Category: Prisoners

Report on Political Prisoner Masoud Akbari’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Masoud Akbari, Parviz Akbari, مسعود اکبری

Masoud (Parviz) Akbari, a political prisoner, is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to five years of enforceable imprisonment by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on reports received by HRANA, Mr. Akbari, who was arrested during the anniversary of the nationwide protests in 2022, was sentenced to nine years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the maximum punishment of five years is enforceable in his case.

The charges against Akbari include “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “membership in groups or organizations formed inside the country to undermine national security,” and “active and effective efforts to advance the goals of groups that have risen in armed rebellion against the regime.”

Akbari was arrested by security forces on September 16, 2023, on a street in Tehran and was transferred to Evin Prison after being held for two months in IRGC custody. It is worth mentioning that some of Mr. Akbari’s personal belongings were confiscated at the time of his arrest.

Masoud Akbari, aged around 37, is active in theater and is the father of one child.

Update on Political Prisoner Mehdi Saleh Yazdani’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, مهدی صالح یزدانی

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, a political prisoner, is serving a ten-year prison sentence on charges of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) in Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Yazdani was sentenced to ten years in prison at Kahnouj Prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar in February-March 2024 on charges of “moharebeh” through the arson of a mosque in the vicinity of Shahriar.

A source close to this political prisoner’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Mr. Yazdani’s defense attorney has appealed the mentioned charge, and his client’s case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.”

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani was arrested on December 18, 2022, by IRGC intelligence officers at his home in Shahriar. After completing the interrogation process at one of the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities, he was transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Subsequently, Mr. Yazdani was charged at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shahriar with “moharebeh” through the arson of a mosque and “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

On April 10, 2023, he, along with several other political and ideological prisoners, was transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Evin Prison. He is currently held in Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, aged around 56, is the father of a daughter and a resident of Shahriar. Before his arrest, he was a taxi driver.

Latest Status of Political Prison Jaber Sakhravi in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Jaber Sakhravi, Sheiban Prison

Jaber Sakhravi, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz has recently suffered a stroke but he has been denied transfer to a hospital in Ahvaz for a physiotherapy session due to opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family told HRANA: “Mr. Sakhravi had a stroke 10 days ago and was hospitalized in Golestan Hospital for two days. Despite doctors’ recommendations for continued treatment, he was returned to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison. Doctors have prescribed 12 physiotherapy sessions for his recovery, but the Ministry of Intelligence of Ahvaz is preventing his transfer to the hospital. As a result, the first physiotherapy session, scheduled for Monday, July 22, at Golestan Hospital, did not take place.”

According to information received by HRANA, in addition to suffering from a stroke that has slowed and slurred his speech, Mr. Sakhravi also suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), right leg paralysis, testicular swelling, and stomach pain. Despite his family providing the necessary medications, prison officials refuse to deliver them to him.

Sakhravi is in his tenth year of imprisonment in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz. HRANA has previously reported on his latest status.

Sakhravi was sentenced by “Judge Sha’bouni” at the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to 14 years and six months of imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security through moharebeh (enmity against God).” This sentence was later reduced to 12 years and five months by Branch 16 of the Ahvaz Court of Appeals

Report on Hossein Kooshki Nejad’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hossein Kooshki Nejad, HRANA, Khorramabad

Hossein Kooshki Nejad, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He suffers from physical health issues which has been denied transfer to a hospital and appropriate medical care.

A source familiar with the condition of this political prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Kooshki Nejad has a meniscus tear in his knee and, according to doctors, requires surgery. He has made several written requests for hospital transfer, but has not received any response and has been deprived of specialized medical care.”

Kooshki Nejad was arrested on April 7th of this year to serve his sentence and was transferred to Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Last year, he faced new legal charges in Khorramabad’s Prosecutor’s Office. The indictment for this case, accusing him of “propaganda activities against the regime,” was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Subsequently, a judge sentenced him to one year in prison.

Kooshki Nejad, born in 1988, is the brother of Reza Koushki Nejad, who was arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Mahnaz Tarah Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahnaz Tarah

Mahnaz Tarah, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide on the evening of Tuesday, July 23, by ingesting pills.

A source close to her family confirmed the news to HRANA: “On the evening of Tuesday, July 23, Ms. Tarah attempted suicide by ingesting pills. She was transferred to Loghman Hospital and returned to Evin Prison about an hour ago.”

Mahnaz Tarah was violently arrested by security forces on November 13, 2023, on a street in Tehran. She was eventually transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the public ward of the prison on November 23 of the same year.

In January of 2024, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to three years and eight months in prison for “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Her sentence was reduced to two years and nine months following a plea of no contest.

Mahnaz Tarah has had previous encounters with judicial and security authorities.

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Political Prisoner Hamidreza Sahlabadi Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

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Evin Prison, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, HRANA, حمیدرضا سهل آبادی

On Saturday, July 20th, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide by ingesting pills. Following the attempt, he was transferred to Loghman Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit and is not allowed visitors.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed Sahlabadi’s suicide attempt to HRANA: “Hamidreza attempted suicide by ingesting pills in protest against his summons again to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on July 27th . He was transferred to Loghman Hospital at 5 AM on Saturday, July 20th. He is currently in the intensive care unit. The authorities are preventing his family from visiting him, which has heightened their concerns about his health.”

