Category: Prisoners

Life Imprisonment and Death Sentence Against Two Brothers Without Any Proper Due Process

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Abbas Daris, death penality in iran, Death Penalty, IRIB, Karim Dahimi, lack of due process, life in prison, Mohsen Daris, NOPO, reza sayyadi

In a blatant violation of due process, prison officials verbally informed Abbas Daris’s family that he has been sentenced to death without providing a letter of conviction or any other written documents.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Daris’s family was informed of his sentencing about four months ago. 

Arrested during the November 2019 Protests, Daris is currently held in Mahshahr Prison. He was indicted alongside his brother Mohsen Daris on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh)”, “disturbing the public order” and “murdering a Counter-Terrorism Special Forces agent (NOPO)”. Mohsen Daris was sentenced to life in prison on charges of “collaborating to murder the NOPO agent”.

Karim Dahimi, a political and human rights activist, told HRANA that according to a report by the second crime scene analyst, “NOPO agent Reza Sayyadi was shot dead from behind on November 18, 2019, and therefore not from the front, where the protesters were standing. Moreover, Daris’s family has been told that they can compensate the victim’s family by paying blood money (Diya). This stands at odds with the charge of “enmity against God”, which indicates that the case does not have any plaintiff. This unorthodox request implies that they know that he is innocent”.

“Everything proceeded informally and verbally. They didn’t provide a single written statement regarding his conviction,” an informed source told HRANA. “The problem is that in this province, even verbal statements from the court and prison officials can be true and reliable. That the judiciary officials are not complying with legal routines and cooperating with his family and lawyer increases our concerns”.

Abbas Drais is 48 years old and the father of two children, ages 12 and 14. Reportedly, his wife died from a stroke after receiving the shocking news of his death sentence. His children are currently living with their grandmother.

In January 2020, the regime’s TV channel, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported the murder of the NOPO agent. Considering the previous cooperation of IRIB with security forces in extracting confessions under torture, it is likely that both brothers have been subjected to torture-tainted confessions.

In November of 2019, an unprecedented 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 of human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by regime forces.

Meysam Kazemi Arrested and Transferred to Bebahan Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners

On Saturday, December 4, 2021, Meysam Kazemi was arrested and transferred to Behbahan Prison after appearing at Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the resident of Behbahan City was indicted with the charge of “circulating media about those arrested in relations to Behbahan’s unrest on July 16, 2020”.

Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Court is headed by Judge Kazem Tayyeb. Contrary to claims by judiciary officials in the summons, Kasemi’s lawyer was not allowed in court. At the end of the court session, he was detained and transferred to Behbahan Prison. 

On July 26, 2020, hundreds of Behbahan’s citizens gathered at Bank-Melli Square to protest against “poor economic conditions” and “death sentences against those who were arrested during the protest of November 2019”. Many citizens were arrested for their participation in the protests, both during the events and in the period following.

During the November 2019 protest, security forces in Behbahan City used live ammunition against protestors, leading to the death of several protestors including Mehrdad Dashinia, Mahmood Dashtinia, Farzad Ansarifar, Mohammad-Hossein Ghanavati and Mohammad Hashamdar.

 

Report on the Latest Condition of Afkari Brothers in Adel-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz, ebrat ward, Habib Afkari, Navid Afkari, Prisoner abuse, saeed Afkari, Vahid Afkari, Vahid and Habib Afkari

Political prisoners Vahid and Habib Afkari have been held in the “Ebrat” ward in Adel-Abad Prison, Shiraz City, for about 15 months. This notorious ward is used mostly for punishing inmates or to house inmates on death row. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the brothers have been denied a phone call and access to adequate medical treatment.

Vahid and Habib Afkari are brothers of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari, who was executed on September 12, 2020 in Adel-Abad Prison despite serious ambiguities in his case and worldwide outcry to halt the execution.

Navid Afkari and Vahid Afkari were arrested in September 2018, and Habib Afkari was arrested in December 2018. The arrests were in connection to nationwide protests in August 2018. The brothers were repeatedly beaten and tortured during interrogations.

In August 2020, Shiraz’s Revolutionary and Criminal Court sentenced Navid Afkari to execution, six years imprisonment and 74 lashes. The court sentenced Vahid Afkari to 54 years, six months in prison and 74 lashes, and Habib Afkari to 27 years and three months imprisonment and 74 lashes.

Their brother, Saeed Afkari, stated on social media that the legal due process to address the torture of their brothers has gone nowhere. In May of this year, a court session was held to address the Afakri’s complaint that they have been beaten, tortured, held for long-term in a solitary confinement cell, and threatened to death by two high-ranking officials. According to Saeed Afakri, his brother Vahid Afkari was not allowed to have access to documents during the court session.

