Category: Prisoners

Reza Khandan Mahabadi Returned to Evin Prison after Furlough

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News, Prisoners
Iranian Writers Association, Reza Khandan Mahabadi

On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Reza Khandan Mahabadi, prisoner of conscience, writer and member of the Iranian Writers Association (IWA) returned to prison after a furlough. On December 21, 2021, following the worsening of his Covid-19 symptoms, Khandan was hospitalized and after four days, he was granted a medical furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, Reza Khandan Mahabadi went back to Evin prison at the end of his furlough.

On December 21, Reza Khandan Mahabadi was dispatched from Evin Prison to a hospital outside the prison after his COVID-19 symptoms became worse. On December 25, 2021, through the formal request of his lawyer and family, he was granted a medical furlough.

Earlier, he and another IWA’s member, Baktash Abtin, tested positive for Covid-19. On January 8, Baktash Abtin died at the hospital due to his worsening conditions and the prison’s medical negligence.

Mahabadi was sentenced on May 15, 2019, by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghayeseh. His sentence included one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and five years on the charge of “assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against national security”. On September 26, 2020, he was arrested and sent to Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

Mahabadi’s career as a writer kicked off in 1978 with the publication of his book “Local Children”. Some of his publications include “Nothing Comes Out of the Sack, ExceptWhat Was In It”, a seven-volume story collection called “My Favorite Stories”, a collection of research titled “Razi War”, and the 19-volume fiction collection “Encyclopedia of Iranian Legends and Fairy Tales” (co-author Ali Ashraf Darvishian).

Political Prisoner at Urmia Prison Mehdi Sane-Farshi Goes on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Mehdi Sane Farshi, Urmia prison

On Monday, April 4, 2022, political prisoner Mehdi Sane-Farshi went on hunger strike in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mehdi Sane-Farshi, imprisoned in Urmia prison, went on hunger strike in protest against increasing pressure on political prisoners and confiscating his personal belongings in prison.

On August 17, 2020, Mehdi Saneh-Farshi who had been back from Turkey to visit his mother was arrested by Intelligence agents and transferred to a detention centre under the Ministry of Intelligence’s control. On September 11, 2020, he was transferred to Urmia Prison after the interrogation ended.

On November 12, 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced Sane-Farshito to 5 years and 6 months in prison on the charges of “collaboration with one of anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.” This verdict was upheld by Branch 1 of the Court of Appeals of West Azerbaijan Province.

Mehdi Saneh-Farshi, age 44, is currently held in Urmia prison in the political prisoners’ ward.

Political Prisoners of Urmia Prison Shaker Behrouz and Nayeb Askari Go on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Nayeb Askari, Shaker Behrouz

On Thursday, March 31, two political prisoners Shaker Behrouz and Nayeb Askari went on hunger strike in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, On Thursday, March 31, political prisoner Shaker Behrouz went on hunger strike to protest his relocation to Ward 2 of Urmia Prison where the violent crime offenders were held. Another political prisoner of Urmia prison Nayeb Askari also went on hunger strike after he was sent to the quarantine section.

Earlier, on August 26, 2021, despite the prison doctor’s recommendation for hospitalization, prison officials refused to send Nayeb Askari to a hospital outside the prison. In protest, he went on hunger strike, which ended after a few days.

Askari was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Urmia in April and transferred to IRGC detention centres. He was eventually transferred from the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center to the city prison in June, after completing the interrogation process. Askari has been charged with “collaborating with an opposition party”.

On July 12, 2021, a new case was opened against him following the complaint of the head of Urmia Prison. For this case, he was sentenced to three months more imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “Disrupting prison order”.

On Tuesday, October 5, 2021, political prisoner Shaker Behrouz was sentenced to death despite a strong alibi pointing to his innocence.

The indictment alleges that Behrouz murdered a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to an informed source, security agents threatened the victim’s family, who was an IRGC member, to cut their allowance from the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, if they refused to accuse Behrouz.

Another informed source close to the victim’s family also said that the family does not believe he is guilty and ready to testify to his innocence.

Twelve eye-witnesses signed a statement expressing their readiness to testify that Mr. Behrouz was in his shop when the crime was committed. Despite all the above, the court convicted the defendant without the presence of the family as accusers and hearing of eye-witnesses.

 

Political Prisoner Kasra Bani-Amerian Denied Adequate Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Kasra Bani-Amerian

Political Prisoner Kasra Bani–Amerian is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He suffers from an immune-system disease for which he needs medicine uninterruptedly to maintain a normal level of immunity. Despite the vital need, Evin Prison officials do not provide access to the medicine that he needs.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Kasra Bani–Amerian was denied adequate medical care and medicine in Evin Prison.

