Student Activist Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh Still in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Student activist Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh who was arrested on Wednesday, June 25, 2011, is still in prison while no charges have been filed against him.At the time of his abduction by Iranian Intelligence Agency, Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh was in his final semester studying sociology at Esfahan University.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), although twenty three days have passed since Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh was detained, his family has not been given any information about him.Despite his family’s repeated inquires and follow-ups, Iranian government officials refuse to provide any answers to Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh’s family and have denied his parents the right to see their child.

Eyewitnesses have reported that Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh was arrested by plain clothes agents on June 25, 2011.Mohammad Amin-Alizadeh is a Kurdish student and the editor of Chia Student Publication at Esfahan University.

 

Student Activists to Obama: “End US Appeasement Policy towards IRI”

HRANA News Agency – On the 32nd anniversary of the day when the American embassy in Tehran was occupied by student activists in 1979, nineteen former and current student activists have written a letter to President Obama to ask him to end the US appeasement policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Bamdad Khabar Website has released the complete contents of this letter as follows:

Your Excellency, the President of the United States of America,

With greetings,
Last year on a day such as this, a group of student activists wrote a letter to you to direct your attention towards human rights violations in Iran and your moral obligation to support our oppressed nation.

On November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian student activists who called themselves “the Followers of Imam’s Line” attacked the United States embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats and workers hostage.Because according to International Law, embassies are the sovereign soil of the countries they represent, this action was a grave mistake resulting in serious damage to Iran’s national interests.

While thirty two years have passed since that event took place, revolutionaries of those days have been taken hostage by the Islamic Republic of Iran and even the same student activists are imprisoned today.

During the last few years, our nation has shown time and again that it desires to be set free from the claws of the current regime.Two years ago, while Iranians were facing bullets and batons in the streets, they asked you, “With whom do you stand? With the regime or with the people?”

People’s voices were heard shouting, “Obama, Obama, either with them or with us.”Addressing you directly, our nation asked you for help, but your advisors directed you to negotiate with the “hostage takers,” the Islamic regime that has taken our nation captive.As a result, the Islamic Republic of Iran comfortably and confidently continued to suppress peaceful demonstrations in the streets of Tehran.

What did you gain from extending a hand of friendship towards the Islamic Republic of Iran?The regime replied back by taking three American hikers hostage, sent weapons to terrorist groups in Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Nigeria, plotted to assassinate the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC and continued to pursuit developing nuclear weaponry.

Mr. President, currently, our brothers and sisters in Syria are fighting against the brutal regime of Bashar Assad.As a result, more than 4,000 Syrians have been killed and tens of thousands have been imprisoned and injured.Meanwhile, the statesmen in Tehran maliciously continue to support the dictatorship of Syria because they know that their fate is tied to that of Bashar Assad, and their turn will come soon.

Our brothers and sisters in Syria have asked for your support by declaring a no-fly zone over parts of the Syrian air space in order to prevent further killing of the dissidents by the oppressive regime.Further negligence of the US government on this matter is not acceptable.We recommend ceasing the US appeasement policy towards Damascus and not repeat the same mistake made while dealing with the Green Movement in Iran.Stand by the Syrians, and ignore the demands made by dictatorships such as Russia and China.

Your Excellency, Mr. Obama, you are not only the president of the most powerful government in the world but also the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.Hence, your moral objection towards establishing peace and protecting human lives has been doubled many times over.In our letters written in the past years, we asked you to follow up on violations of human rights especially those aimed towards students in Iran.

Three American hikers together with many Iranian students can testify about what is happening in prisons throughout our country.In recent weeks, the situation has deteriorated such that the Islamic regime has begun flogging student activists whose prison terms have ended.The annual report released by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the report written by the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations, Dr. Ahmad Shaheed, reveal only a small portion of human rights violations not only in prisons but also throughout our country.

During the last decade, passive policies and the negligence of the international community resulted in the creation of a nuclear regime in North Korea.If the Islamic Republic of Iran is allowed to develop nuclear weaponry, the same mistake will be repeated; such a debacle must be prevented.

Let us say it clearly and loudly that we don’t wish for your military intervention in Iran and warn you about its unintended and adverse consequences under the current conditions.We hereby ask you to do what the US government has announced itself.We ask you to take sanctions against the highest government officials in the Islamic Republic of Iran and their immediate relatives and partners seriously.Blocking their bank accounts and properties and banning their trips outside Iran are also equally important.

