Category: Prisoners

Teacher Union Activist Esmail Abdi Hospitalized on Sixth Day of Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Esmail Abdi, Evin Prison, Hunger Strike, Teacher union activist

Teacher union activist Esmail Abdi was hospitalized after the sixth day of the hunger strike. Since last Sunday, May 1, Esmail Abdi, who is currently imprisoned in Kachooie Prison, has been on hunger strike in protest against “convictions against teacher union activists and suppression of imprisoned teachers and workers’ families.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association’s Telegram channel, Esmail Abdi was hospitalized due to deteriorating health conditions after six days of hunger strike.

On June 27, 2015, when Abdi went to Evin Courthouse to enquire about the reason for being banned from leaving the country, he was arrested and interrogated for many hours. After six months in detention, in March of that year, he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security”, of which, five years was enforceable.

Earlier, Abdi was sentenced to ten years of suspended imprisonment which was supposed to last for five years. However,  while serving the last months of his five years sentence, this suspended sentence was reactivated by the court order.  

Eight Citizens Accused of Espionage in Detention in Urmia Prison 

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Amir Moshtagh, Aran Omari, Ashkan Othmannejad, Espionage, Fakhredin Doodkanloo, Hasan Omarpour, Kamran Henareh, Rahman Parhazoo, Urmia prison, Vafa Henareh

Eight citizens, who were arrested and accused of espionage, have been detained since November 2021. On March 11, 2022, all these detainees but one were relocated to Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, eight citizens identified as Kamran Henareh, Vafa Henareh, Ashkan Othmannejad, Fakhredin Doodkanloo, Aran Omari, Rahman Parhazoo, Hasan Omarpour, Amir Moshtagh have been detained on the charge of espionage. Vafa Henareh is still held at a detention center and the rest are jailed in Urmia Prison. All these individuals have been indicted for espionage.

Although the prosecution of individuals for espionage is not considered a violation of human rights, there are concerns about the validity of these allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by Iran’s regime in order to suppress its political dissidents and due to the ambiguities in legal proceedings and the lack of transparency about such legal cases.

Imprisoned Civil Activist Behnam Moosivand Still on Hunger Strike Despite Deteriorating Conditions 

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News, Prisoners
Behnam Moosivand, Evin Prison, Hunger Strike

Imprisoned civil activist Behnam Moosivand is currently in critical health condition after 16 days of hunger strike. On the eighth day of his hunger strike, he was dispatched to a hospital from the Evin Prison’s quarantine ward.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, jailed civil activist Behnam Moosivand is in critical condition as a result of a prolonged hunger strike.

An informed source close to Moosivand’s family told HRANA: “Behnam has lost a lot of weight and can hardly speak. He suffers from pain and nausea and has to be injected with morphine to relieve the pain. However, he is denied family visitation even though his family has been present at the hospital.”

On April 19, 2022, Moosivand went on a hunger strike in protest against aggressive behavior and assault by prison officers following his objection to being handcuffed during the dispatching to the hospital.

On February 1, 2018, the intelligence officials raided Moosivand’s home and transferred him to the detention facility of the Ministry of Intelligence in Evin Prison, known as Ward 209. He was released on bail on March 19, 2018.

Subsequently, in September 2019, branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Moosivand to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, and one year on a charge of “propaganda against the regime”. The verdict was upheld on appeal. On June 14, 2020, Moosivand went to Evin for sentencing. In September of 2020, he was sent into exile, to Rajai-Shahr prison in Karaj City.

Upcoming Execution of Dual National Ahmad Reza Jalali Set for May 21

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Executions, News, Prisoners

Quoting an informed source, ISNA reports that imprisoned Iranian-Swedish national Ahamd Reza Jalali is to be executed by May 21, 2022.

Jalali’s death sentence was previously upheld by the Supreme Court of Iran on the charge of espionage which he has vehemently denied and was seen as a political manoeuvring against those who invited him and to force concessions from the Swedish government 

The announcement today has also raised concern that the Iranian regime intends to use Professor Jalali to force the Swedish government to free Hamid Nouri, an Iranian official who is on trial and accused of participating in the 1988 execution of political prisoners. This trial is coming to an end as the Swedish government has asked for a life sentence for Nouri based on evidence from a lengthy trial. 

