Category: Prisoners

Eight Year Prison Sentence Upheld for Baha’i Citizen and Women’s Motocross Champion Shahrzad Nazifi

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizen arrested, Baha'i citizens imprisoned, baha'i in iran, Baha'i women in Iran, Nazifi, Sentenced in absentia, Shahrzad Nazifi, Women's Motocross

After approving an appeal hearing, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran upheld an eight year prison sentence for Baha’i citizen and women’s motocross champion Shahrzad Nazifi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Nazifi was previously sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison, 4 hours of community service a day for 3 months, and a 2-year ban on leaving the country.

Nazifi was arrested on charges of “managing illegal groups and factions with the aim of disrupting the security of the country” and “bad motives and internal desire to destroy the religious system”.

Unofficial sources estimate that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

14 Economic Defendants Sentenced to a Total of 450 Lashes in Sistan and Baluchestan

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Prisoners
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Mehdi Shamsabadi, Shamsabadi, Sistan and Baluchestan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Zahedan

Zahedan Public Prosecutor and Revolutionary Council Mehdi Shamsabadi  announced the issuance of 450 lashes for 14 economic defendants in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting IRNA, Shamsabadi stated that this case is one of the most important economic crimes cases in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

The 14 defendants were sentenced to a total of 450 lashes, 184 years in prison, fines of Three billion and three hundred and two million Toman (about $132,000,00), and confiscation of property.

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.

Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali and Dorsa Dehghani Still in Detention in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

After 14 days, Baha’i citizens Dorsa Dehghani and Sina Kamali Sarvestani are still in detention in an unknown location in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the citizens were arrested separately on June 15 by IRGC intelligence agents.

A source close to their families said that Dehghani and Sarvestani have made a brief calls and spoken with their families but are being interrogated under psychological and physical pressure. The lack of accountability of the security agencies about their condition and whereabouts has caused increasing concern from their families.

Darsa Dehghani was treated for a medical problem before his detention, but he has not had access to his medications since being arrested.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Alireza Farshi Transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Loghman Hakim Hospital

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Ethnic Minorities, Prisoners
Ahmad Zargar, Alireza Farshi, Alireza Farshi Dizaj Yakan, Azerbaijani Turk activist, East Azerbaijan, Judge Babaei, Loghman, Loghman Hospital

On Tuesday, June 29th, Azerbaijani Turk activist Alireza Farshi Dizaj Yakan was finally transferred to a hospital after facing prolonged medical negligence in the Greater Tehran Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mr. Farshi, who was in the midst of a 2 year sentence in the Greater Tehran Prison, was sentenced last month to an additional four years and two months by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
Farshi has suffered from high blood sugar, an infection in his left eye, and numbness in his right hand. The lack of proper treatment of the prisoner’s diabetes has caused tremors in his body. He was eventually transferred to the endocrinology and metabolism department of Loghman Hakim Hospital for medical examinations and tests.
Alireza Farshi is from Marand City in East Azerbaijan. He has a master’s degree in computer engineering from Sharif University of Technology.
Mr. Farshi, while serving a two-year sentence in the Greater Tehran Prison, was recently sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to a total of over 4 more years. On February 27, Farshi’s interrogation session was held virtually in the Third Branch of Evin Court. He was informed of the meeting less than 12 hours before it was set to take place.
The verdicts issued in June of this year were upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Ahmad Zargar .
The Azerbaijani Turk activist suffered eye injuries during his time in prison and was sent on a three-day medical leave from Greater Tehran Prison on Saturday, May 7. But  despite the insistence of his ophthalmologist on the urgent need for eye surgery on this prisoner, prison officials refused to extend his leave.
The report does not specify Farshi’s current condition in Loghman Hakim Hospital.
 

Death Sentence Issued in Tehran

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Executions, Prisoners
Branch 11 of the First Criminal Court of Tehran Province, Citizen sentenced to death, Death sentence, Execution, First Criminal Court of Tehran Province, Tehran, Tehran Province

A defendant in Tehran was sentenced to death by Branch 11 of the First Criminal Court of Tehran Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna news, the man was sentenced on charges of rape and assault.

According to the report, in November 2020, a young woman named Melika went to the police with her husband and filed a rape case against a young man named Taha, who had previously been her neighbor.

After the case was heard in court and consulting, the judges sentenced the defendant to death based on the evidence found in the case.

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Political Prisoner Kamran Ghasemi Insulted and Beaten by Officers During Family Visitation in Urmia Prison

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Prisoners
Ghasemi, Kamran Ghasemi, Mistreatment of prisoners, Political Prisoners, Urmia, Urmia prison, West Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan Province

On June 26, political prisoner Kamran Ghasemi was beaten by prison officers after objecting to the inappropriate treatment of his family by the agents during their visitation in Urmia Prison in West Azerbaijan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human rights Activists, Kamran Ghasemi has spent the past two years in the detention facilities of security institutions and Urmia Prison. He was transferred from the youth to the political ward of Urmia Prison in May this year.

“Officers beat Mr. Ghasemi in front of his family, then kicked him out in a very inappropriate manner,” a source close to the family said. “After other political prisoners protested this incident, in response, the chief of prison transferred 15 inmates of violent crimes under his command to the door of the political prisoners and threatened that protesters will be dealt with, in case of any objection. Amir Sohrabi, the director of Urmia Prison, uses such methods to prevent political prisoners from protesting.”