We also request to impose sanctions on all companies whose shares are owned by the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC) and their high ranking executive officers.We ask you to help our nation to have easy access to the Internet and satellite programs and make free flow of information possible.We want you to fight against censorship, Internet filtering, and deliberate jamming of radio and TV signals with the intention to disrupt communications and the surveillance of dissidents in Iran.We ask you to severely punish all governments and companies that help to facilitate such actions in Iran.

We request from you to remain committed to the sanctions imposed on the commanders of IRGC and individuals violating human rights in Iran.We ask you to place pressure on governments, organizations and companies that violate the terms of such sanctions.We want you to pressure your alias not to assist the Islamic Republic of Iran by supporting the sanctions against the regime.We ask you to pay attention and be aware of the media funded by American tax-payers but used as a soapbox to promote an appeasement policy towards the supports of the Islamic Republic of Iran, anti-west and anti-American trends.

We call for imposing sanctions on the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a ban on the purchase of oil from IRI because the Islamic regime uses the funds to build and further strengthen its intelligence and military apparatus instead of providing economic resources for our nation.The Islamic Republic of Iran also utilizes the revenue from the sale of oil to support and spread terrorism and oppresses democratic movements throughout our country.

We request to end the appeasement policy towards dictators.Instead, empower our people who once bravely poured into the streets of Iran but returned home disappointed due to the lack of support from the international community and also the brutal oppression of the regime.And let Iranians know and feel that they can achieve what they set out to do.

There are many ways to reach these goals, but you must possess the will to pursuit them.

Cordially,

Signatories:

Amir Hussein Etamadi – Former student activist, University of Tehran, and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Ali Tarokh – Student activist, Shiraz Azad University and a senior member of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s presidential campaign, student division, Fars Province.
Nima Rashedan – Researcher, political analyst and a former student activist.
Arman Rezakhani – Winner of Khwarizmi International Award in 2007 & 2008 and credited for the discovery of two theorems in trigonometry and mathematics.
Sahar Reza Zadeh – Former student activist, University of Tehran.
Pedram Rafati – A member of the Islamic Association of Students, Amirkabir University of Technology and banned from continuing his education.
Amin Riahi – A member of Tahkim-e Vadhat, General Council.
Salman Sima – Student activist, Tehran Azad University, and banned from continuing his education.
Siavash Safavi – Former student activist, University of Mazandaran.
Ahmad Eshghyar – Former student activist, University of Tehran, and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Liuna Isagholian – Former student activist, University of Tehran, and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Saeed Ghaseminejad – Former student activist, University of Tehran, and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Navid Mohbei – Student activist, Azad University, and blogger.
Mashood Masjodi – Former member of the Islamic Association of Students, School of Engineering, University of Tehran.
Ali-Reza Mousavi – Former member of the Islamic Association of Students, Allameh Tabatabai University, and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Behzad Mahrani – Journalist, political analyst and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Yohana Najdi – PhD graduate student of political science, USM University of Malaysia, and a member of Iranian Liberal Students & Graduates.
Ali Nazari – Former student activist, University of Mazandaran.
Rahim Hemati – Former head of the student branch, Jonbesh Moslamanan Mobarez.

Copyright © 2009-2011 All Rights Reserved

Mohammad Zarei, Semnan University Student Activist, Arrested

HRANA News Agency – In the early hours of Saturday, July 2, 2011, Mohammad Zarei, a student activist, was arrested.Mohammad Zarei studies Applied Chemistry at Semnan University and is a member of the Islamic Association of Students.

According to a report by Jaras News, Mohammad Zarei who is a dissident was arrested while leaving a bus to enter the university and subsequently taken to unknown location.Jaras News has also reported that Mohammad Zarei is the fourth Semnan University student detained in recent months.Meysam Imamzadeh, Amin Roghani and Ehsan Qashqaie were arrested previously but released on bail.

 

Yazd University Student Arrested for Preaching Christianity

HRANA News Agency – Mustafa Zangavaei Boshahri, a twenty-four year old college student born in Gachsaran, was arrested when he left his house.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Iranian intelligence agents have contacted Mustafa Zangavaei Boshahri’s family and informed them that he has been arrested.