Branch 38 of the Supreme Court of Iran rejected their request for a retrial. Saeed Dehghan, the Afakri brother’s lawyer at that time, wrote that, “even if the judge cared to take a short look at the documents, he would realize that with 24 contradictions and three false statements, there were substantial reasons for retrial”.

Hirad Pirbodaghi Still In Detention After 25 Days

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News, Prisoners
Asal Mohammadi, bail, Evin Prison, Hirad Pirbodaghi, imprisoned labor activists, solitary confinement, workers rights activist

After 25 days, workers’ rights activist Hirad Pirbodaghi is still detained and awaiting legal proceedings in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Pirbodaghi confirmed during a phone call with his family that interrogations have finished and he is waiting for bail to be assigned so that he may be released. The Evin Prison court has refused to set bail despite multiple requests from his family.

“In these increasingly cold days, he has been given just one set prison uniform which he has to wash and wear while it is still wet. Moreover, they don’t allow him to purchase anything from the prison store”, an informed source told HRANA.

On November 6, Pirbodaghi was arrested violently by security forces alongside Asal Mohammadi. Their houses were searched during the arrest. He was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence.

Pirbodaghi was indicted on the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” on November 7.

Mohammadi was released on bond from Evin Prison on November 22. The reason for his arrest is still unknown at the time of writing.

The day before their arrests, Pirbodaghi and Mohammadi, accompanied by seven other activists, had filed a complaint in a judicial office against the use of solitary confinement as a torture method. Mohammadi and Pirbodaghi have previously faced other arrests and convictions for their non-violent activism and worker’s rights advocacy.

Amir Bayazidi Azar and Ghasem Azizian Summoned and Sent to Prison to Endure Their Sentences

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Amir Bayazidi Azar, Ghasem Azizian, Mahabad City, Mahabad Prison

Amir Bayazidi Azar and Ghasem Azizian, both of Mahabad City, were summoned to Mahabad Prison this past week to serve their respective sentences. Azar left on Saturday to begin a three month sentence, while Azizan left Monday to serve a 28 month sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, both men had previously been tried and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, and both verdicts were upheld on appeal.

Azar was arrested by security forces on January 16, 2021. After being held for three days in the detention centre of the Ministry of Intelligence, he was relocated to Mahabad prison. On February 7, 2021, he was released on bail. Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime”.

Similarly, Azizian was arrested by security forces on May 21, 2021. After interrogation, he was transferred to Mahabad prison. On July 19, 2021, he was released on bail. Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 28 months in prison on charges of “membership in an opposing political party”.

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Nosrat Beheshti Released on Bail From Vakilabad Prison

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News, Prisoners, Women
Hunger Strike, Mashad, Nosrat Beheshti, Vakilabad prison, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

Civil activist and retired educator Nosrat Beheshti was released from Vakilabad Prison on bail of 1 billion tomans (237,955 USD). Her release is temporary, extending from Tuesday, November 30 until the end of legal proceedings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Beheshti has been in detention since her August 4 arrest. She was tried by Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Mansourim, on the charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security”. She was sentenced to 5 years in prison on November 14.

On October 24, Beheshti began a hunger strike to protest prison officials’ refusal to send her to an outside hospital to treat her kidney pain. The strike lasted four days, and was resolved when she was dispatched to a hospital for treatment.

She has previously faced arrests due to her civil activities.

Shakila Monfared Denied Access to Medical Treatment in Qarchak Prison

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News, Prisoners, Women
Arsham Rezaei, Iman Afshari, medical neglect, medical negligence, Mohammad Abolhassani, Monfared, ORGC, Qarchak Prison, Shakila Monfared, Tehran, Varamin

Political prisoner Shakila Monfared, who suffers from gastrointestinal disease and severe stomach pain, has been denied access to adequate medical treatment in Qarchak Prison in Varamin City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, prison officials have barred her dispatch to a hospital outside the prison as well as leave on furlough for medical treatment.

“For the fifth time, her request for furlough has been rejected,” an informed source told HRANA. “They mentioned a report from the interrogator and judiciary officers on her interview with one of the media as the reason for this rejection. This claim stands at odd with the fact that she never had any interview and the interrogator refuses to provide any proof regarding this claim.”

On August 31, 2020, security forces arrested Monfared while she was leaving her home. They transferred her to one of the detention centers at disposal of IRGC in Tehran. Reportedly, they did not have a warrant for this arrest.

On September 9, of last year she was relocated to the quarantine section of the women ward of Evin Prison. On September 14, she was released on a bail of 400 million tomans until the end of legal proceedings.

In January of this year, the joint court trial of Shakila Monfared, Arsham Rezaei, and Mohammad Abolhassani was held in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. 27-year-old Monfared was sentenced to 6 years in prison and 4 months of probation work in the Agricultural Jihad on charges of “propaganda activities against the system” and “insulting the sanctities of Islam”.