Professor Jalali, who travelled to Iran in May 2016 at the invitation of the University of Tehran, was arrested by security forces on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through espionage for Israel”. Moharebeh, loosely translated as “waging war against God”, is a pillar of Sharia Law which is typically applied to those suspected of connection to acts against the state.

Mr. Jalali was sentenced to death for espionage, and the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2017.

Ahmad Reza Jalali worked at the Center for Natural Disasters after graduating from medical school in Iran. He immigrated to Sweden in 2009 to continue his studies and earned a doctorate. He completed his postdoctoral in Disaster Medicine at the University of Piedmont in Italy, and later, settled in Sweden with his wife and two children.

According to a report published by HRANA in November 2020, Ahmad Reza Jalali was transferred to solitary confinement for a week to be prepared for execution. In December of that year, his attorney Mrs. Mousavian was informed that her client’s death sentence was put on hold and he was transferred to ward 209 of Evin prison.

“Fortunately, Mr. Jalali was transferred to a public ward in April, but so far, despite all the efforts, his death sentence has not changed,” Mousavian said. “I am very worried about my client, especially now that the presidential election is over. Despite my repeated expressions of concern, no effective action has been taken by the country of dual citizenship and the European Union.”

Civil Activist Monireh Arabshahi Hospitalized for Poor Health Conditions

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
iranian civil activist, Kachooye Prison, Monireh Arabshahi, Yasaman Aryani

On Sunday, May 1, 2022, imprisoned civil activist Monireh Arabshahi was hospitalized due to poor health conditions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, civil activist Monireh Arabshahi, who is currently jailed in Kachooie Prison in Karaj City, was dispatched to a hospital outside the prison.

She was sent to a prison health facility first and after a few hours, dispatched to a hospital outside the prison.

An informed source told HRANA: ” after surgery and Thyroid drainage, Arabshahi has to be under medical care by a physician to check her hormone levels, which is not possible in prison. Nonetheless, the prosecutor does not grant any medical furlough.”

Earlier, on August 4, 2021, Arabshahi was sent on medical furlough and on October 4, 2021, forced to return to prison despite unfinished medical treatment.

Also, on July 31, 2021, Arabshahi was dispatched to a hospital and was sent back to prison a day after without adequate medical treatment.   

Despite poor health conditions, which make her unable to endure imprisonment, Arabshahi is still jailed in Kachooie Prison in Karaj City.

Yasaman Aryani, Arabshahi’s daughter and an outspoken opponent of the compulsory hijab in Iran, who had been released after serving out her sentence on February 14, 2019, was also arrested again on April 10, 2019, on new charges.

One day after the arrest of her daughter, Arabshahi was also arrested and both were relocated to Gharchak Prison. Subsequently, both were sent to Evin Prison and finally to Kachooye Prison in Karaj.

Subsequently, Branch 28 of the revolutionary court convicted the mother and daughter to a total of 16 years in prison, which were later reduced to a total of 9 years and 7 months. They were charged with “assembly and collusion against national security”, “propaganda against the regime”,  and “provoking and provisioning of impurity and indecency”.

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Behnam Moosivand Hospitalized As a Result of Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Behnam Moosivand, Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison

On Sunday, April 24, 2022, civil activist Behnam Moosivand was sent to the quarantine section of Evin Prison from Rajai-Shahr Prison. He has been on hunger strike since April 19 and is currently hospitalized for low blood pressure and other side effects.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Civil activist Behnam Moosivand who is still on a hunger strike after seven days, was transferred to the quarantine section of Evin Prison from Rajai-Shahr Prison. On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, he was sent to a hospital for low blood pressure and other side effects.

According to an informed source, last Sunday, while Moosivand was suffering from life-threatening side effects of his hunger strike, without any prior notice, prison officials transferred him to Evin Prison.

On April 19, 2022, Mr Moosivand went on a hunger strike in protest against being beaten by prison officers following his objection to being handcuffed during the dispatching to the hospital.