According to an informed source, earlier, he contracted leukemia (blood cancer) for which he had been under chemotherapy. Currently, he still suffers from the symptoms of cancer. He also needs orthopaedics and physiotherapy for the damage to his ankles. Nonetheless, the prison officials denied him the special medical shoes sent by his family.

In January of 2018, the intelligence agents arrested Mr. Bani-Amerian along with Saeed Samimi and Saeed Asghari and detained them in Ward 209 of Evin prison. After a while, Bani-Amerian was released on bail amount of 500 million tomans until the end of the legal proceedings.

In 2019, Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to 5 years on the charge of “collaboration with anti-regime groups” and 5 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.” This verdict was upheld on appeal by Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code as well as the “Punishment Reduction Law”, two to six years imprisonment is enforceable for him.

On November 11, 2020, Bani–Amerian was arrested in Saqqez County and sent to Evin prison in Tehran for his sentencing.

Kasra Bani–Amerian, age 25, is an economics graduate student and a resident of Saqqez city in Kermanshah Province.

 

 

Political Prisoner Soheila Hejab Goes on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Correctional Center of Kermanshah, Gharchak prison, Hunger Strike, Soheila Hejab

In an open letter, political prisoner Soheila Hejab announced that she has gone on hunger strike following being beaten by prison guards and having the right to family visitation taken away. She is currently serving her sentence in the Correctional Center of Kermanshah.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Soheila Hejab went on hunger strike in the Correctional Center of Kermanshah.

In an open letter, Hejab mentioned the reasons for going on hunger strike. She said the fact that the prison officials did not allow her to go on furlough and receive medical care made her go on strike, “I have no choice but to go on hunger strike once again,” she wrote.

According to an informed source close to Ms. Hejab, on Monday, March 28, prison guards beat her and stopped her from visiting her family while they were waiting for her in the visiting room.

Hejab was arrested by security forces on June 1, 2019, and subsequently released from Evin Prison in Tehran on a bail of 3 billion tomans on March 14, 2020.

Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced her to 18 years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime”, “illegal assembly”, “incitement of public opinions to riot” and “organizing unlawful political groups”.

On May 23, 2020, the intelligence unit of the Revolutionary Guards arrested and transferred Ms. Hejab to Gharchak Prison in Varamin City to serve her sentence. She was then transferred to Sanandaj Prison and then, on January 7, to the Correctional Center of Kermanshah City.

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British-American National Morad Tahbaz on Eight Day of Hunger Strike   

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News, Prisoners
Morad Tahbaz

British-American national Morad Tahbaz who has been jailed for his activities as an environmentalist is still on a hunger strike after eight days. Earlier, his family was informed that he had been sent to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, March 27, 2022, after eight days, the detained British-American national is still on hunger strike.

Mr Tahbaz was released from Evin Prison on furlough on March 16, 2022. According to his family, the Iranian regime made a deal to allow him to go back to the U.K. along with Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori. Similarly, on March 16, 2022, British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss was optimistic that “Morad Tahbaz has also been released from prison on furlough, as a result of tenacious and creative British diplomacy.” Nonetheless, two days later, while Mr. Tahbaz was on furlough, the security forces arrested and sent him back to Evin prison.

Morad Tahbaz has been in prison since 2018. Along with seven other defendants of a legal case known as the case of environmentalists, he was convicted by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court. The court sentenced Morad Tahbaz and Niloofar Bayani each to 10 years in prison, Taher Ghadirian and Houman Jokar each to 8 years, Amir-Hossein Khaleghi, Sam Rajabi and Sepideh Kashani each to 6 years, and Aborlreza Koohpayeh to 4 years in prison. Morad Tahbaz was charged with “collaboration and receiving money from the US government.”

 

The Latest Update on Political Prisoner Ahmad Yazdanipour’s Condition

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News, Prisoners
Ahmad Yazdanipour

Political Prisoner Ahmad Yazdanipour is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He has been in prison since February 2021. He suffers from Steroid-resistant asthma and for that reason, according to his doctor, he should not be kept in confined spaces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Political Prisoner Ahmad Yazdanipour is serving his sentence in Evin prison. This imprisonment endangers his health since he is suffering from steroid-resistant asthma.

An informed source told HRANA that “Mr. Ahmad Yazdanipour’s disease has worsened in recent years as his lungs are seriously damaged. According to his doctor, continuing his imprisonment can pose life-threatening risks for him.”

On February 21, 2020,  Ahmad Yazdanipour was arrested by IRGC’s intelligence agents in Tehran and transferred to Evin prison. One day after the arrest, intelligence agents raided and searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings such as books and manuscripts. They also arrested his daughter, Forouzan Yazdanipour, who is a graduate student at Tehran University. On March 18, 2020, she was released on bail of 500 million tomans from Evin Prison and later the charges were dropped.

