Category: Prisoners

Abbas Akhoundi Sentenced to 60 Lashes and 3 Months Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abbas Akhoondi, Akhoondi, cruel punishment, humiliating punishment, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Seyed Mehdi Hashemi, Tasnim

The Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced Abbas Akhoondi, former Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, to 60 lashes and three months suspended imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim news agency, Branch 78 of the Tehran Court of Appeals charged Akhoondi with “publishing lies”. The sentence was issued following the complaints from Seyed Mehdi Hashemi against the former Minister.

Iran is one of the few countries that has continued to use humiliating punishments despite the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights’ explicit prohibition of the use of inhumane and degrading punishments, including the death penalty and flogging.

Atena Daemi on a Hunger Strike in Lakan Prison in Rasht in Gilan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Atena Daemi, Evin, Evin Prison, Gilan province, Hunger Strike, hunger strikes, irgc, Lakan, Lakan prison, Rasht, Supreme Court, Tehran

On August 12, civil activist Atena Daemi went on a hunger strike in Lakan prison in Rasht in protest of repeated telephone cuts and prison mismanagement.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, it is said that the head of the prison has not been seen in the prison for about 4 weeks, and his absence has slowed down the release process of many prisoners.

According to an informed source, the frequent interruption of the prison phone raised concerns among Atena’s family members, and her parents had to travel to the Lakan Prison to visit Atena while they were infected with the coronavirus to confirm her well being.

Atena (Fatemeh) Daemi was sentenced to 14 years in prison on May 15, 2015, by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, on charges of conspiracy against national security, propaganda against the regime, and insulting the leadership. After the appeal and application of Article 134, 5 years of prison were enforceable to her.

In 2018, while enduring her sentence in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, she and Golrokh Ebrahimi faced a new case, they were sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to an additional 2 years and 1 month in prison after applying Article 134.

In July 2020, Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Mohammad Reza Amouzad, sentenced Ms. Daemi to two years in prison and 74 lashes for a new lawsuit filed against her while imprisoned. The case was opened by the complaint of the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC against Ms. Daemi.

In March 2021, the Supreme Court overturned a request for a retrial of Atena’s lawyers. Atena Daemi and her family members have also faced numerous other security and judicial cases and pressures. In March 2021, Atena was transferred in handcuffs and shackles from Evin Prison to Lakan Prison in Rasht in Gilan Province.

This is not the young activist’s first hunger strike. Atena Daemi once went on a hunger strike in 2015, which led to health problems and removal of her gallbladder. Her previous hunger strike experience has increased her family’s concern.

Seven Political Activists Sentenced to Total of 53 Years in Prison

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Prisoners
Bahareh Soleimani, Elham Samimi, Mehran Raouf, Mohammad Hajinia, Nafiseh Malekijoo, Nahid Taghavi, Nazanin Mohammadnejad, Somayeh Kargar

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political activists Nahid Taghavi, Mehran Raouf, Somayeh Kargar, Bahareh Soleimani, and Nazanin Mohammadnejad were sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison.

The other two defendants of the case, Nafiseh Malekijoo, and Mohammad Hajinia, were also sentenced in absentia. Ms. Malekijoo was sentenced to 6 years and nine months, and Mr. Hajiniya was sentenced to 8 years and eight months imprisonment.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, has sentenced the seven defendants to a total of 53 years and five months in prison on charges of “participating and administrating the Communist Party of Iran with the intention to disrupt security”, and “propaganda activities against the regime”.

Nafiseh Malekijoo and Mohammad Hajinia are currently living abroad. As of this writing, the status of the case of Elham Samimi, the eighth defendant of the case, is unknown.

The first session of the court hearing for these activists was held on April 28, and the second session was held on June 13.

Saba Kord Afshari Sent on 15 Day Leave from Qarchak Prison in Varamin

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Iman Afshari, Kord Afshari, Qarchak, Qarchak Prison, Raheleh Ahmadi, Saba Kord-Afshari, Varamin

Yesterday, imprisoned civil activist Saba Kord Afshari was sent on a 15-day leave from Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, yesterday, August 11, the activist was allowed medical leave after receiving a positive COVID test.

Saba Kord Afshari is a civil activist and prominent critic of the compulsory hijab in Iran. On September 5, 2019, Afshari  was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by judge Iman Afshari, to 15 years imprisonment for “promoting corruption and obscenity through appearing without a headscarf in public”,  and 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime” and 7 years and 6 months in prison for “assembly and collusion with an intent to commit a crime against national security” to a total of 24 years in prison along with other social deprivations, from which, after applying Article 134 and adjustment of the sentences, the most severe punishment of 7 years and 6 months in prison is enforceable to her.

