Category: Prisoners

Update on Zahra Mohammadi’s Condition 

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
cultural association Nojin, environmental activist, Kurdish language teacher, Sanandaj, Sanandaj Correctional Center, Zahra Mohammadi

Civil rights activist Zahra Mohammadi is currently serving a five-year sentence in the Sanandaj Correctional Center where she is housed in the ward of prisoners of violent crimes. Despite suffering from intestinal and gastrointestinal problems, Mohammadi is denied adequate medical care and furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, civil rights activist Zahra Mohammadi who is imprisoned in the Sanandaj Correctional Center is denied adequate medical care and furlough.

An informed source told HRANA, “Despite Mohammadi’s intestinal problems and several requests for medical furlough, influenced by Sanandaj Intelligence, prison officials refuse to send her on medical furlough.”

On May 23, 2019, security forces arrested Mohammadi and on December 2 of that year, released her on a bail of  700 million Tomans. In July 2020, Branch 1 of Sanandaj’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Mohammadi to 10 years in prison on the charge of “organizing people to disrupt national security”. In February of 2021, this verdict was reduced to 5 years on appeal. Mohammadi’s request for a retrial was rejected by the Supreme Court of Iran.

On January 8, 2022, Mohammadi was taken to the women’s ward of the Correctional Center of Sanandaj City to serve her sentence.

Mohammadi, 29 years old, is a member of the cultural association Nojin which is engaged in environmental activities, forest protection and Kurdish language teaching.

Update on Javad Laal Mohammadi’s Condition in Vakil-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Aida Laal Mohammadi, Ezzat Javadi Hesar, Javad Laal Mohammadi, Vakil-Abad Prison

Political Activist Javad La’al Mohammadi is detained in Vakil-Abad Prison for more than eight months where the due process in his case has been unclear. In April of 2022, he was transferred from a detention facility to Vakil-Abad Prison in Mashhad.

La’al Mohammadi was one of the 14 signatories of a letter which requested the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, which has had consequences for its signatories.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Civil Activist Javad La’al Mohammadi is still in detention in an uncertain condition for more than eight months in Vakil-Abad Prison in Mashhad.

La’al Mohammadi is currently held in a cell with another activist Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi. In February of the last year, his court session was held in Branch 903 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

During the legal process, he was allowed to choose a lawyer only from those the judiciary confirmed.

On October 13, 2021, security forces arrested this civil activist at his house. During the arrest, the agents searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings. They also threatened his family members. Earlier, on September 1, 2021, with his wife, Ezzat Javadi Hesar and his daughter Aida La’al Mohammadi, he had been arrested in Mashhad. During this detention, La’al Mohammadi was beaten up and tortured.

Update on Prisoner Kamal Sharifi in Minab Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners

Political prisoner Kamal Sharifi is serving the fourteenth year out of a 30 years sentence in Minab Prison. In violation of prison rules, he was housed with violent prisoners. Moreover, he suffers from heart disease and digestive disorders, for which he has been denied adequate medical treatment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kamal Sharifi is serving the fourteenth year of his sentence in a ward for prisoners of violent crimes in Minab Prison.

In March of 2021, he was dispatched to a hospital outside prison after a heart attack. After four days, however, he was sent back to prison before completing medical treatment. Also, due to damaged tendons in his foot, Sharifi can hardly walk for which he has not received medical treatment.

Earlier, HRANA reported that Sharifi is not allowed furlough, family visitation or regular phone calls.

Kamal Sharifi was arrested in 1998 in the city of Saqqez, when Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment.

On several occasions, Kamal Sharifi was arrested in 1989 and 1990 on the charges of supporting and working for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and eventually, the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez sentenced him to one additional year of imprisonment and 40 lashes.

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi Goes on Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Iranian Trade Union Activist, Reza Shahabi, Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

On Monday, June 13, 2022, Reza Shahabi, trade union activist and a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company started his hunger strike in protest against his prolonged detention. Shahabi who suffers from poor health has been detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for over 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Monday, June 13, 2022, trade union activist Reza Shahabi went on hunger strike to protest against his detention.

Last Sunday, Shahabi’s detention was extended for one month.

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, security forces arrested Reza Shahabi at his house in Tehran.

In previous years, Reza Shahabi faced other arrests and convictions for his civil activities.

Teacher Union Activists Shaaban Mohammadi and Masoud Nikkhah Transferred from Sanandaj to Evin Prison in Tehran

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Eskandar Lotfi, Masoud Nikkhah, Shaaban Mohammadi

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, two detained teacher union activists, Shaaban Mohammadi and Masoud Nikkhah were transferred from a detention center in Sanandaj to Evin Prison in Tehran. These inmates had been arrested on May 1, 2022, with another teacher Eskandar Lotfi. Shaaban Mohammadi was released on that day but arrested again later on May 11, 2022.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday evening, June 4, 2022, in a phone call, two detained teacher union activists, Shaaban Mohammadi and Masoud Nikkhah informed their families about their relocation from Sanandaj to Evin Prison in Tehran.

According to an informed source, during the call, security agents interrupted and cut the phone connection so that the Ward in which they are held is not revealed, as it may reveal the institution responsible. 