On February 1, 2018, the intelligence officials raided Behnam Moosivand’s home and transferred him to the detention facility of the Ministry of Intelligence in Evin Prison, known as Ward209. He was released on bail on March 19, 2018.

Subsequently, in September 2019, branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Moosivand to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, and one year on a charge of “propaganda against the regime”. The verdict was upheld on appeal. On June 14, 2020, Moosivand went to Evin for sentencing. In September of 2020, he was sent into exile, to Rajai-Shahr prison in Karaj City.

Inmate Died in Prison Due to Medical Negligence

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News, Prisoners
Kamyran, medical negligence, Savad Eliasi

On Friday, April 22, 2022, an inmate in Kamyaran Prison died due to medical negligence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in Kamyran Prison, an inmate, identified by HRANA as Savad Eliasi, died because of the denial of medical care. He had been convicted of drug-related crimes.

An informed source told HRANA: “At 5 A.M. Savad Eliasi was transferred to prison health facility due to his critical health condition. Despite having a history of heart attacks, he was only injected a pain reliever. Consequently, Eliasi died after three hours.”

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) has registered twenty deaths by diseases, five cases of suicide in Iran prisons and five cases of arrestees who were killed by prison authorities between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021.

Vahid Bagheri Returned to Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary after Furlough

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Vahid Bagheri

Last Saturday, April 16, 2022, Vahid Bagheri, political prisoner and one of the individuals arrested in the 2019 Iranian protests returned to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary after furlough. He had been released on furlough after 19 months of imprisonment. In recent days, his request for early release on probation was rejected.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political Prisoner Vahid Bagheri returned to The Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary after furlough.

Earlier, in an open letter, he wrote “I am the breadwinner of two families. Why should I be in prison  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.

Bagheri was not granted furlough to attend his brother’s funeral while in prison.

Vahid Bagheri is 33 years old, married and a father of two children.

In November of 2019, an unprecedented increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across Iran. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed during these protests by the regime forces.

Inmate Majid Keshvari Committed Suicide for Lack of Medical Care in the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary

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News, Prisoners
Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, Majid Keshvari, suicide

On Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, an inmate committed suicide after he was denied adequate medical treatment. Following the attempt, he was hospitalized in a hospital outside the prison. This inmate, who suffers from mental health problems, had attempted suicide several times before.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, feeling desperate for not receiving medical treatment, the inmate identified as Majid Keshvari committed failed suicide attempt in the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary.

An informed source told HRANA, “It has been a long time since Mr. Keshvari is in need of surgery and the prison health providers had recommended his dispatch urgently to a hospital outside the prison. Instead, the prison officials sent him to a psychiatric ward and then sent him back to prison, ignoring care for his health issues. 

Keshvari then attempted to hang himself in protest against this unfair treatment and was hospitalized. There is still no news about his latest condition.”

Reportedly, Keshvari had attempted to commit suicide on another occasion as well.

 

Political Prisoner Khadijeh Mahdipour Denied Urgent Medical Treatment in Ilam Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ilam prison, IRGC intelligence agents, Khadijeh Mahdipour

Political prisoner Khadijeh Mahdipour was denied access to medical treatment despite having severe digestive issues.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political Prisoner Khadijeh Mahdipour is in poor health in Ilam Prison due to the denial of medical care.

According to an informed source, Mrs  Mahdipour suffers from severe digestive issues that result in episodes of nausea. She has lost weight in the last two months, but the authorities deny sending her to Tehran to receive more adequate treatment.

After long procrastination, on January 4, 2022, prison officials sent Mahdipour to a hospital outside prison for treatment of a black fleck in her eyes. She is currently serving her 20-month sentence in Ilam Prison.

On October 10, 2021, IRGC intelligence agents arrested Mahdipour at her uncle’s house and transferred her to Ilam Prison after two days of interrogation.

She was sentenced to 20 months in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. She was acquitted of the charge of “advocating for anti-regime groups”.

She had earlier faced other arrests and convictions. On October 3, 2020, the security forces arrested her in Ilam City and she was fined 3 million tomans to avoid imprisonment.