Category: Prisoners

Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani Sentenced to Death After Retrial

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Mashhad, Mashhad Revolutionary Court, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie

In a recent development at the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, political prisoner Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani has been handed a death sentence. This verdict comes after the Supreme Court had initially overturned the previous death sentence and ordered a retrial at another branch court.

Breaking the news, Babak Paknia, Vafaie’s lawyer, disclosed that despite the Supreme Court’s argument against the death sentence, the court has once again sentenced him to death. The lawyer has vowed to appeal for a retrial within the moratorium period.

According to Paknia, Vafaie has been accused of “spreading corruption on earth” and “arson of property, including the Government Penitentiary Building.” Following this latest ruling, Vafaie was granted a heavy bail, which unfortunately he was unable to afford, leading to his continued detention.

The case has taken a series of twists and turns, with the Supreme Court eventually overturning the previous verdict, leading to the transfer of the case to another branch court.

Vafaie, a 26-year-old boxing coach, was arrested in March of 2020 by security forces in Mashhad city.

 

Rapper Saman Seydi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days Amid Legal Uncertainty

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News, Prisoners
2022 nationwide protests, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi

Rapper Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, for over 300 days, with no clear indication of further legal proceedings.

Despite his requests, Seydi has not been permitted to have representation from a private lawyer. Judge Salavati has denied his lawyer access to the case documents, hindering his defense.

The arrest of Seydi took place on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests, following which he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on several charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion against national security,” and sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court of Iran later overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his legal case to another court branch for retrial.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Political Prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz Receives Additional Eleven-Year Sentence While in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Bandar-Anzali, Evin Prison, Mehdi Meskinnavaz, Tehran Revolutionary Court

In a new legal case opened against political prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz (Meskin-Navaz), the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed him an additional eleven-year sentence while he continues to serve his previous seven-and-a-half-year sentence in Evin Prison.

The recent verdict includes ten years for the charge of “forming a group to act against national security” and an extra year for “propaganda against the regime.” If upheld on appeal, the ten-year sentence for the first charge will be implemented. HRANA previously reported on this new legal case.

Meskinnavaz’s ordeal began on May 5, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces in Bandar Anzali for allegedly “running a Telegram channel advocating the overthrow of the regime.”
In August 2019, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Meskinnavaz to 13 years for charges including “assembly and collusion to act against national security, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he was stripped of political party and group membership rights and ordered to serve a two-year compulsory exile in Fahraj, Kerman. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he was liable to serve seven years and six months in prison for one of the charges.

Meskinnavaz, aged 43 and a father to a 17-year-old, continues to face an arduous journey within the judicial system.

Baha’i Citizen Payam Vali Face New Charge While Imprisoned

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Ghezel Hesar, Karaj, Payam Vali

Payam Vali, a Baha’i citizen currently serving his sentence in Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, is confronted with a fresh legal case.

The Karaj Revolutionary Court has accused Vali of “spreading falsehood on the Internet through the dissemination of unlawful content.” This case has been transferred from the court to a branch of the prosecutor’s office in Karaj, as it reportedly exceeds the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Court.

Vali’s arrest took place on September 24, 2022, when security forces apprehended him at his residence in Karaj and conducted a search of his house. Subsequently, he was detained in Rajai Shahr Prison before being relocated to Ghezel Hesar Prison.

On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals sentenced Vali to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the first charge carries an enforceable prison term of six years.

 

Appeal Court Upholds Five-Year Sentence for Union Activist Davoud Razavi

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News, Prisoners
Davoud Razavi, Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran bus workers’ syndicate

The Tehran Court of Appeals has recently upheld the five-year prison sentence against Davoud Razavi, a union activist and member of the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate.

Razavi’s conviction, handed down on July 2, 2023, stems from charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a two-year ban on his online social activities and participation in political groups.

Concerns about Razavi’s well-being have emerged, as a reliable source informed HRANA that he has developed an eye infection due to the use of unsanitary blindfolds during his prolonged solitary confinement, leading to poor vision.

Razavi was arrested on September 27, 2023, and initially confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, on December 18, he was transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary before being relocated back to Evin Prison on April 9, 2023.

It is important to note that this is not Razavi’s first encounter with the judicial system, as he has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

 

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Fatemeh Mosanna and Hassan Sadeghi Released After Eight Years of Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Ali Khamenei, Evin Prison, Fatemeh Mosanna, Hassan Sadeghi, Rajai Shahr Prison

On July 12, 2023, political prisoners Fatemeh Mosanna and Hassan Sadeghi were finally released from Evin and Rajai Shahr Prison, marking the end of their grueling eight-year incarceration.

