Category: Prisoners

Political Prisoner Mehdi Salehi’s Body Buried under Strict Security Measures

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Haroon Al-Rashidi, Khomeini Shahr, Mehdi Salehi, Yazdanshahr Cemetery

This morning, April 15, 2022, the body of political prisoner Mehdi Salehi was buried in Yazdanshahr Cemetery under tough security measures. Salehi’s death did not trigger an investigation and there was no official announcement about the cause of his death. 

During the 2018 protests in Khomeini Shahr City, Salehi was arrested and subsequently sentenced to death for crimes he never confessed to. Recently, he died suspiciously in prison health facility in Dastgerd prison in Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Friday morning, Mehdi Salehi’s Body was buried in a cemetery in Yazdangerd under strict security measures.

One of his family members told HRANA that “his family’s frequent inquiries remained unanswered by the authorities. Ultimately, the security forces moved his body to Yazdanshahr cemetery and buried him. They informed the family about the funeral just one hour before the burial. The authorities threatened the family to keep Salehi’s ordeal a secret and  to guarantee the family’s silence in the matter, held his brother, Mehdi Salehi in custody during the funeral.”

During nationwide protests that broke out in December 2017 and continued into 2018, many people were killed by the regime forces, including Asghar Haroon Al-Rashidi who was shot dead in Khomeini Shahr in January  2018. His family filed a complaint against the IRGC forces, Basij and the police. Thereafter, on November 3, 2019, some of Haroon Al-Rashidi’s friends including Mehdi Salehi were arrested by security forces for taking part in the protests.

On February 8, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Salehi to death (two times) on the charges of “enmity against God by using a firearm and shooting in public” and “using weapons of war (Kalashnikov rifle) against the regime forces during the unrest”. Salehi was also sentenced to 5 years in prison on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth by disturbing the public order and leading the insurrectionists.”

Mehdi Salehi never accepted these allegations. In a statement, he claimed that he had witnessed when Haroon Al-Rashidi was shut in the back by the regime forces.

Salehi was also injured by a pallet gun bullet in his head when he was trying to help Haroon Al-Rashidi.

Mehdi Salehi was 38 years old, married and father of a nine-years girl.

 

Political Prisoner Mehdi Salehi Died In Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Haroon Al-Rashidi, Mehdi Salehi

Political prisoner Mehdi Salehi Gale’eh-Shahrokhi has died in prison. He was one of those arrested during the 2018 protests in Khomeini Shahr City and was sentenced to death.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Mehdi Salehi Gale’eh-Shahrokhi who was on death row has died in prison.

Confirming Mr Salehi’s death, an informed source close to his family stated: “When I  contacted the prison officials, they only confirmed that he passed away without mentioning the cause of death.”

“Some of his fellow inmates ascribed his death to a medical error of prison healthcare. However, so far no official clarification has been given to his family.”, he added.

During nationwide protests that broke out in December 2017 and continued into 2018, many people were killed by the regime forces, including Asghar Haroon Al-Rashidi who was shot dead in Khomeini Shahr in January  2018. His family filed a complaint against the IRGCforces, Basij and the police. Thereafter, on November 3, 2019, some of Haroon Al-Rashidi’s friends including Mehdi Salehi were arrested by security forces for taking part in the protests.

On February 8, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Salehi to death (two times) on the charges of “enmity against God by using a firearm and shooting in public” and “using weapons of war (Kalashnikov rifle) against the regime forces during the unrest”. He also was sentenced to 5 years in prison on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth to disturb the public order and leading the insurrectionists.”

Mehdi Salehi never accepted these allegations. In a statement, he claimed that he had witnessed when Haroon Al-Rashidi was shut in his back by the regime forces.

Salehi was also injured by a pallet gun bullet in his head when he was trying to help Haroon Al-Rashidi.

Mehdi Salehi was 38 years old, married and father of a nine-years girl.

 

Political Prisoner Zahra Safai Denied Urgent Medical Treatment by Prison Officials

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Parastoo Moeini, Zahra Safai

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, despite prior agreement and a set appointment, prison officials denied dispatching the political prisoner Zahra Safai to a hospital. The denial was under the pretext of her disagreement with transfer with handcuff and foot cuffs. According to the State Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization’s rules, transferring the prisoners with foot cuffs except for prisoners of violent crimes is forbidden.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, through the obstruction of prison officials, political prisoner Zahra Safai was denied medical treatment.

Mrs Safai suffers from heart disease and has had angiography surgery in the past. Since September of last year, she has been dispatched several times to a hospital outside the prison. This time, the prison officials denied her access to urgent medical care.

On February 24, 2020, security forces arrested Zahra Safai and her daughter Parastoo Moeini in Tehran and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In April 2020, they were sent in exile to Qarchak Prison in Varamin City. On June 28, 2020, Mrs Safai was released on bail with the amount of 300 million tomans. However, on July 26 of that year, they increased the bail ten times and subsequently arrested and sent her back to Qarchak Prison when she could not provide the set bail.

