Three Citizens Arrested By Security Forces in Naqadeh

On January 4, security forces in Naqadeh County arrested three people and transferred them to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, two citizens identified as Ahad Mulavi and Hossein Khaliani were arrested. Reportedly, intelligence agents did not show an arrest warrant.

On Tuesday, another citizen identified as Chakoo Ghalandari was arrested at his home in a village in Naqadeh.

The reasons for these arrests, their whereabouts and charges are still unknown at the time of writing.

Two Citizens Killed and Injured by Direct Police Shooting in Iranshahr City

On January 2 in Iranshahr City, police forces from Station 13 used live ammunition to stop a vehicle that they had been chasing, leading to the death and injury of two brothers.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh News Outlet, the two brothers were identified as Saeed and Omid Ameri.

The reasons for the chase and shooting are unknown at the time of writing.

According to HRANA’s annual report, in 2021, 242 citizens were targeted by unruly shootings by regime military forces, of which 94 have been killed. This includes 23 Kolbars (cross border carriers), 31 Sukhtbar (cross-border fuel porters). 148 people have been injured including 81 Kolbars and 51 Sukhtbars.

Shirku Agooshi Sentenced to 10 Years In Prison

On December 29, former political prisoner Shirku Agooshi was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Criminal Court of Mahabad City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, the resident of Piranshahr was sentenced by Branch 103 of the Criminal Court of Mahabad, headed by Judge Gholam Karimkhani. He was tried on the charge of alleged armed conflict with IRGC’s forces.

At the same time, the Criminal Court of Mahabad City sentenced Hossein Alvand-Koohi, resident of Mahabad City, to 10 years in prison on the same charge as Agooshi.

Agooshi has previously been faced with arrest and conviction. On August 31, 2019, he was injured and arrested by IRGC’s forces. Thereafter, he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Piranshahr City on the charge of “membership in an anti-regime political party.”

On June 19, 2021, he was released on furlough from Naghadeh Prison with an electronic tag and restricted movement. He was finally freed on July 1, 2021.

Two Citizens Arrested in Kamyaran and Piranshahr Cities

On December 27, security forces arrested Kianoosh Rahmani in Kamyaran. The next day Karim Poormohammad was arrested in Piranshahr. Both were transferred to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Rahmani, a resident of Kamyaran County, was arrested after a previous summons by IRGC’s intelligence unit.

“Last Sunday, the security forces raided his house to arrest him, but he was not at home and they searched the house”, an informed source said.

As of yet, the security institution responsible for these arrests has not revealed to either family the reason for arrest, the charges or their whereabouts.

Teacher’s Union Activist Fatemeh Bahmani Arrested in Shazand city

On December 24, security forces arrested teacher and union activist Fatemeh Bahmani at her house in Shazand City. Her cell phone was confiscated during the arrest.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, IRGC’s security agents arrested Bahmani without showing an arrest warrant.

The reasons for the arrest and her whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.

Bahmani was arrested earlier in 2018 along with her husband Mohammad Kurd. They were arrested during a protest and sit-down strike in Arak City and transferred to the city’s prison. In two different cases for each, they were sentenced to two years suspended imprisonment for three years and fined 8 million tomans (1904 USD).

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Two People Arrested by Security Forces in Naghadeh County

Two citizens were arrested by security forces and transferred to an unidentified location last Sunday. The arrests occurred in Naghadeh County, West Azerbaijan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Sarhang Alizadeh and Farzin Abdollahzadeh, both the residents of the village Kueek, were arrested for allegedly “collaborating with an opposition political party”. Reportedly, security agents did not show an arrest warrant.

The arrestee’s whereabouts are still unknown at the time of writing.

Aram Moradian Detained After 37 Days

Aram Moradian, a resident of Tangsir Village in Kurdistan Province, is still in detention after 37 days. On November 14, he was arrested after his appearance at the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Moradian has been denied a lawyer and family visitation. He was reportedly allowed to make two short phone calls.

According to an informed source, Aram Moradian was summoned to the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj. During the session, the court issued a detention warrant against him.

On April 27, he was arrested by security forces without a warrant. After being charged with “collaboration with one of the opposition political parties”, he was released on bail of 500 million tomans (approx. 18000 dollars) until the end of legal proceedings.

Update on Arrestees of Recent Protest in Isfahan

A crackdown on protests in Isfahan has led to the arrest of at least 214 people. 12 days after the mass arrests, an unknown number of people, including several children, are still in detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, some detainees were forced to pledge not to leave the house next Friday as a condition for release.

In announcing the release of some detainees, Chief Justice of Isfahan Province, Asadollah Jafari stated that they, “have opened legal cases against these arrestees and as promised… have launched special branches to address these cases”. 

This protest began on November 7, when farmers assembled at the office of Hossein Mirzaie to ask for their water portion for wheat cultivation, and protest against water supply mismanagement.

Farmers continued their protest by assembling in dried up stretches of the river Zayandeh Rud.  In the following days, other citizens joined the protest.

On Friday, November 26, a farmers’ protest in Isfahan over water mismanagement turned violent after military and police forces used tear gas and live ammunition on protesters.

Iranian Citizens Run Bandaged-Eye Campaign in Solidarity with Protesters Injured in Violent Police Crackdown in Isfahan

Several citizens have posted photos of their faces with bandages over their eyes as an act of protest against the Regime’s brutal crackdown in Isfahan on Friday, during which several were injured from the direct shooting of military and security forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, local doctors and medical staff have reported high numbers of patients in recent days. Official sources say that at least 19 protesters were injured last Friday, and two are reportedly in critical condition. However, the number of injured people are estimated to be significantly higher.

“In just one hospital, there were about 19 patients who were injured by shooting last Friday and Saturday. Therefore, with all likelihood, contrary to what official media have reported, far more than 19 people have been injured,” a specialist and eye surgeon in Isfahan told HRANA. “The distance of pellets on these patients’ faces indicates that they have been shot from a close range–maybe only a few meters. If the bullets are made of lead, even being hit from a 30-meter distance can cause irreparable damages.”

Military forces using pellet guns against protesters is by no means unprecedented. On February 3, 2018, during a protest of Gonabadi Dervishes in front of the home of their spiritual leader, Noor-Ali Tabandeh, security forces fired pellet guns at the protesters, after which several were injured and some even lost their sight.

Since the widespread use of pellet guns by Chile Police in 2019, which led to the injury of the eye injury of 445 people and permanent blinding of 34, the bandaged eye became a rallying symbol in Chile. Iranian protesters have also used this symbol to express their protest against the regime’s brutality.

Prison Sentence for CEO of Online Marketplace Divar Upheld on Appeal

Recently, the court of appeals upheld a 3 month prison sentence against Ashkan Armandehi, CEO of the e-commerce platform Divar, on a charge of “promotion of impurity and indecency”.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the website management team responded that the advertisements invoked in the case do not contain any unlawful content. They maintain that the conviction is based on third party acts that took place outside of the online platform.

The statement goes on to highlight potential damages that this verdict would cause to the many businesses that use Divar to facilitate online sales, as well as the potential implications for similar e-commerce platforms.