Category: Prisoners

Four Political Prisoners Coerced to Make TV Confession

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News, Other, Prisoners
Hajir Faramarzi, Komalah, Mohsen Mazloum, Pejman Fatehi, Tasnim, Vafa Azarbar

Recently, Iran’s state TV broadcasted coerced confessions of four political prisoners Mohsen Mazloum, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar and Hajir Faramarzi. On July 23, 2022, these individuals were arrested in Urmia County. After three months of detention, their lawyer is still denied access to the clients and legal case documents.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Iran’s state TV broadcasted a forced confession video of four political detainees, raising concerns about their conditions and subsequent severe punishments.

After 136 days of detention, these individuals’ families are not informed about their whereabouts and the charges. They have also been denied any access to their lawyer.

On July 23, 2022, security-institution-affiliated news agency Tasnim reported the arrest of “a network of Israeli spies” referring to these individuals. Tasnim also claimed that “having operational and communication equipment and explosive materials, they crossed into the country from the Kurdistan region to carry out unprecedented terrorist operations in some secure-sensitive locations.”

In response, Komalah (CPI-a Kurdish oppositional political party) issued a statement denying all these allegations and warned about intelligence institutions’ conspiring against detainees.

One of the detainees’ wife told HRANA: “Since the arrest, we have been worrying about torturing them to extract confessions. As of yet, we do not even know if they are alive or dead.”

 

 

Sepideh Gholian Faced New Charges in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Esmail Bakhshi, Sepideh Gholian

Imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was briefed on the charges of a new legal case following the complaint of the Bushehr General Directorate of Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was faced with the charges of “spreading falsehood, blasphemy, insulting and slandering government officials.”

His brother wrote on social media that prison officials have denied Gholian access to phone calls since November 19.

On November 18, 2018, Sepideh Gholian was arrested along with at least 19 others, including members of the Assembly of Representatives of Haft-Tappeh workers, and several workers’ activists by security police in Shush city. She was released on bail on December 18, 2018.

After broadcasting her forced confession as well as some other workers’ activists, including Esmail Bakhshi on state TV, they announced that the “confessions” were extracted under duress. Soon after this announcement, the security police arrested them.

On October 26, 2019, Gholian was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. On December 14, 2019, she was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Tehran Appellate Court.
On June 21, 2020, Gholian began serving her prison term in Evin prison. On March 10, 2021, she was exiled to Bushehr Prison, where she was held until she was granted leave.

On September 10 as a protest against her imprisonment in exile and away from her city. Three days later, she was hospitalised due to her hunger strike.

 

 

 

Golrokh Iraee Still in Detention after 52 Days

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News, Prisoners
golrokh iraee, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Former political prisoner Golrokh Iraee is still in detention in poor conditions in the quarantine section of Qarchak Prison. A while ago, she was briefed on her charges.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Golrokh Iraee is still detained, awaiting further legal proceedings after 52 days.

Recently, she has been notified about the charges of “assembly and collusion” and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to an informed source, Iraee is currently held in an ill-equipped, overcrowded ward in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

On September 26, 2022,  security forces arrested Iraee violently at her house in Tehran.

 

 

Iran Protests: Five Protestors Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News, Prisoners
iran protests, Mohammad Borooghani, Mohammad Ghobadlu

According to the judiciary’s statements, since the beginning of nationwide protests, five people arrested at protests have been sentenced to death on the charges of “enmity against God” and “spreading corruption on earth.” Moreover, several other citizens have faced the same charges, which can result in a death sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan Online, Judiciary media centre, five protestors have been sentenced to death.

Although the judicial officials did not disclose these individuals’ identities, based on previous reports obtained about ongoing legal cases in Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, two of these five people are likely Mohammad Borooghani and Mohammad Ghobadlu.

The judicial authorities claimed that one of these individuals ran over a police/security agent in a car leading to his death, and the second injured a police agent. The third detainee has been accused of “closing the roads, creating terror and damaging public property.”
 
At least nine other individuals have faced the same charges in Alborz and Tehran Provinces.

 

 

Nationwide Protests: 276 People Indicted in Markazi Province

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News, Prisoners
Markazi Province, nationwide protests

The Chief Justice of Markazi Province announced the indictment against 276 people arrested during the protests in this province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in Markazi Province, 276 people have been indicted for participating in protests.

