Mohammad Hassan Amidi Detained by Ministry of Intelligence

Mohammad Hassan Amidi, a resident of Shahr-e Rey, continues to be held in uncertainty nine days after his arrest, currently detained in the Ministry of Intelligence detention center known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Amidi, aged around 63, was arrested by security forces in Shahr-e Rey on June 18, 2024, and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention center known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against this citizen are unknown.

Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari Imprisoned in Evin Prison on Political Charges

Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari, a political prisoner, is serving her sentence in Evin Prison. She was previously sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Karimi, around 55 years old, who was previously sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, was arrested by security forces at her private residence on June 10th to serve her sentence and was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.”

According to information received by HRANA, charges against this political prisoner include “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in opposition groups to act against national security.”

Report on the Latest Situation of Three Female Prisoners in Evin Prison

Fereshteh Hosseini, Narges Khorasani, and Parisa Yousefi, followers of Erfan-e-Halgheh (Interuniversal Mysticism), are serving their sentences in Evin Prison. These individuals were sent to this prison on June 15th of this year to serve their sentences.

A source close to the family of one of these prisoners told HRANA, “These individuals were convicted in the same case and sent to Evin Prison on June 15 to serve their sentences. Previously, the Revolutionary Court had sentenced Fereshteh Hosseini to five years in prison, and Narges Khorasani and Parisa Yousefi to three years each.”

According to information received by HRANA, all three were arrested and sentenced due to their support of the Erfan-e-Halgheh.

These individuals were previously arrested by security forces in August 2022. Shortly afterward, they were released from Evin Prison on bail.

265 Years and Over 5000 Lashes for Defendants in Evin Prison Fire Case

The Criminal Court 2 of Tehran has sentenced the defendants in the Evin Prison Fire case to a cumulative 265 years in prison, 5032 lashes, blood money (Diya) for one individual, and other penalties.

The defendants, convicted on charges including “property destruction,” “disturbing prison order,” “disobeying and resisting orders from officials,” and manslaughter, are as follows:

Majid Roshannejad, Luqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Sina Mirzaie, Mohammad-Sobhan Moazzenzadeh, Ayoub Emamizadeh, Ahmadreza Kunani, Sasan Zamani, Mohammad Geravand, Saeed Khodapour, and Alireza Vali each received six years in prison and seven lashes for “property destruction,” 16 months and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Mohammad-Hossein Moradian, Masoud Hosseinzadeh, Reza Haji, Nima Mohammadi, Alireza Aslami, Amir-Hossein Yousefvand, Meysam Moradian, Sobhan Hayatpour, Reza Salmanzadeh, and Seyed-Mohammad Hossein Mousavi each were sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” one year and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.” Additionally, Alireza Aslami and Nima Mohammadi were sentenced to expulsion from Iran. Their second nationalities remain unknown.

Five defendants were also charged with manslaughter. Ghasem Mohammadi received six years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” 16 months and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials,” and must pay blood money (Diya) for one individual and serve an additional 40 months.

Erfan Zarif Ibn-Kazem, Jalal Narollahi, Gholam-Hassan Hashemi Siavashani, and Masoud Parchami received the same sentences as Ghasem Mohammadi except that they must pay 1/4 of the Diya.

Hamidreza Nazer and Hossein Delkhasteh were sentenced to 42 months in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” one year and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Mohammad-Ali Delkhasteh, Seyed-Milad Abolvafaye, Mohammad-Khan Mirzaie, Kamran Nadali, Alireza Nazari, and Seyed-Ali Mousavi received 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Lastly, Hassan Malekshahi, Ashkan Kafi, Omid Astaneh, Rahman Alipour, and Ali Sadeghi Shirsavar were sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

These individuals are currently serving their sentences for previous convictions in Ghezel Hesar and Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

Tabriz: Maryam Bayramian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Maryam Bayramian, a prisoner held in Tabriz Prison, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz.

According to a verdict recently issued by the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz and delivered to this imprisoned citizen, Ms. Bayramian has been sentenced to two years in prison on charges of “insulting officials and acting against national security.” Bayramian was arrested by security forces on June 8, 2023, during a speech by the late President Ebrahim Raisi in Tabriz and transferred to the Prison of this city.

Maryam Bayramian, a 45-year-old resident of Tabriz, is a mother of two.

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Evin Prison Fire Case: Four Defendants Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

Luqman (Lughman) Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Majid Roshannejad, and Reza Salmanzadeh, four defendants in the so-called Evin Prison Fire case, were sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison and 518 lashes by Branch 1148 of the Tehran Criminal Court.

Based on the verdict issued by Judge Jabbar Javadi Rami of Branch 1148 of the Tehran Criminal Court, and communicated to these prisoners on Wednesday, June 19th, Aminpour, Dehbanzadeh, and Roshannejad were each sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction”, sixteen months in prison and 74 lashes for “disrupting prison order”, and sixteen months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.” Additionally, Reza Salmanzadeh was sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction”, one year for “disrupting prison order”, and one year in prison for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials”.

The court session that was held yesterday addressed the charges against 40 prisoners. Further details regarding the sentences of other defendants in this case are still under investigation by HRANA.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

Previously, a source close to one of the prisoners’ families told HRANA, “During the court session, the judge prevented the defendants’ lawyers from being present. Ramin Safarnia, the defense lawyer for these four defendants was expelled from the court by the judge. Despite the defendant’s objection, the judge insisted on expelling the defendants’ lawyer from the court session and only accepted written defenses from the defendants.”

