Category: Prisoners

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi Initiates Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize

On November 6, Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a prominent political prisoner detained at Evin Prison, commenced a hunger strike in protest of the prison’s failure to offer her the necessary medical care.

Just last week, Mohammadi was denied access to medical treatment at an outside hospital due to her refusal to adhere to compulsory hijab requirements during the transfer to the medical facility.

It is noteworthy that Mohammadi has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to her activism. In October 2020, she was released from Zanjan Prison after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, her ordeal persisted as she faced another legal case, culminating in a sentence of 30 months of imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was arrested once again during a commemorative event honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who had lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down a staggering eight-year prison sentence, accompanied by seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and various social restrictions.

Adding to her ordeal, Mohammadi received an additional one-year prison sentence in early August, stemming from a new case initiated during her incarceration.

 

Brutal Attack on Abbas Korkori in Prison Leads to Hospitalization

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Korkori, ahvaz, Izeh, Kiran Pirfalak, moharebeh, Mojahed Korkori, Zeinab Molaei-Rad

Abbas (Mojahed) Korkori, currently imprisoned at Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz, has been subjected to a violent assault by prison guards, resulting in his hospitalization. He is currently facing a death sentence.

A source closely connected to Korkori’s family has disclosed to HRANA that Korkori was brutally beaten by prison guards. He has been hospitalized since October 31, and visible bruises and wounds mar his face and body.

The same source has revealed that Korkori is being denied access to make a phone call.

Korkori, a resident of Izeh, has been sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges of  “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and “spreading corruption on earth.” Korkori was also convicted of the destruction of private and public properties, forming and participating in anti-regime groups, and armed rebellion against the regime.

The Revolutionary Court claims that Korkori was found guilty based on evidence obtained by CCTV cameras and Criminal Justice expert reports, which testify that the bullets that led to the death of 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak during protests in Izeh, were shot from the gun discovered with the defendant. Additionally, weapons, bullets, and Molotov cocktails were discovered at the defendant’s hideout, and the Governor of Izeh reported damages caused by the defendant and his associates to public and government properties.

“This verdict is not final and can be appealed to the Supreme Court,” the report asserts.

However, Pirfalak’s parents have repeatedly denied these accusations and claimed that their son was killed in a shooting by regime forces. Zeinab Molaei-Rad, Kian’s mother, said during his funeral, “On the way back home, the regime agents opened fire on our car.”

“As Kian’s mother, I will refute any claims that any regular citizen can be the murderer of my son,” his mother said in reaction to the accusations against Abbas Korkori and several others.

During the protest in Izeh, on November 16, 2022, at least seven individuals, including Kiran Pirfalak, were killed in the shooting by regime forces.

 

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Faces New Charges While Incarcerated

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Majid Rezaie, Tehran

Civil rights activist Majid Rezaie, who is currently serving time in Evin prison, is now confronted with fresh legal charges filed by the Tehran Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization.

Rezaie has been accused of “disrupting prison order” and “making threats and insults towards prison officials.”

On October 18, 2023, Rezaie spent approximately six days in a psychiatric center, following an order from the Evin prison’s head.

On July 15, Rezaie was arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. He was later sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, a sentence that was subsequently reduced to nine months after he entered a no-contest plea. In addition to his prison term, he was also ordered to perform four hours of daily community service for three months and attend an eight-hour mandatory emotional management and control class.

Amir-Hossein Moradi Initiates Hunger Strike at Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Amir Hossein Moradi, Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Amir-Hossein Moradi, a political prisoner, is currently serving a one-year sentence in Evin Prison and has recently embarked on a hunger strike in protest of his incarceration.

A source close to Moradi’s family has informed HRANA that he is being held in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. Since last Monday, October 2, he has been on a hunger strike, demanding his release.

In March 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Moradi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” a charge based on a post published on his Instagram page.

Moradi was arrested at his father’s residence on May 8, 2023. He was subsequently released from Evin Prison on bond on June 3, 2023.
It is worth noting that Moradi has faced arrests and periods of incarceration due to his activism.

Political Prisoner Nayeb Askari Initiates Hunger Strike in Protest of Death Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
HRANA, moharebeh, Naeb Askari, Nayeb Askari, Urmia prison

Nayeb (Naeb) Askari, a political prisoner currently held in Urmia Prison, commenced a hunger strike on September 28 to protest against his death sentence.