In February of 2021, Branch 23 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Mrs Safai to 5 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and two years on the charge of “offensive statements against the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran”. As an additional punishment, she was banned from leaving the country and membership in any political parties or civil groups.

Zahra Safai has also faced arrest and conviction in 2006. Further, during the 1980’s she had been imprisoned for a while. Her father, Haji Safai was a well-known businessman who was executed on the charge of “advocacy for the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (the Mujahedin-e-Khalq or MEK)”.

Narges Mohammadi and Aliyeh Motallebzadeh Arrested and Sent Back to Qarchak Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Aliyeh Motallebzadeh, Narges Mohammadi, Qarchak Prison

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, human Rights activist Narges Mohammadi and women’s rights activist Aliyeh Motallebzadeh were arrested and sent back to prison while there were on furlough. In late February, these citizens were released on medical furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, April 12, Narges Mohammadi and Aliyeh Motallebzadeh were arrested and sent back to Qarchak prison in Varamin City.

On her personal page on social media, Mrs Mohammadi informed  that she had to return to prison while she was still in recovery afopen-heart surgery recovery,

Also, Aliyeh Motallebzadeh, who was on furlough for medical treatment since February 23, 2022, returned to Qarchak prison.

Narges Mohammadi is a human rights activist and the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center. Aliyeh Motallebzadeh is a photographer, women rights activist and a member of the One Million Signatures Campaign for Gender Equality as well as a campaign to protect acid attack victims. Narges Mohammadi and Aliyeh Motallebzadeh are currently serving respectively their eight and three years sentences in Qarchak prison located in Varamin City.

Political Prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna Returned to Evin Prison after Medical Furlough

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Fatemeh Mosanna, Hassan Sadeghi

Last Monday, April 4, political prisoner Fatemeh Mosanna returned to Evin Prison upon the end of her furlough. She had been on furlough for treatment as her health condition became worse following intestinal bleeding in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Fatemeh Mosanna returned to Evin prison after a medical furlough. Prior to furlough, she was denied adequate medical treatment in prison.

On August 19, 2020, Fatemeh Mosanna was dispatched to a hospital outside the prison when she fainted due to intestinal bleeding. By the order of Amin Vaziri, the Special Assistant to Political Prisoners, she was handcuffed to her bed and was forcefully sent back to the quarantine section of prison without finishing the treatment. At the time, she was not granted medical furlough under the pretext of unavailability of test results, as proof of her requirement for treatment. On September 8 of 2021, she was hospitalized again as her health condition further declined. One day after doing tests, the officials sent her back again to prison.

On January 28, 2013, along with her husband, Hassan Sadeghi, Mosanna was arrested by security forces while they were at the funeral of Sadeghi’s father. Their daughter and son, who is a minor, were also arrested and interrogated. The children were released after three days and 45 days respectively.

Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced both individuals to 15 years in prison and the seizure of personal property, business and house. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

On September 30, 2015, Mosanna was arrested and sent to Evin Prison to endure her sentence. On February 7, 2016, Sadeghi was arrested and sent to Rajai Shahr Prison after he went to Evin Prison to visit his wife.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Reza Khandan Mahabadi Returned to Evin Prison after Furlough

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Iranian Writers Association, Reza Khandan Mahabadi

On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Reza Khandan Mahabadi, prisoner of conscience, writer and member of the Iranian Writers Association (IWA) returned to prison after a furlough. On December 21, 2021, following the worsening of his Covid-19 symptoms, Khandan was hospitalized and after four days, he was granted a medical furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Reza Khandan Mahabadi went back to Evin prison at the end of his furlough.

On December 21, Reza Khandan Mahabadi was dispatched from Evin Prison to a hospital outside the prison after his COVID-19 symptoms became worse. On December 25, 2021, through the formal request of his lawyer and family, he was granted a medical furlough.

Earlier, he and another IWA’s member, Baktash Abtin, tested positive for Covid-19. On January 8, Baktash Abtin died at the hospital due to his worsening conditions and the prison’s medical negligence.

Mahabadi was sentenced on May 15, 2019, by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghayeseh. His sentence included one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and five years on the charge of “assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against national security”. On September 26, 2020, he was arrested and sent to Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

Mahabadi’s career as a writer kicked off in 1978 with the publication of his book “Local Children”. Some of his publications include “Nothing Comes Out of the Sack, ExceptWhat Was In It”, a seven-volume story collection called “My Favorite Stories”, a collection of research titled “Razi War”, and the 19-volume fiction collection “Encyclopedia of Iranian Legends and Fairy Tales” (co-author Ali Ashraf Darvishian).

Political Prisoner at Urmia Prison Mehdi Sane-Farshi Goes on Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Mehdi Sane Farshi, Urmia prison

On Monday, April 4, 2022, political prisoner Mehdi Sane-Farshi went on hunger strike in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mehdi Sane-Farshi, imprisoned in Urmia prison, went on hunger strike in protest against increasing pressure on political prisoners and confiscating his personal belongings in prison.

