mother of three daughters, Maryam Akbari Monfared now holds the position of the second longest-serving female political prisoner in Iran, following Zeinab Jalalian.

Over Eight Months of Detention: Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim Denied Bail and Legal Representation in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Evin Prison, HRANA, Qarchak, عظیمی قدیم

Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist and cleric, has been held in Evin Prison for over eight months without a clear legal outcome, as authorities continue to reject requests for his temporary release on bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Azimi Ghadim has now spent 248 days in detention without a formal resolution to his case. Despite repeated appeals, authorities have refused to convert his detention to bail. Furthermore, he has been denied access to legal counsel, limiting his ability to defend himself effectively.

A source close to Azimi Ghadim’s family confirmed to HRANA that he has gone on hunger strike twice since his arrest, protesting his prolonged detention and the lack of resolution in his case. This has raised serious concerns about his health and well-being.

In July 2024, a hearing was held at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by the notorious Judge Abolqasem Salavati, to review the charges against him. Azimi Ghadim defended himself against accusations of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.” Despite his defense, no resolution was reached, and his legal situation remains uncertain.

Azimi Ghadim was originally arrested on February 7, 2024, by security forces in Qarchak while traveling from Qom to Tehran. He was first taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 240 of Evin Prison, before being transferred to the general ward.

Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim has a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations related to his activism. His continued detention and denial of basic legal rights underscore the broader pattern of suppression faced by political and ethnic activists in Iran.

Mohammad Tahmasbi Held Without Charges for Over 50 Days in Ahvaz Ministry of Intelligence Detention Facility

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Izeh, Mohammad Tahmasbi, Urmia, محمد طهماسبی

Mohammad Tahmasbi, a 32-year-old resident of Izeh, has been detained in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz for more than 50 days without being formally charged, despite suffering from serious health issues.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA, “Mr. Tahmasbi has been held without charges for 50 days in Ahvaz. He suffers from intestinal adhesions and shortness of breath, requiring specialized medical treatment that is unavailable in the detention facility.”

Tahmasbi was arrested by security forces in Urmia on August 13, 2024, before being transferred to Ahvaz. After a month of no contact, he informed his family via a phone call that he was being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz.

To date, no details have been provided about the reasons for Tahmasbi’s arrest or any charges filed against him.

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Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Fine

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammadi Rahbari, Varamin

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Rahbari, a 26-year-old citizen currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six years in prison and a substantial monetary fine by the court.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining, “Mr. Mohammadi was recently sentenced by the judiciary to six years in prison and fined 250 million tomans (approximately $4,200).” The source added that he was arrested last year due to his activities on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), ahead of the first anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests. One of the main charges brought against him includes “manufacturing explosives for use in protests.”

Mohammadi was violently arrested on September 15, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. After some time in Ward 209, he was moved to the general ward.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi is a resident of Varamin.

Javad Mohammadi-Fard Attempts Suicide in Urmia Prison

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Javad Mohammadi-Fard, Urmia, Urmia prison

Javad Mohammadi-Fard, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, attempted suicide by hanging. He was transferred to a psychiatric facility and returned to prison hours later.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family told HRANA: “On Monday, September 23, Mr. Mohammadi-Fard attempted suicide by hanging due to severe stomach illness and the authorities’ refusal to grant him medical leave. Instead of being transferred to a hospital for proper medical treatment, he was sent to the Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Urmia and returned to prison just hours later.”

The source added, “Prison officials did not allow all family members to visit Mohammadi-Fard, and only his brother was granted access. His health condition remains poor.”

Despite suffering from stomach pain and bleeding, suspected by a doctor to be cancer, Mohammadi-Fard has been denied specialized treatment and medical leave.

Javad Mohammadi-Fard was arrested in July 2022 in Urmia and released on bail. In July 2023, he was sentenced by the Urmia Revolutionary Court on national security charges. His sentence was upheld in February 2024, and he was sentenced to four years in prison. He was transferred to Urmia Prison in April 2024 to serve his sentence.

Sarvenaz Ahmadi on 17th Day of Hunger Strike in Evin Prison Over Denial of Medical Leave

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hunger Strike, Sarvenaz Ahmadi, Sarvnaz Ahmadi, سروناز احمدی

Sarvenaz Ahmadi, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison who suffers from mental health issues, has entered the 17th day of her hunger strike in protest against the denial of her request for medical leave.

A source close to the case confirmed to HRANA: “Ms. Ahmadi, who recently suffered another nervous breakdown, is now on the 17th day of her medication strike. Despite her deteriorating physical and mental condition, she has refused to take her prescribed medication, including sedatives. This has caused constant headaches, insomnia, and muscle spasms, and there is a risk of further nervous attacks.”

Ahmadi previously experienced a “panic attack” during a raid by security forces on the women’s ward of Evin Prison and was transferred to a hospital. Doctors had earlier suggested that Ms. Ahmadi’s condition could be linked to epilepsy and recommended that she receive proper medical attention outside the prison.

This children’s rights activist began her hunger strike on Saturday, September 7, in protest against the denial of her medical leave request and delays in receiving her necessary medication.

Ahmadi was arrested on April 28, 2023, ahead of International Workers’ Day, along with several labor and union activists, at the home of Mohammad Habibi, a teachers’ union activist, and was transferred to Evin Prison.

Ms. Ahmadi was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling six years. However, this sentence was later reduced to three years and six months by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

She had also been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was released on bail on December 7 of the same year.

Ahmadi holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran and is a dedicated children’s rights activist.

Growing Concern Over Detained Izeh Resident Hojjat Al-Mohammadi

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Hojjat Al-Mohammadi, HRANA, Izeh, حجت آل محمدی

Hojjat Al-Mohammadi, a resident of Izeh, has been detained for over eight days with no information on his current location, sparking growing concerns among his family and loved ones.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that security forces arrested Mr. Al-Mohammadi at his home in Izeh on Monday, September 16. Despite repeated efforts by his family and lawyer to inquire with security and judicial authorities, officials have refused to disclose any details regarding his whereabouts or condition, further intensifying the family’s anxiety.

This is not Al-Mohammadi’s first encounter with security forces. On August 13 of this year, he was also arrested and later released from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Prior to that, on May 23, 2023, he was detained by security agents in Izeh and subsequently transferred to the same prison. He was later sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to nine months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” After serving his sentence, Al-Mohammadi was released on January 29, 2023.

Hojjat Al-Mohammadi, 39, is a father of a young child and a resident of Izeh, a city increasingly under scrutiny for its political and social unrest.

After a Retrial: Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Thani Sentenced to Death for the Third Time

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Mashhad, Mohammad Javad Vafaie Thani, Vakilabad prison

Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Thani, a political prisoner detained in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, has been sentenced to death for the third time by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. Vafaie Thani had previously been handed two death sentences by different branches of the Revolutionary Court, both of which were overturned by the Supreme Court, leading to a retrial in a parallel branch.

Babak Paknia, Vafaie Thani’s defense attorney, revealed in a social media post that a majority of the judges, rejecting the Supreme Court’s arguments, sentenced him to death once again on charges of “spreading corruption on earth.” The ruling remains subject to appeal.

Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, a 28-year-old boxing coach, was arrested in Mashhad in March 2020 and has been imprisoned since. His initial death sentence was based on charges of “corruption on earth through deliberate acts of destruction.” However, this ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court. Following a retrial, he was again sentenced to death, but this second sentence was also overturned in June 2023, and the case was referred to another court. Although the court set a substantial bail for his temporary release, he has remained in detention due to his inability to post bail.