A reliable source close to the families of the couple revealed to HRANA that they had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive, following the proposal made by the head of the Judiciary in February 2023. This initiative aimed to pardon or reduce the sentences of select prisoners, acting in accordance with Article 110, paragraph 11 of Iran’s constitution. The proposal received approval from Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The couple’s arrest took place on January 28, 2013, during the funeral of Sadeghi’s father. Their daughter and underage son were also apprehended and interrogated, but were subsequently released.

Following their trial at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, both Mosanna and Sadeghi were sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the additional penalty of having their personal property, business, and house seized. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Mosanna’s own history with imprisonment dates back to 1980 when she was just 13 years old. Alongside her mother, she was arrested and imprisoned for three years. Tragically, during that time, her three brothers, Ali, Mostafa, and Morteza, as well as her brother’s wife, were executed in prison on charges of “enmity against God” and “advocating for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran.”

Sadeghi also faced imprisonment in 1981, enduring a six-year sentence. He suffered severe beatings at the hands of prison agents, which have had lasting effects on his health.

Concerns Mount Over Zohreh Sayadi’s Health Condition as Medical Treatment Denied in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran, Zohreh Sayadi

Zohreh Sayadi, a political prisoner, continues to serve her one-year sentence in Evin Prison, but her deteriorating health condition remains a cause for concern. Despite suffering from colon cancer, she has been denied essential medical treatment, raising serious questions about her well-being.

Reliable sources close to Sayadi’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the prison infirmary has provided her with only a minimal injection. The lack of ongoing treatment has exacerbated her illness, and her condition continues to worsen. Frustratingly, due to hindrances imposed by prison officials, she has not yet received a certificate of penal intolerance, further delaying potentially life-saving interventions.

In December 2019, security forces arrested her in Tehran. She was released on bail after a while.

Last year, she was handed down a one-year sentence which was upheld on appeal. On May 30, 2023, she was imprisoned in Evin Prison to commence serving her sentence.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.

Imprisoned Teacher Hashem Khastar Receives Additional Sentence for Activism

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News, Prisoners
Ali Khamenei, Doostali Makki, Hashem Khastar, Mashhad, Nikshahr, Vakilabad prison

Hashem Khastar, a teacher and civil rights activist currently incarcerated in Vakilabad Prison, was sentenced to two years and six months by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

Khastar’s lawyer, Doostali Makki, received verbal notification of the court’s decision, which cited multiple charges including “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and “propaganda against the regime” as the basis for the extended imprisonment.

Reliable sources close to Khastar’s family disclosed that the new sentence stems from his dissemination of 30 open letters and six voice messages from within the prison walls, further exacerbating the charges against him.

The ordeal began on August 11, 2019, when Khastar and 13 fellow civil rights activists were apprehended by security forces following the publication of an open letter demanding the resignation of Ali Khamenei. The initial ruling from the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Khastar to 16 years in prison, three years of exile in Nikshahr (located in Sistan and Baluchestan province), and a travel ban for three years. He faced a litany of charges, including “insulting both the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran,” “disturbing public opinion,” “collaboration with foreign media,” and “participation in unauthorized gatherings.”

Although the court of appeals reduced the three-year exile and travel ban, the prison sentence remained unchanged.

Update on Arash Johari’s Health Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Arash Johari, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari

Arash Johari, a dedicated workers’ rights activist, is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. Concerningly, he has been deprived of adequate medical care, as prison officials continue to deny him access to a dentist required to complete his treatment.

Following the incident at Evin Prison on the evening of October 15, 2022, which led to escalated tensions, explosions, and fires within the facility, Johari and several other inmates were transferred to Rajai-Shahr Prison in Karaj. However, on May 1, 2023, he was returned to Evin Prison.

On October 6, 2020, Johari was arrested at his residence in Tehran by IRGC Intelligence agents and subsequently detained in Ward 2A of Evin Prison.

In January 2021, Judge Iman Afshari of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Johari to five years for “organizing illegal groups to undermine national security,” five years for “collusion and assembly,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Following a plea of no contest, the sentence was reduced to seven years and six months.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Eyvanki, Mohammad Nourizad, Semnan, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Imprisoned civil rights activist Mohammad Nourizad has been handed a two-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, following a new legal case opened against him while in prison. As per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, one year of the sentence will be enforceable.

Judge Mohammadrezza Amoozad issued the verdict, sentencing Nourizad to one year for “propaganda against the regime” and another year for “destruction of property within the prison head’s office.” The court session pertaining to these charges took place on June 14, 2023.

The court session pertaining to these charges took place on June 14, 2023.

Nourizad’s legal ordeal began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for participating in the drafting of an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In the initial case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. Although the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support for Baha’i citizens in Eyvanki, Semnan Province.

Concerning the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, along with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order.” He also received an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was upheld on appeal as well.

Nourizad was released from Evin Prison on November 17, 2021, based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Nourizad has a history of arrests and convictions linked to his peaceful activism. He is a prominent filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.