A source close to Askari’s family relayed the news of his hunger strike to HRANA on Thursday. Another source disclosed that Askari initiated his hunger strike upon being transferred to the quarantine section.

IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Askari on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, subsequently relocating him to a detention facility. On June 17, 2021, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, where he has remained in detention.

In April 2023, Nayeb Askari was sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

Sources closely connected to his family have reported Askari’s deteriorating health during his detention. In February/January 2022, he experienced a convulsion but was denied adequate medical attention. The prison infirmary was allegedly ill-equipped, resorting to the arbitrary prescription of non-specific medication in such cases.

Furthermore, on July 12, 2021, he faced a new case stemming from a complaint by the head of Urmia Prison. As a result, he received an additional three months of imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order.”

Nayeb Askari is a father of two children, underscoring the urgency of addressing his situation.

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Majid Khademi Sentenced to Prison and Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Behbahan, IRGC Intelligence, Mahshahr, Majid Khademi

Political prisoner Majid Khademi has received a sentence of four years and four months in addition to 45 lashes from the Criminal Court of Behbahan. Khademi is currently serving a prior sentence in Behbahan Prison.

As per the verdict, Khademi has been given a three-year and six-month sentence for “arson,” along with ten months for “disturbing public order,” bringing the total to four years and four months, coupled with 45 lashes. Of this sentence, two years have been suspended for five years.

For another part of his legal case, Khademi was initially sentenced to ten years and one month by Mahshahr Revolutionary Court. However, following a plea of no contest, for one charge, the sentence was reduced to five years and five months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” down from six years and three months. His convictions of two years and six months for “propaganda against the regime” and one year and four months for “membership in anti-regime groups” remain unchanged. For these sentences, five years and five months have been enforced.

Khademi commenced serving his sentence in Behbahan Prison on August 22.

He was arrested by IRGC Intelligence on January 18, 2020, and subsequently held in a detention facility in Behbahan City for one month of interrogation before being transferred to Behbahan Prison. On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Jewish Iranian-American Prisoner Dies in Evin Prison Due to Lack of Timely Medical Care

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, Faramarz Javidzad, HRANA, Los Angeles

Faramarz Javidzad, a Jewish Iranian-American who was incarcerated in Evin Prison, has tragically passed away due to insufficient medical attention and a delay in his transfer to a hospital.

According to a report obtained by HRANA, Javidzad suffered from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stomach bleeding. Given his medical history and deteriorating health, it is reasonable to conclude that the delay in getting Javidzad to a hospital contributed to his untimely death.

On Sunday, September 22, he was briefly taken to the prison infirmary but was subsequently returned to the public ward without receiving the proper medical treatment he urgently needed.

A source who spoke to HRANA revealed that, despite a judge’s approval for Javidzad’s transfer to an external hospital, prison officials obstructed his medical care and delayed his transfer.

Javidzad, a 63-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was involved in real estate in Iran. His arrest occurred in February/March 2022, following a complaint filed by the institution “Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order.” After enduring three months of solitary confinement and interrogation in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was relocated to the public ward. Some of his fellow inmates had reported to HRANA about his worsening health condition during his detention.

As of now, neither prison officials nor any relevant institutions have issued a statement or announcement regarding Javidzad’s passing.

Thirteen Political Prisoners from Qezel Hesar Prison Moved to Undisclosed Location

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News, Prisoners
Afshin Baymani, Ahmadreza Haeri, Hamza Savari Laftah, Jafar Ebrahimi, Kamyar Fakour, Lughman Aminpour, Masoud-Reza Ebrahimi Nejad, Motaleb Ahmadian, Political Prisoners, Qezel Hesar, Reza Salmanzadeh, Saeed Masouri, Saman Seydi, Sepehr Imam Jomeh, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

Thirteen political prisoners held at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj were relocated to an undisclosed facility yesterday, September 20.

According to a source with ties to one of the prisoners’ families, relatives are in the dark about their current whereabouts.

On September 3, these prisoners were transferred from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar. The next day, they embarked on a hunger strike to protest their move to this prison and heavily fortified and ill-equipped Unit 3.

During the transfer, some of these detainees were compelled to leave behind essential items, including medications. Their families and advocates express growing concerns about their welfare.

The prisoners include:

Saeed Masouri: Arrested on January 8, 2001, on charges related to alleged membership in The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) in Dezful County. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.