Mustafa Zangavaei Boshahri has been charged with preaching the reincarnation of Christ and the coming of the Savior at the University of Yazd.

 

Student Sit-in at the University of Water and Power Technology

HRANA News Agency – Students at the University of Water and Power Technology have staged a sit-in to protest against the closure of student dormitories during summer.The University of Water and Power Technology is located in Hakimiye, north east of Tehran.

According to a report by Alef News, in an unprecedented move, university officials have decided to close student dormitories all summer.This decision has been reached despite the fact that the university has sufficient amenities and resources to keep the dormitories open.

Since yesterday, June 22, 2011, a number of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Water and Power Technology have gathered in front of the school president’s office building to voice their objection.Thus far, school officials have not provided a logical and convincing argument to the students for the decision behind the closure of the dormitories.

As a general rule, during the summer semester, universities throughout the country routinely provide room and board to graduate students enrolled in seminars and undergraduate students working on their final projects.

 

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Siamak Koshi, Student Activist, Expelled

HRANA News Agency – Siamak Koshi, a student activist, has been expelled from Tabriz Azad University after his release from prison.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the Office of Student Affairs at Tabriz Azad University has sent an official letter to Siamak Koshi to inform him that he has been expelled from this university.No reason was given for his expulsion.

On May 20, 2011, Siamak Koshi, a Mechanical Engineering student, was arrested by Iran’s Intelligence Agency and charged with propaganda against the regime.

 

Imprisoned Student, Ali Ajami, Beaten and Battered

HRANA News Agency – On the morning of June 22, 2011, for an unknown reason, the assistant warden of Rajai-Shahr Prison in Karaj beat and battered Ali Ajami in the prison’s medical clinic.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists for Democracy in Iran, Ali Ajami who is a leftist activist had gone to the prison hospital for medical care. While there, the Assistant Warden Khadem severely beat and battered Ali Ajami.

Once Ali Ajami returned to his prison cell in Ward 4, Hall 12, other prisoners having seen his bruises and injuries protested by demanding a public apology from the Assistant Warden Khadem.The prisoners also refused to accept their daily food rations.

The current assistant warden in Rajai-Shahr Prison is one of the known interrogators and torturers in this prison.In recent years, he has held various posts such as the director of ward 1, the director of prison’s intelligence agency and most recently the job of assistant warden at Rajai-Shahr Prison.

Some time ago, while two defenseless prisoners, Hussein Qazvini and Godarzi, were being held in isolation cells in Ward 1 of Rajai-Shahr Prison, the Assistant Warden Khadem tortured and beat them such that as a result, he broke their legs.

When the Assistant Warden Khadem was the director of intelligence agency in Rajai-Shahr Prison, he raped and impregnated a female officer.For this reason, he was fired from his job and transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison for a while.

 

Majid Dari: “Students Stand Tall Against Tyrants!”

HRANA News Agency – Majid Dari is an imprisoned student activist expelled from Allameh Tabatabai University (ATU) in Tehran.He studied literature at ATU and was a member of the Advocacy Council for the Right to Education.In July of 2009, Majid Dari was arrested by Iranian Intelligence Agency and locked up in Evin Prison.

Following a trial and an appeal, Majid Dari was sentenced to 6 years in prison and exiled to Khuzestan Province.In August 2010, without prior notice, prison officials placed Majid Dari in shackles and transferred him to a prison in the city of Behbahan.Since then, he has been serving his prison term in exile.

Majid Dari has written the following statement from Behbahan Prison on the occasion of the new school year in Iran:

Rain, pour in torrents
Pour and shed my falling rotten leaves
Pour till I fall into a fruitful slumber
to the gloomy melody of rain

— Mohammad Shams Langeroodi

It is difficult to talk about September, school and its reopening and hard to dig up school memories.It is naïve to talk about the resistance in universities and what effects they’ve had.It is equally gullible to mention all the scathing criticisms and trashing aimed towards universities and to remember the never-ending hollers towards the occupiers.