Monfared was granted furlough on August 23 of this year and returned to jail on September 7.

Vahedian Shahroudi Still in Detention After 84 Days Despite Poor Health Condition

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Ministry of Intelligence, Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, Rezvanshahr, Rezvanshahr County, Shahroudi, Vahedian, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

After 84 days, writer, educator and civil activist Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi is still in a Ministry of Intelligence detention center in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Shahroudi suffers from a severe infection in the gums and teeth but has been deprived of adequate medical treatment throughout his detention.

In early November of this year, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. This verdict has been finalized following his refusal to request an appeal.

Shahroudi’s daughter Hengameh Vahedian expressed her deep concern about her father’s health condition in a social media post.

“Two weeks ago, In the last visitation, he had severe infection in the gums, loosen teeth, and acute pain,” Hengameh wrote. “He needs urgent treatment before his disease worsen. Until now, however, he has not received any treatment.”

Earlier, HRANA reported about his poor health condition in a solitary confinement cell in a Detention Center at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence.

On September 1 of this year, intelligence agents arrested Vahedian in Rezvanshahr County. Two days later, in a phone call to his family, he informed them about the opening of a new case  against him on a charge of “acting against national security.” Meanwhile, Vahedian’s daughter’s home in Mashhad was searched by security forces and some personal belongings were confiscated.

Vahedian has previously been arrested and convicted for his writings and civil activities. In one case, he was arrested in Mashhad in October 2018 and later charged by Branch 903 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad with “acting against national security”, and “attempting to overthrow the regime”. He was released on bail of 350 million tomans from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad in December 2018.

Shortly after his interrogation, in August 2019, Vahedian was again arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was one of the 14 signatories of a letter of request for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. Mr Vahedian was released on bail from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad in July 2020.

Vahedian is an author of several books including “The Return of Genghis Khan” published by Khatam Publishing in Mashhad.

Narges Mohammadi Still in Solitary Confinement One Week After Arrest

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News, Prisoners, Women
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Evin, Evin Prison, Ghods, Karaj, Moghaddas, Mohammadi, Narges Mohammadi, Taghi Rahmani, Tehran, travel ban, ward 209, zanjan, Zanjan Prison

Civil activist and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Center Narges Mohammadi is still in detention in Ward 209 of Evin Prison a week after her arrest.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammadi was arrested on November 16, during a ceremony honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar who was killed by security forces in Karaj during the November 2019 protests.

According to her husband, Taghi Rahmani, yesterday she was sent to Moghaddas Court to be notified of the charges against her, and then sent back to  solitary confinement.

This year, Branch 1177 of the Criminal Court in the Ghods Judicial Complex in Tehran sentenced Narges Mohammadi to 30 months in prison and 80 lashes, as well as fines. She had been charged with “propaganda against the regime through the issuance of a statement against the death penalty”, “sit-down strike at prison office”, “property destruction by breaking glass” and “libel and assault”.

According to a report published by HRANA, in an open statement, Narges Mohammadi stated of these charges that she will not, “under any circumstances”, attend any court hearing, and will refuse to accept any verdict from the judiciary courts.

From May 5, 2015, until October of last year, Narges Mohammadi was imprisoned.

In December 2019, Mohammadi and seven other political prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison announced in a letter that they would go on a sit-down strike in support of bereaved families who lost loved ones in November 2019 national protests. Evin Prison officials threatened to deport her and others who participated in the strike to prisons known for their harsher conditions. Subsequently, she was punitively transferred from Evin Prison to Zanjan Prison in December 2019.

Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code and the charges against her, the severest punishment of 10 years was enforceable, but after five years and six months in prison, Narges Mohammadi was finally released from Zanjan Prison. Mohammadi has since been denied a passport and barred from leaving the country to visit her husband and children even though her previous conviction did not mention a supplementary ban on international travel.

 

Yosuf Pirjani and Reza Moghaddasi Sentenced to Three Months Each in Prison

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Judge Erfani, Khoy, Khoy County, Khuzestan, Khuzestan protests, Revolutionary Court of Khoy, Reza Moghaddasi, Tabriz, Yosuf Pirjani

Recently, the Revolutionary Court of Khoy sentenced Yosuf Pirjani and Reza Moghaddasi, both residents of Khoy County, to three months imprisonment each.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Pirjani and Moghaddasi were arrested by security forces on July 24 of this year, and then released on bail on August 6.

On July 24, 2021, in Tabriz hundreds of people demonstrated in support of the Khuzestan Protests against water shortages and mismanagement. During these protests, dozens were arrested.

On November 23, 2021, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Khoy, headed by Judge Erfani, issued the verdict of three months’ imprisonment for Pirjani and Moghaddasi on charges of “propaganda against the regime”.