On August 17, 2020, Mehdi Saneh-Farshi who had been back from Turkey to visit his mother was arrested by Intelligence agents and transferred to a detention centre under the Ministry of Intelligence’s control. On September 11, 2020, he was transferred to Urmia Prison after the interrogation ended.

On November 12, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced Sane-Farshito to 5 years and 6 months in prison on the charges of “collaboration with one of anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.” This verdict was upheld by Branch 1 of the Court of Appeals of West Azerbaijan Province.

Mehdi Saneh-Farshi, age 44, is currently held in Urmia prison in the political prisoners’ ward.

Political Prisoners of Urmia Prison Shaker Behrouz and Nayeb Askari Go on Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Nayeb Askari, Shaker Behrouz

On Thursday, March 31, two political prisoners Shaker Behrouz and Nayeb Askari went on hunger strike in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, On Thursday, March 31, political prisoner Shaker Behrouz went on hunger strike to protest his relocation to Ward 2 of Urmia Prison where the violent crime offenders were held. Another political prisoner of Urmia prison Nayeb Askari also went on hunger strike after he was sent to the quarantine section.

Earlier, on August 26, 2021, despite the prison doctor’s recommendation for hospitalization, prison officials refused to send Nayeb Askari to a hospital outside the prison. In protest, he went on hunger strike, which ended after a few days.

Askari was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Urmia in April and transferred to IRGC detention centres. He was eventually transferred from the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center to the city prison in June, after completing the interrogation process. Askari has been charged with “collaborating with an opposition party”.

On July 12, 2021, a new case was opened against him following the complaint of the head of Urmia Prison. For this case, he was sentenced to three months more imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “Disrupting prison order”.

On Tuesday, October 5, 2021, political prisoner Shaker Behrouz was sentenced to death despite a strong alibi pointing to his innocence.

The indictment alleges that Behrouz murdered a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to an informed source, security agents threatened the victim’s family, who was an IRGC member, to cut their allowance from the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, if they refused to accuse Behrouz.

Another informed source close to the victim’s family also said that the family does not believe he is guilty and ready to testify to his innocence.

Twelve eye-witnesses signed a statement expressing their readiness to testify that Mr. Behrouz was in his shop when the crime was committed. Despite all the above, the court convicted the defendant without the presence of the family as accusers and hearing of eye-witnesses.

 

Political Prisoner Kasra Bani-Amerian Denied Adequate Medical Care in Evin Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Kasra Bani-Amerian

Political Prisoner Kasra Bani–Amerian is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He suffers from an immune-system disease for which he needs medicine uninterruptedly to maintain a normal level of immunity. Despite the vital need, Evin Prison officials do not provide access to the medicine that he needs.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Kasra Bani–Amerian was denied adequate medical care and medicine in Evin Prison.

According to an informed source, earlier, he contracted leukemia (blood cancer) for which he had been under chemotherapy. Currently, he still suffers from the symptoms of cancer. He also needs orthopaedics and physiotherapy for the damage to his ankles. Nonetheless, the prison officials denied him the special medical shoes sent by his family.

In January of 2018, the intelligence agents arrested Mr. Bani-Amerian along with Saeed Samimi and Saeed Asghari and detained them in Ward 209 of Evin prison. After a while, Bani-Amerian was released on bail amount of 500 million tomans until the end of the legal proceedings.

In 2019, Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to 5 years on the charge of “collaboration with anti-regime groups” and 5 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.” This verdict was upheld on appeal by Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code as well as the “Punishment Reduction Law”, two to six years imprisonment is enforceable for him.

On November 11, 2020, Bani–Amerian was arrested in Saqqez County and sent to Evin prison in Tehran for his sentencing.

Kasra Bani–Amerian, age 25, is an economics graduate student and a resident of Saqqez city in Kermanshah Province.

 

 

Political Prisoner Soheila Hejab Goes on Hunger Strike

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Correctional Center of Kermanshah, Gharchak prison, Hunger Strike, Soheila Hejab

In an open letter, political prisoner Soheila Hejab announced that she has gone on hunger strike following being beaten by prison guards and having the right to family visitation taken away. She is currently serving her sentence in the Correctional Center of Kermanshah.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Soheila Hejab went on hunger strike in the Correctional Center of Kermanshah.

In an open letter, Hejab mentioned the reasons for going on hunger strike. She said the fact that the prison officials did not allow her to go on furlough and receive medical care made her go on strike, “I have no choice but to go on hunger strike once again,” she wrote.

According to an informed source close to Ms. Hejab, on Monday, March 28, prison guards beat her and stopped her from visiting her family while they were waiting for her in the visiting room.

Hejab was arrested by security forces on June 1, 2019, and subsequently released from Evin Prison in Tehran on a bail of 3 billion tomans on March 14, 2020.

Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced her to 18 years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime”, “illegal assembly”, “incitement of public opinions to riot” and “organizing unlawful political groups”.

On May 23, 2020, the intelligence unit of the Revolutionary Guards arrested and transferred Ms. Hejab to Gharchak Prison in Varamin City to serve her sentence. She was then transferred to Sanandaj Prison and then, on January 7, to the Correctional Center of Kermanshah City.