All of these are already known by everyone.We know that universities didn’t tolerate oppression and rejected injustice even under the most difficult circumstance.We know that universities gave blood to irrigate the tree of liberty and boasted of sacrifices made while proudly passing the baton to the fresh blood coming through the gates to repeat the cycle…

There was a time when we screamed not to concede an inch for the day would come when they could dictate what we were allowed to utter, read and wear.Although we stood alone, at the end, we prevented universities from becoming monolithic institutes devoid of diversity and stopped the second Cultural Revolution from taking place.

To our utter dismay, the tale has reportedly taken another turn without our knowledge.September begins again while these tragedies take place together all at once.Even worse, university students go along with the prevailing tide, submit to it and accept it.And the depths of the disaster widen.Thereafter, permissible thoughts are dictated and allowable beliefs are announced while the so-called brave students with their silent screams bend and capitulate.

When the time for talking, bragging and showing off had ended, and it was time for action, the on-going resistance was considered foolish.To those of us still standing, they said, “We haven’t backed off; our tactics have changed.”Thus, this change in tactics effectively buried the next generation under a pile of compromise and brought about a disaster unprecedented in the history of universities and their students.

Now, where are those who must answer?Where are those who must compare the weight of their raves and rants against their actions or at least express some remorse?Are they still adamant that their change in tactics has been effective and blame us for what has conspired?

I wanted to hail the university, but given the fact that universities have their own distinguishing characteristics, I won’t because this place resembles a high school more.I wanted to hail all college students, but these individuals liken to junior schoolchildren.

Therefore, begging your pardon, I must say, “Hey, I am talking to you!Hey, you, the ones I recognize not.I am happy for not being by your side now or during the past four years.I am pleased with not shaming myself to attend college in such a place.I am delighted for having been expelled but not humiliated in this manner.I am overjoyed with the thought of being alone instead of having friends such as you, the ones I know not.”

College students possess and universities hold within themselves certain reverence and sanctity such that they bow to no one, accept no humiliation and stand tall against tyrants.They fear not but challenge and defeat the enemy.They offer their lives while standing erect.They offer blood and remain steadfast.They dedicate their lives to bring about growth and change.To those who know who college students and what universities are, if this tree dries up and dies, we are all responsible.Yes, all of us.

College students!Universities!I miss you all, and my heart aches for you.Therefore, this time too, swallowing the knot in my throat, I shout once more:

Hail Majid Tavakoli!Hail Mahdieh Golro!Hail Zia Nabavi!Hail Abdollah Momeni!Greetings to Bahareh Hedayat!

Majid Dari
Expelled Student of Allameh

 

Summoning of Tehran University Student Activist, Mahdi Tajik

HRANA News Agency –Mahdi Tajik, a graduate student at University of Tehran, was summoned by Evin Court Enforcement Office in order to start his two-year prison term.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), this journalist and student activist was arrested in his home following the mass protests on Ashura in 2009.Mahdi Tajik was convicted and sentenced by the lower court in 2010 to 27 months in prison and banned from political activity and journalism for 30 years.Last year, this ruling was changed and reduced by the Appeals Court to 24 months in prison and a 15 year ban from political activity and journalism.

As a result of the ruling by the Appeals Court, Mehdi Tajik will be denied work as a professional journalist and will not be able to conduct any speeches or interviews, write articles or become a member of any political groups and parties for a period of 15 years.

Mahdi Tajik is an expert nuclear physicist and a graduate student at Tehran University Law School.In 2006, he was also arrested and charged by the security forces for founding a student activist organization.Subsequently, Majdi Tajik was locked up for several months in the Revolutionary Guard Detention Center, Number 59. In the same year, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two and a half years in prison.

Two Student Activists Arrested

HRANA News Agency – During last week, one student from Tehran University and another one from Azad University were arrested by Iranian security agents and taken to an unknown location.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on Thursday, August 11, 2011, following the receipt of a summon to the Intelligence Agency’s Investigation Unit, Khatereh Danesh Tavakol was arrested.On the same day, she contacted her family briefly and informed them that she was in temporary custody.Khatereh Danesh Tavakol is a student at Azad University.

On Saturday, August 13, 2011, security agents raided Malina Bakhtiarnejad’s family home and took her to an unknown location.During the raid, a computer, various documents, books, and personal belongings were seized. Malina Bakhtiarnejad is a student at Tehran University.

The reasons for both arrests as announced by security agents are publication and distribution of films and pamphlets covering Color Revolutions and non violent resistance and also connections with activists abroad.