This Chief Justice claimed that 40 individuals were identified as leaders of the protests. A hundred minors or young arrestees were released without pressing any charges after signing a commitment letter.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, over 15000 people have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

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Eight Former Political Prisoner Acquitted of Charges

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News, Prisoners

The Tehran Court of Appeals acquitted eight former political prisoners of the charges they faced in prison. These individuals include Alireza Farshi, Shapour Ehsanirad, Akbar Faraji, Shahab Soltanian, Esmail Gerami, Akbar Bagheri, Pouya Ghobadi Bistooni and Davoud Abdollahi.

According to this verdict issued on November 7, all defendants are acquitted of the charge of “fight and assault” and “disturbing prison order.” Initially, each had been sentenced to 11 months and 15 days in prison and 50 lashes.

In violation of the prison laws, these political prisoners were housed in the ward of prisoners of violent crimes in the Great Tehran Penitentiary. As a result, on October 8, 2021, a quarrel occurred between these political prisoners and their fellow inmates.

Student Activist Leila Hosseinzadeh’s Detention Extended

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Hosseinzadeh, Leila Hosseinzadeh, Shiraz, Tehran

Recently, the Shiraz Revolutionary Court extended Leila Hosseinzadeh’s pre-trial detention. On August 20, 2022, Hosseinzadeh was arrested in front of her house in Tehran and then jailed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz. She has been denied adequate medical treatment despite suffering from an autoimmune disease.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, student activist Leila Hosseinzadeh’s detention has been extended.

Abolfazl Hosseinzadeh expressed his concerns about his sister’s health condition on social media: “my sister’s disease causes eye issues. She has been suffering from blurred vision for about two weeks. On November 1, the prison infirmary’s physician asked for dispatching her for treatment, which has not yet been approved.”

Hosseinzadeh faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions.

1200 People Arrested in Nationwide Protests Held in Harsh Conditions in Great Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Prisoners
great tehran penitentiary, Iran protests 2022

Hundreds of people arrested in the nationwide protest crackdown have been transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. The prison is already overcrowded, and the inmates are deprived of healthy drinking water, proper food and air conditioning. They are also denied medical care and co-housed with prisoners of violent crimes.

Currently, 1200 People arrested in nationwide protests are jailed in Great Tehran Penitentiary. Many of them injured by pellet guns are denied medical treatment.

A family member of one of the detainees told HRANA that the prison infirmary is ill-equipped and the injured prisoners receive only mild tranquilizers such as low doses of clonazepam. According to this source, many of the arrestees are between 18 and 24.

Moreover, according to reports obtained by HRANA, last Saturday, October 22, several detainees were beaten by prison guards. Also, they have shaved the prisoners’ heads punitively.

 

 

Abbas Deris Sentenced to Death

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abbas Deris, Freshteh Tabanian, Mohsen Deris, November Protests

The revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Abbas Deris to death. Abbas Deris was arrested during the November protests in 2019. His brother and codefendant Mohsen Deris was acquitted of the charges.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Abbas Deris was sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh).

Confirming this news on social media, his lawyer, Freshteh Tabanian commented, “We will bring an appeal to the Supreme Court hoping the sentence will be overturned.”

In November 2019, an increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across the country. The spokesperson of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Seyed Hossein Taghavi, announced that 7000 people were arrested during these protests. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by the security apparatus.

Young Man Dies Suspiciously in Ahvaz Intelligence Office

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Ali Bani-Asad, HRANA

Recently, a 20-year-old man arrested allegedly for possessing a prohibited weapon, died suspiciously in a detention facility at the disposal of the intelligence ministry.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 20-year-old Ali Bani-Asad, a resident of Ahvaz, died in a detention facility in Ahvaz.

An informed source close to Bani-Asad’s family told HRANA that intelligence agents arrested him last week on suspicion of holding a prohibited weapon. A few days later, someone from the Revolutionary Court called his family to say that their son had lost his life and asked them to get his body.

“Forensic medicine has reported kidney failure as the cause of death. We know, however, that he did not have an underlying disease,” the source added.

This source asserted that Bani-Asad has never been involved in any political activities and did not participate in recent protests.