In November of last year, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced Kamran Ghasemi to 10 years and 1 day in prison on charges of acting against national security by being a member of an opposition group.

At Least one Prisoner Executed in Zahedan Prison

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Executions, Prisoners
Abdolhamid Ghanbar Zehi, Citizen executions, citizen executions per-capita, Ghanbar Zehi, Sistan and Baluchestan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Zahedan Central Prison, Zahedan Prison

On June 26, Abdolhamid Ghanbar Zehi, son of Ebrahim, was executed in Zahedan Prison in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting RASANK news, Ghanbar Zehi was previously convicted on a charge of murder.

According to international organizations, Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per-capita. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) reported that between January 1st and December 20th 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 report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary. Human rights organizations call these “secret executions”.

Ghanbar Zehi’s execution has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources at the time of this writing.

Aram Fathi and Soraya Haghdoost Released on on Bail of 100 Million Tomans

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Prisoners
Aram Fathi, Citizen arrests, Citizen detentions, Citizens arrested, Citizens detained, City of Marivan, Marivan, Marivan city, Sanandaj, Sanandaj Prison, Soraya Haghdoost

Today, Monday, June 28, Aram Fathi and Soraya Haghdoost, two detained citizens from Marivan, were released on a bail of 100 million Tomans.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the two citizens were arrested by security forces on Thursday, June 17th. Ms. Haghdoost was transferred to Sanandaj Prison after her arrest, and Mr. Fathi was transferred to Marivan Prison.

Aram Fathi, a resident of Marivan with a history of arrests and convictions, was  arrested by security forces at his home arrest.

Soraya Haghdoost, also citizen of Marivan, was arrested by security forces on Thursday, June 17, and transferred to Sanandaj Prison.

As of this writing, no information is available on the charges against the citizens.

345 Students at the University of Tehran Sign Letter Protesting Expulsion of Kasra Nouri

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Students
Adelabad, Adelabad Prison, dERVISH, Gonabadi Dervish, Kasra Nour, Kasra Nouri, Majzooban Noor, Student Disciplinary Code, Tehran, University of Tehran

Today, June 28, 345 students at the University of Tehran published letters addressed to the president of the university stating that Kasra Nouri’s expulsion was illegal.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kasra Nouri, a Gonabadi Dervish currently serving out a sentence in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, was expelled from the University of Tehran for truancy.

“According to the executive order of the students’ disciplinary regulations, the University of Tehran has committed a completely illegal act in expelling the student’s optical fraction in addition to the elimination and police action,” the letter reads.

The full text of the letter follows:

 

Dear Dr. Nili,
President of the University of Tehran
Pursuant to Note 1 of Article 113 of the Executive Procedure of the Student Disciplinary Code, which explicitly states: The convict can continue his / her education and the university will assist the student in continuing his / her education as appropriate; If the term of the sentence is longer than the permitted period of study, the university will adapt the way of continuing education to the new educational situation. ”
Kasra Nouri has been imprisoned since February 2018, and it is practically impossible for him to go to university, and he should be dealt with under this note.
Therefore, we, the students of the University of Tehran, who are the signatories of this letter, strongly demand that the illegal expulsion of Kasra Nouri from the university be revoked immediately. ”

 

Kasra Nouri, a graduate student who had been pursuing a degree in human rights at the University of Tehran and was one of the webmasters of the website “Majzooban Noor” , was arrested during the Golestan 7 Incident at dawn on March 22, 2017, along with hundreds of other Gonabadi Dervishes, and transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Mr. Nouri was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge  Ahmadzadeh,  to 12 years in prison, 74 lashes, 2 years in exile to Babajani, a 2-year ban on leaving the country, and 2 year ban from of membership in groups and political parties. Of this sentence, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code,  7 and a half years were enforceable.

Nouri was transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz in December 2019. On March 29, he was once again transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

Kasra Nouri was born in 1990. He had previously spent a period of imprisonment in No. 100 Shiraz Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, and Evin Prison in Tehran from 2011 to mid-2015 for  his online advocacy work for Gonabadi Dervishes.

Prisoner Dies in Ferdows Prison After Prison Authorities Delay his Transfer to the Hospital

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Prisoners
Ferdows, Ferdows Prison, Medical mistreatment, medical neglect, medical negligence, Pahendi Pour, South Khorasan, South Khorasan province

On Sunday,  June 20, Hossein Pahendi Pour died in Ferdows Prison in South Khorasan Province after prison authorities delayed his transfer to the hospital.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting RASANK news, Hossein Pahendi Pour’s car flipped in April of this year during a chase by law enforcement officers. In the crash he seriously injured his back and lungs, but rather than being first given time to heal in the hospital, he was arrested and taken to prison the following day.

The detainee’s condition had been deteriorating day by day, and by the end he was unable to move without the help of other prisoners. Despite the clear urgency of his condition, prison officials denied Mr. Pahendi Pour transfer to a medical center.

Pahendi Pour was eventually taken to a medical center and then to the hospital’s ICU. By this time, however, it was too late and he lost his life.