Afshin Baymani: Arrested on September 5, 2000. He was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through collaboration with the MEK.” Later, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Hamza Savari Laftah: Arrested on September 2, 2005, at the age of 16. The Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz sentenced him to death on charges of “spreading corruption on Earth, enmity against God, and acting against national security.” Ultimately, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Motaleb Ahmadian: Arrested on October 5, 2010, and subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “enmity against God through membership in a political opposition party.”

Saman Seydi (Yasin): Arrested on October 2, 2022, during nationwide protests in Tehran. Initially sentenced to death for “enmity against God, and assembly and collusion against national security” by the Public and Revolutionary Court in Tehran. However, his sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred back to the lower court for further review.

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb: Arrested in March 2023 and incarcerated in Evin Prison. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years and eight months in prison, with five years enforceable, along with additional penalties.

Ahmadreza Haeri: Arrested by security forces on June 27, 2022, and subsequently released. He was later sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Recently, due to a new case filed against him during his imprisonment, he received an additional three months and one day in prison by the Criminal Court in Tehran.

Kamyar Fakour: Arrested on November 6, 2022, during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight months in prison, in addition to reactivating his prior eight-month suspended jail term.

Reza Salmanzadeh: Arrested by security forces at his residence on May 12, 2022. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Jafar Ebrahimi: A dedicated teacher union activist, arrested on April 30, 2022, and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In late October 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a four-year sentence on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one-year term for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, Ebrahimi received a two-year ban on leaving the country and from participating in political and civil organizations. His sentence, which included four years of enforceable imprisonment, was upheld upon appeal.

Lughman Aminpour, Sepehr Imam Jomeh, and Masoud-Reza Ebrahimi Nejad were previously sentenced to imprisonment for political charges.

Prominent Activist Narges Mohammadi Assaulted in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, Tehran, zanjan

Narges Mohammadi, a prominent political prisoner currently housed at Evin Prison, has suffered physical abuse at the hands of a prison official in the infirmary due to her non-compliance with hijab regulations.

Mohammadi and another inmate were in the prison infirmary where she was subjected to verbal harassment and physical violence by a prison officer. Following the altercation, Mohammadi was transported from the infirmary via ambulance. Her current condition and well-being remain uncertain.

It is noteworthy that Mohammadi has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to her activism. In October 2020, she was released from Zanjan Prison after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, her ordeal persisted as she faced another legal case, culminating in a sentence of 30 months of imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was arrested once again during a commemorative event honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who had lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down a staggering eight-year prison sentence, accompanied by seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and various social restrictions.

Adding to her ordeal, Mohammadi received an additional one-year prison sentence in early August, stemming from a new case initiated during her incarceration.

Lawyer Mohammad Najafi Sentenced to Four Months for Disseminating False Information

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News, Prisoners
Arak prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Najafi, Reza Moazen

Mohammad Najafi, a lawyer currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, has received a four-month prison sentence from the Criminal Court of Arak.

This verdict, issued in absentia, finds Najafi guilty of “spreading falsehood.” The legal case was initiated following a complaint lodged by the head of Arak prison, Reza Moazen. According to a source who informed HRANA, the charge was based on Najafi’s exposure of issues within the prison system, particularly the prison head’s failure to address these concerns and mistreatment against political prisoners.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court has also ruled to disbar Najafi, prohibiting him from practicing law.

Najafi has been embroiled in multiple legal cases in the past. In his most recent case, he was sentenced to two years in prison and a 15-million-toman fine by Branch 106 of the Arak Criminal Court for “spreading falsehood,” and to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.”

In another legal matter, Najafi received a three-year prison sentence for insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran and an additional four months for spreading falsehood. In December 2018, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “collaborating with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC” in relation to the first part of this case. He was later pardoned and released under a “pardon and commute” directive but was re-arrested four days later for the second part of the case.

Furthermore, Najafi received a two-year prison sentence and a fine for spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion after writing an open letter addressed to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. This sentence was upheld on appeal, and he had previously been sentenced to one year in prison for similar charges in December 2018.

In February 2020, Najafi was handed a six-month prison sentence for attending and delivering a speech at a ceremony commemorating Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who had been tortured and killed while in custody.

Ultimately, Najafi received a 10-year prison sentence for the most severe charge of “collaboration with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC.” This sentence was later reduced to four years and six months.