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

Four Protestors Remain in Detention Amid Legal Uncertainty

Milad Armoon, Seyed Mohammad-Mehdi Hosseini, Mehdi Imani, and Navid Najaran, four defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Township” case, remain in indefinite detention for over a year.

These individuals were transferred from Ward 2-A of Evin Prison, which is under the control of IRGC Intelligence, to Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj in mid-June of this year, after completing the interrogation process. Their case is still in Branch 4 of the Criminal Court Prosecutor’s Office of District 27 in Tehran and has not yet been referred to Branch 13 of the Tehran Criminal Court. According to the defense attorney for one of the defendants, their transfer to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center was for completing court-requested investigations.

In early November 2022, amid nationwide protests, at least 50 young residents of Ekbatan Township were arrested by security forces for their alleged involvement in an incident that resulted in the death of a Basij member named Arman Aliverdi.

Indictments were issued for 14 of them. In April 2023, the Judiciary spokesman announced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through the use of cold weapons and actions against national security” for three defendants. According to the issued indictment, these citizens are accused of charges including “assisting in intentional murder,” and “disruption of public order and peace.”

In late September 2023, after four court hearings, the court did not refer their case for further investigations and Branch 13 of the Tehran Criminal Court intervened to expedite the process and determine the status of the defendants. Another part of their case has been referred to Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

Of the eight defendants, Hossein Nemati, Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Alireza Kafaie, and Amir-Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal were released on bail from Qezel Hesar Prison in February of last year.

Previously, defense attorney Payam Derafshan confirmed that four individuals face the charge of ‘Moharebeh.’

In April of this year, the case was returned to the Prosecutor’s Office for what was described as addressing a “confidential deficiency.”

Below are the details and arrest dates of the defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Township” case who remain in detention and uncertainty:

  • Milad Armoon – aged 25 – Arrest Date: November 2, 2022
  • Seyed Mohammad-Mehdi Hosseini – aged 25 – Arrest Date: December 6, 2022
  • Mehdi Imani – aged 29 – Arrest Date: December 15, 2022
  • Navid Najaran – aged 32 – Arrest Date: Unknown

Hora Nikbakht Detained in Evin Prison

Hora Nikbakht, a resident of Tehran, remains in detention in Evin Prison eight days after her arrest. She was detained and transferred to this prison after appearing at Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on information from HRANA, Ms. Nikbakht was arrested on June 12, after appearing at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Previously, this citizen had received a summons to defend herself against the charges attributed to her at the mentioned prosecutor’s office.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for her arrest and the charges against Nikbakht remain unknown.

Prisoner Exchange; Hamid Nouri Released from Prison and Returned to Iran

The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, announced on Saturday that Hamid Nouri had been exchanged for Johan Floderus, a Swedish diplomat imprisoned in Iran. In this prisoner swap, Saeed Azizi, a dual Iranian-Swedish citizen, was also released.

Hamid Nouri was arrested in Sweden for crimes against humanity in the summer of 1988 and the massacre of political prisoners. During this period, his detention was extended several times by a Swedish court. On July 14, 2022, a Swedish court charged Hamid Nouri with “gross and criminal violation of international law (equivalent to war crimes) and premeditated murder,” and he was found guilty on both counts. Ultimately, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation to the survivors and families of the victims of the 1988 executions.

Nouri was a prosecutor at Evin and Gohardasht prisons in Karaj in 1988. That summer, thousands of political prisoners in Iran were executed by the regime and secretly buried in mass graves.

Regarding Johan Floderus, an employee of the European Union’s foreign policy department, the Swedish government and the European Union had previously demanded the “immediate” release of this Swedish citizen from prison, calling his detention “arbitrary.” He faced several court sessions with charges such as “corruption on earth by a wide scale organizing act against the country’s security and territorial integrity, and collaborating with the Zionist occupying regime,” as well as “gathering and conspiring to commit crimes against national security.”

Saeed Azizi, a 63-year-old Iranian-Swedish citizen who was released along with Floderus, was arrested by security forces at his home in Tehran on November 12, 2022, during a trip to Iran. He was later sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Imprisoned Journalist Saba Azarpeik Suffers Miscarriage

Saba Azarpeik’s husband announced that the stress from prison conditions has caused the imprisoned journalist to miscarry. She was transferred from prison to the hospital yesterday with severe bleeding symptoms, but unfortunately, medical interventions failed to prevent the miscarriage.

Ataollah Hafezi, Ms. Azarpeik’s husband, shared on social media: “Yesterday, my wife was transferred from prison to the hospital due to severe bleeding and lost this month’s pregnancy. In February, following a nine-hour court session, our two-month-old fetus was also miscarried.” He emphasized the urgency of her release for necessary medical treatment to avert “permanent infertility.”

Addressing Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, the head of the Judiciary, Hafezi wrote: “Inquire about my wife’s mental state from the prison authorities. A lifelong anti-corruption advocate does not deserve this treatment. On the day of arrest, the head prosecutor was repeatedly informed that my wife should not be subjected to a stressful environment. Despite a one-day window to execute the order, she was physically harmed at the prosecutor’s office (evidenced by bruising on both arms) and forcibly taken to prison.”

On June 9, 2024, Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, reported that Saba Azarpeik was arrested “to enforce a final judicial decree involving multiple private plaintiffs.”

Previously, Saba Azarpeik was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, a fine, and required to restore reputation through apologies in a selected official newspaper due to accusations of five instances of publishing lies, defamation, and threats following separate complaints from the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Mohsen Dehnavi, and Zahra Sheikhi, representatives from Tehran and Isfahan, and two other complainants, as well as one year of imprisonment, a fine, and a two-year ban on online activities definitively for threats and five instances of accusations.