On May 8 of this year, 22-year-old Kord Afshari began what would be a 10 day hunger strike to protest the increasing pressure on her family and family of fellow political prisoners, and to demand the release of her mother, Raheleh Ahmadi. Upon finishing her strike, the young activist said, in a statement, “I am fully aware that human lives are of no value to the Islamic Republic, so I am ending my hunger strike, but I am still seeking to fulfill my demands.”

Despite the widespread prevalence of COVID-19 within Iran’s prison system, inmates are frequently deprived of adequate and timely medical treatment.

Reza Asgharian Arrested by Security Forces in Sarab in East Azerbaijan Province

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
censorship, Reza Asgharian Sardhaei, Sarab, Sardhaei

Reza Asgharian Sardhaei, a native of Sarab, was recently detained by security forces and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Sardhaei is said to have been arrested for publishing information on an Instagram page.

The Sarab News also reported the arrest of the admins of an Instagram page in the city of Sarab, for publishing anti-religious and anti-revolutionary content.

As of this writing, no information is available on the charges against him or where he is being held.

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Two Death Sentences Issued in Tehran

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News, Prisoners
Death Penalty, Death row, Death sentence, Death sentence issued, First Criminal Court of Tehran Province, Tehran

Two defendants were sentenced to death for separate murder charges by the Tenth Branch of the First Criminal Court of Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Shargh newspaper, a man named Reza was sentenced to death by the Tehran Criminal Court for a murder committed in 2019.

According to Rokna news, Yashar was sentenced to death by the Tehran Criminal Court for murder, also committed in 2019.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

Azerbaijani Turk Activists Mohammad Kazemi and Reza Shahrivar Transferred to Tabriz Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Prisoners
Azerbaijani Turk, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Mohammad Kazemi, Reza Shahrivar, Tabriz Prison

Azerbaijani Turk activists Mohammad Kazemi and Reza Shahrivar announced their transfer to Tabriz Prison during a telephone call with their families on Tuesday, August 10th.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammad Kazemi and Reza Shahrivar were arrested on July 27, 2021 by Ministry of Intelligence agents and were transferred to the detention center of this security institution in Tabriz.

These citizens were arrested on July 27, 2021 by Ministry of Intelligence agents and transferred to the detention center of this security institution in Tabriz. They have been living in the quarantine ward of Tabriz Prison since yesterday.

As of this writing, the reasons for the arrests and the charges against these citizens are unknown.

Two Inmates Executed in Kerman Prison on Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, Prisoners
Citizen executions, Citizens executed, Ebrahim ghanbarzehi, Kerman, Kerman prison, Nabi Noti Zehi, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Zahedan

Two prisoners who were previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in Kerman Prison yesterday morning, Monday, August 9.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting The Baloch Activists Campaign, the identities of the prisoners are Nabi Noti Zehi and Ebrahim Ghanbarzehi from Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

The execution of these prisoners has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.

At Least 4 Inmates Executed in Birjand Prison and Isfahan Prison

None of these executions have been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.
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Executions, News, Prisoners
Birjand, Birjand Prison, Isfahan, Isfahan Prison, Majid, Majid Golech Bacheh, Mehrollah Sanjarani, Torbat-e-Jam, Zabihollah Hormozi, Zahedan

At dawn on Sunday, August 8, two inmates were executed in Birjand Prison and two other inmates were executed in Isfahan Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rasank news, all 4 prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

The two inmates executed in Birjand Prison have been identified as Zabihollah Hormozi, known as Mehrollah Sanjarani, from Zahedan, and Majid Goleh Bacheh from Torbat-e- Jam.

The two prisoners executed in Isfahan Prison are Azam Mohammad Hosseini (Kiazehi) and Seyed Esmail Kord Tamini, both from Zahedan.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed. One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

The execution of these 4 prisoners has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.

Political Prisoners Salahoddin Sharifzadeh and Hassan Beit Abdollah being Denied Medical Care in Khalkhal Prison

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Environment, Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Coronavirus, COVID, COVID19, Hassan Beit Abdollah, Khalkhal Prison, Salahoddin Sharifzadeh, Urmia, Urmia Intelligence Detention Center

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoners Salahoddin Sharifzadeh and Hassan Beit Abdollah are being denied medical treatment by authorities in Khalkhal Prison despite suffering from COVID-19.

Lack of sanitation facilities in many prisons in the country has led to the rampant spread of Coronavirus within many Iranian prisons.

Salahoddin Sharifzadeh, a native of Buchan, was arrested by security forces in July 2018 on charges of “collaborating with opposition parties” and was transferred to the Urmia Intelligence Detention Center. He was finally sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

Hassan Beit Abdollah, a resident of Shush, was arrested by intelligence agents in October 2015, and eventually sentenced by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to 25 years in prison. These prisoners were transferred to Khalkhal Prison shortly after their detention.