On April 6, 2020, Ahmad Yazdanipour was released on bail of 500 million tomans as well. After a while, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to three years and nine months on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

On January 26, 2021, after the appearance at Evin’s Enforcement of Judgments Unit, he was arrested and sent to Evin for his sentencing.

Ahmad Yazdanipour, age about 63, was a political prisoner in the 1980s. He lost his job due to the pressures from the Ministry of Intelligence for his non-violent civil activities. In recent years, he was researching the Quran and Iran’s history.

 

Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni Denied Phone Calls in Prison As a Punishment for Celebrating Nowruz

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News, Prisoners

Evin prison officials denied imprisoned writer and journalist Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni the right to make telephone calls in prison as he was serving time for celebrating Nowruz. This punitive measure was taken in violation of prison rules, which could be referred to the Prison Disciplinary Council.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Evin prison officials denied Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni of making telephone calls in violation of prison rules and as a punishment for celebrating Nowruz.

According to an informed source, since last Tuesday, March 22, he was denied his rights on the pretext of participating in and making a speech at a Nowruz celebration held by the prisoners.

HRANA has been informed that Hamzeh Darvish, the Sunni prisoner in Lakan Prison, has also been denied the right to make phone calls.

Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni was arrested and interrogated after he was summoned to the Branch 2 of Evin’s prosecutor’s office on May 8, 2019. He was later temporarily released from Evin Prison on a bail amount of 300 million tomans.

Boroujeni’s trial was on July 28, 2019. According to the verdict ordered by the Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, which was presided over by judge Mohammad Moghiseh, Boroujeni was sentenced to five years imprisonment on a charge of “assembly and collusion with an intention to commit a crime against the national security”, one year imprisonment for the charge of “propaganda against the regime”,  and two years imprisonment on a charge of “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic”, adding up to a total of eight years. This sentence was later reduced to seven years after the charge of “propaganda against the regime” was dropped upon appeal.

Boroujeni has been conducting research on neoliberalism and the political economy of Iran and has written several articles on these subjects in recent years. His essay “Critique of Neoliberalism” was published by H&S Media Publishing Company in the UK. His other book, “Globalization and Inequality”, was published by Porsesh Publishing Company in 2011.

Death Sentence of Hossein Kheiri Commuted to Five Years Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Death sentence, Hossein Kheiri, moharebeh

Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced political prisoner Hossein Kheiri to five years in prison. He had been sentenced to death for “enmity against God (Moharebeh), through destruction of public property with the intention to defy the regime.” Once the verdict was revoked by the Supreme Court of Iran in mid-January of this year, the case was handed over to Branch 29. Recently, Mr. Kheiri was relocated from Evin to Rajai Shahr Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the death sentence of Hossein Kheiri was commuted to five years imprisonment.

Seven other defendants of this case, Majid Kahrari, Fardin Asgari, Nima Heidari, Milad Karami, Mahmood Karami, and two others were sentenced to a total of 34 years and 6 months by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. The charges against them varied from “assembly and collusion to act against national security” to “enmity against God.”

Earlier, in reaction to the death penalty verdict against his client, attorney Babak Paknia stated that “there are many flaws in this case” and “the charge of Moharebeh does not fit the actions taken by my client.” He had expressed hope that the Supreme Court would reduce the verdict.

In 2020, along with seven other individuals, Hossein Kheiri, age 35, was arrested by security forces in Tehran.  

Iranian-Australian Citizen Shokrollah Jebeli Died in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Death in prison, dual nationals, Iranian-Australian citizen, Shokrollah Jebeli

Iranian-Australian citizen Shokrollah Jebeli died in prison. He had been imprisoned since February 2020 when following a complaint of the Ministry of Intelligence, a financial legal case was opened against him.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, March 20, 2022, Shokrollah Jebeli’s son announced on social media that his father has died in prison. 

On January 31, 2020, Shokrollah Jebeli was arrested due to financial accusations made by the Ministry of Intelligence.

Earlier, Amnesty International had warned about the consequences of denying adequate medical care, in light of his age and poor health, and asked for Jebeli’s immediate release.

This 82-year-old Iranian-Australian citizen suffered from kidney stones, sciatica and high blood pressure. His health had worsened since the arrest. In 2021, Jebeli was hospitalized due to a stroke, but he was sent back to prison without adequate medical care.

Reportedly, he had been sentenced to 4 years and 6 months for one count of financial-related charges. For the second count of the charges, he was still awaiting the verdict. He had been denied access to a lawyer in due process.