On Sunday, May 1, 2022, security forces arrested Masoud Nikkhah and Eskandar Lotfi in Sanandaj. They went on hunger strike right after the arrest. On May 11, 2022, Masoud Nikkhah was released on bond but one day after he was arrested again.

Three weeks ago, in a report, a state-controlled TV channel tried to connect the recent detention of two French citizens, Cécile Kohler and her husband, to nationwide teachers’ protests and these teachers’ activists. In response, in a statement, the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association condemned these attempts to make such connections and allegations. 

On Sunday, May 1, in response to a call by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, the retired and active teachers in 45 cities assembled in front of the building of the Ministry of Education. In Mariwan and Bushehr, these protests were attacked and several protestors were arrested. 

 

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Update on Civil Activist Barzan Mohammadi’s Condition in Mariwan Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Barzan Mohammadi, Imprisoned Iranian Civil Activist, Mariwan Prison

Civil activist Barzam Mohammadi is currently serving his sentence in Mariwan Prison. On May 16, 2022, he went on a hunger strike in protest against his relocation to the quarantine section of the prison, which he ended last week once he was relocated back to the Public Ward.

Mohammadi was sent to the quarantine section as a punishment for his refusal to attend a religious ceremony.

On June 7, 2021, security forces arrested Barzan Mohammadi and transferred him to the Sarvabad IRGC detention center. He was then sent to Mariwan Prison. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Mariwan sentenced him to 22 months imprisonment on the charge of “offensive statement against the Supreme Leader.”

Mohammadi had previously been arrested for his activities in cyberspace during the nationwide protests in July 2018 and was sentenced to 6 years in prison, which later was reduced to three years and six months on appeal. On July 5, 2020, he was freed on early release from Evin Prison.

Inmate Died in Rajai Shahr Prison Due to Inadequate Medical Care

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Iranian Prisons, Javad Amir-Khani Toosi, Karaj city, Rajai Shahr Prison

On Monday, May 30, 2022, an inmate died in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj City due to inadequate medical care and delay in dispatching to the hospital.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an inmate identified as Javad Amir-Khani Toosi, age about 70, died in Rajai Shahr Prison.

According to an informed source, despite his frequent referral to the Prison health facility in recent weeks, Amir-Khani Toosi did not receive the required medical care. Forensic medicine announced blood infection as the cause of death.

Amir-Khani Toosi was convicted of murder and was in prison for 11 years.

His death has not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far.

Teacher Union Activist Mohammad Habibi’s Detention Extended 

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Ali Akbar Baghani, Iranian Teacher Union Activist, Jafar Ebrahimi, mohammad habibi, Rasoul Bodaghi

Mohammad Habibi’s detention was extended for a month on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, despite a previous pledge that he would be released on bail. On April 30, 2022, Habibi, who is the spokesperson of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association was arrested and detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, imprisoned teacher Mohammad Habibi’s detention was extended for one month.

According to an informed source, Habibi has been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and is currently held in one of the public cells of Ward 209 with 12 other inmates.” He was allowed to have one phone call once a week and family visitations two times. 

On April 30, 2022, one day before the nationwide teacher protests, security forces arrested  Habibi and three other members of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, Ali Akbar Baghani, Rasoul Bodaghi and Jafar Ebrahimi and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin prison, which belongs to the Ministry of Intelligence and demonstrates that the Ministry is concerned about the teachers’ assembly in Iran.

Prisoners’ Living Conditions at Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, HRANA

Prisoners who are housed in Ward 1, Type 2 in the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary are held in poor conditions, including frequent and prolonged water outages, poor sanitation, overcrowding and lack of proper air conditioning.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the inmates of the Closed Ward of the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary are held in poor living conditions.

An informed source told HRANA, “the inmates jailed in this ward face frequent and prolonged water outages. Sometimes, the water flow is completely cut off for a couple of days. Inmates are living in poor conditions and prison officials do nothing to resolve these issues.”

During the summer season, water flow for sanitation needs and cooling systems is critical.  

An informed source close to an inmate’s family told HRANA, “Ward 1, Type 2 of this prison is overcrowded. In this hot season, there is no air conditioning system.”

According to this source, the lack of air conditioning and healthy drinking water increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

Earlier, prison officials beat several political prisoners and relocated them to Ward 1. One day later, Mohammad Mehdi Haj Mohammadi, Iran’s head of Prisons Organization, confirmed this battery and the relocation on his social media page.

Political Prisoner Vahid Bagheri on Nineteenth Day of Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, Vahid Bagheri

Political prisoner Vahid Bagheri who is currently jailed in the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary is on the 19th day of hunger strike. Despite his poor health condition,  the prison officials deny his basic demands.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday, May 28, 2022, Political prisoner Vahid Bagheri is on the 19th day of his hunger strike in the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary.

On May 10, 2022, Mr Bagheri went on hunger strike in protest against the prison official’s rejection of his request for an early release on probation despite the head of the Judiciary’s agreement.

Earlier, in an open letter, Vahid Bagheri had protested that he is the breadwinner of two families and was imprisoned only for attending a protest.

During the nationwide 2019–2020 Iranian protests known as the Aban Protests, the security forces arrested Bagheri and after a while transferred him from a detention facility to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary.

Subsequently, branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Bagheri to six years in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security”. Applying article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, of the two counts, five years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion” is enforceable.