This political prisoner was arrested on July 3, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home and transferred to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In July-August of last year, Mr. Sahlabadi was sentenced by the Criminal Court Two of Shahid Kachouyi Judicial Complex in Tehran to two years in prison on charges of “destruction of public property,” including time served. This sentence was upheld in late December of the same year by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

A court session regarding other charges in his case, along with seven other defendants, was held on June 30th in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges included “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “disruption of public order,” “propaganda against the regime,” “destruction of public property,” “armed rebellion,” and “membership in a rebellious group.”

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Mr. Sahlabadi also has a history of arrest and conviction in 2009.”

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Health Concerns for Political Prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Meysam Dehban-Zadeh, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, میثم دهبان زاده

Political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh is serving his sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj. Last year, he was beaten by prison guards and tied to a pole with handcuffs for a day. According to doctors, his left eye nerves are now damaged and are no longer treatable.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “In May of last year, following a quarrel among prisoners, Mr. Dehbanzadeh was beaten on the head with batons by six prison guards in Ward 5 of Greater Tehran Prison, where prisoners convicted of violent crimes are held. He was tied to a pole with handcuffs for a day. Last week, he was transferred to Farabi Hospital due to decreased vision and recurring headaches. Specialist doctors, after examination and an MRI of his left eye, announced that his vision problem is untreatable.”

According to HRANA’s information, this political prisoner has encountered difficulties in his daily tasks due to reduced vision in his left eye, increasing the concerns of his family about his physical condition.

On June 19th of this year, in relation to the Evin Prison fire case, Dehbanzadeh was sentenced by the Tehran Criminal Court II, presided over by Jabar Javadi, to six years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction,” 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order,” and 16 months in prison for the charge of “disobeying and resisting officers’ orders.”

Previously, in August 2023, Dehbanzadeh was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to six years in prison, a travel ban, and social deprivations.

Meysam Dehbanzadeh was released from Greater Tehran Prison on May 27, 2023, following the issuance of an “amnesty” directive related to his previous case.

A Report on the Latest Situation of Ali Pasban in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Ali Pasban, Isfahan, Kashan, Mashhad, Political Prisoner, Vakilabad prison, علی پاسبان

Ali Pasban, a political prisoner, is serving his seven-year sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He is being held in the same ward as prisoners convicted of violent crimes, in violation of prison regulations.

A source close to Mr. Pasban’s family told HRANA, “He is being held in the violent criminals’ ward, Salon 102, Ward 5 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, without adherence to the principle of separation of crimes. Recently, after he protested against the inappropriate behavior of a prison official, he was threatened. The guards told him they would hire individuals in that ward to harm him. He reported to his family about ongoing harassment, threats, and the danger to his life, and requested legal assistance.”

This citizen was arrested on August 26, 2021, in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in this city. In January 2022, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on charges of “membership in opposition groups intending to disrupt national security.”
Additionally, in March-April 2022, he was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
Mr. Pasban had previously been convicted and served prison sentences in Isfahan and Kashan in 2018 and 2019 on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

Political Detainee Parivash Moslemi Detained for Over 15 Days

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Evin Prison, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for over fifteen days with unclear legal status.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Moslemi was arrested on July 7th after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Parivash has also been charged with offenses such as ‘propaganda against the regime,’ ‘insulting the Founder and the Supreme Leader,’ and ‘assembly and collusion against national security.'”

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in Varamin.

Report on the Latest Status of Atefeh Rangriz in Shahroud Prison

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News, Prisoners
Atefeh Rangriz, Damghan, HRANA, Shahroud prison, عاطفه رنگریز

Atefeh Rangriz, a women’s rights activist, is serving her sentence in Shahroud Prison. Ms. Rangriz was previously sentenced by the Shahroud Revolutionary Court to over three years and three months in prison.

A source close to the family of this women’s rights activist confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Rangriz has recently begun serving her prison term in Shahroud Prison. This women’s rights activist was previously sentenced by the Shahroud Revolutionary Court to two years, seven months, and sixteen days for ‘collaborating and being a member of opposition groups’ and to seven months and sixteen days for ‘propaganda against the regime.'”

The source added: “Rangriz was also fined six million tomans, which was altered following the prosecutor’s objection to the mentioned prison term.”

On June 29, Rangriz was arrested and transferred to Shahroud Prison for sentencing after a court session addressing her charges in another case at Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Damghan. For this case, she faces the charges of ‘forming a group to disrupt national security, propaganda against the regime, and spreading falsehoods on social media to disturb public opinion.’

Atefeh Rangriz was arrested by security forces in Damghan on September 10, 2023, and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Semnan. After completing interrogation, she was transferred to Shahroud Prison. Finally, on October 21, 2023, she was released from Shahroud Prison on bail.

Ms. Rangriz has previously been arrested and sentenced due to her activism.