Tag: ahvaz

Political Prisoner Reza Arabpour Detained for Over 21 Months Without Verdict

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, HRANA, Izeh, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Rasoul Bodaghi, Reza Arabpour, Sadegh Ghasemi, Sheiban Prison, Vahid Abbasi, رضا عرب پور

Reza Arabpour, a political defendant arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Izeh, remains in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, over twenty-one months after his arrest, with no legal resolution in sight.

HRANA’s sources indicate that Mr. Arabpour has been in detention for over 600 days. Despite a court session being held in June of this year at Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, no verdict has been issued for him. Arabpour, hence, remains in a state of uncertainty in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.
Previously, Hossein Ali Hatami, the defense attorney for this political defendant, had told HRANA that Arabpour, along with Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari, are involved in a joint case, and a court session was held to address charges including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), corruption on earth (Efsad-e-Fil-Arz), and forming a rebel group.”

In November 2022, Reza Arabpour, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, Sadegh Ghasemi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari were arrested by IRGC intelligence officers. After completing the interrogation process, they were transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

A few months later, the indictment of these individuals on the mentioned charges was referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.
Among these citizens, so far, Bahman Bahmani, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Vahid Abbasi, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, Behrooz Salahshoor, and Rasoul Bodaghi have been released from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, on bail.

Political Detainee Alireza Merdasi Denied Medical Care in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Alireza Mardasi, Alireza Merdasi, HRANA, Sheiban Prison

Alireza Merdasi, a teacher and political detainee, remains in legal limbo in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, more than a year after his arrest. He suffers from health issues and has been denied proper medical care and transfer to outside medical facilities.

A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “Mr. Mardasi suffers from a lung condition and has been deprived of specialized medical care and transfer to medical facilities. Furthermore, he has been held in legal uncertainty for over a year in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, and has yet to face a court trial.”

Merdasi was arrested by security forces in Ahvaz on August 1, 2023.

He was later charged with “spreading corruption on Earth” and “membership in a rebellious group.”

Alireza Merdasi, approximately 45 years old, a father of one, a resident of Ahvaz, has over twenty years of experience teaching at the elementary level.

Hooman Seydali Detained for over 19 Months in Legal Limbo

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Hooman Seydali, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, هومن صیدالی

Hooman Seydali, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has remained in an uncertain state in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over nineteen months.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Seydali has been held in Ward 8 of Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for 592 days. Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court has issued a hefty bail of fifty billion tomans for his temporary release, but his family’s inability to provide this amount has led to the continuation of his detention.

A source close to Seydali’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Seydali has been charged with suspicion of membership in opposition groups.”

Hooman Seydali, 47 years old and a resident of Izeh, was arrested by security forces on December 20, 2022, during the nationwide protests and subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

Latest Status of Political Prison Jaber Sakhravi in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Jaber Sakhravi, Sheiban Prison

Jaber Sakhravi, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz has recently suffered a stroke but he has been denied transfer to a hospital in Ahvaz for a physiotherapy session due to opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family told HRANA: “Mr. Sakhravi had a stroke 10 days ago and was hospitalized in Golestan Hospital for two days. Despite doctors’ recommendations for continued treatment, he was returned to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison. Doctors have prescribed 12 physiotherapy sessions for his recovery, but the Ministry of Intelligence of Ahvaz is preventing his transfer to the hospital. As a result, the first physiotherapy session, scheduled for Monday, July 22, at Golestan Hospital, did not take place.”

According to information received by HRANA, in addition to suffering from a stroke that has slowed and slurred his speech, Mr. Sakhravi also suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), right leg paralysis, testicular swelling, and stomach pain. Despite his family providing the necessary medications, prison officials refuse to deliver them to him.

Sakhravi is in his tenth year of imprisonment in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz. HRANA has previously reported on his latest status.

Sakhravi was sentenced by “Judge Sha’bouni” at the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to 14 years and six months of imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security through moharebeh (enmity against God).” This sentence was later reduced to 12 years and five months by Branch 16 of the Ahvaz Court of Appeals

Extended Detention: Ongoing Uncertainty for Aman Jalali Nejad in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Aman Jalali Nejad, HRANA, Khuzestan, Sheiban Prison, امان جلالی نژاد

Aman Jalali Nejad, a teacher residing in Ahvaz, remains in detention and uncertainty for over ninety days in Sheiban Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, recently, Jalali Nejad’s detention was extended for another month until August 10.

Jalali Nejad was arrested by security forces at the entrance of Ahvaz on April 8, 2024. In early June of this year, he was transferred from the quarantine ward of Sheiban Prison to the prison’s security ward.

This teacher was charged with “propaganda against the regime” on June 10, 2024, in Branch 13 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Aman Jalali Nejad is a teacher and painter employed by the Khuzestan Province Department of Education and resides in Ahvaz.

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Ruhollah Kavousi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days, Facing Political Charges

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Izeh, Ruhollah Kavousi, Sheiban Prison

Ruhollah Kavousi, a political detainee, has been held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 300 days without resolution. Despite his poor health, he has been denied proper medical care and transfer to medical facilities.

A source close to Kavousi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Kavousi has developed kidney and liver diseases, affecting his physical health. Nonetheless, he has been denied transfer to external medical facilities and proper medical care.”

Based on HRANA’s information, despite 306 days passing since his arrest, Kavousi remains in limbo in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz. His case is under review by the second branch of the Izeh Prosecutor’s Office. He faces charges including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Kavousi, from Izeh, was arrested by security forces in Ahvaz on September 1, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison in the city.

Christian Convert Yasin Mousavi Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, Yasin Mousavi, یاسین موسوی

Yasin Mousavi, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, as reported by Mohabat News.

Based on the verdict issued by the third branch of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, presided over by Judge Fathinia, and communicated to Mr. Mousavi, he has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison on charges including “membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security” and “propaganda against the regime through promoting Zionist Christianity.”

Mousavi was previously arrested on December 24, 2023, along with several other Christian converts in the city of Izeh. After enduring twenty days of solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, he was transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Mousavi was released on bail from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz on April 30, 2024.

Mousavi has a history of previous arrests and imprisonment in October 2017, April 2021, and November 2022.

Despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority under Islamic law, the security services pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and deal harshly with those who convert to Christianity.

The persecution of Christian converts is a blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief, including the freedom to express their faith openly or privately.

Christian Convert Esmaeil Narimanpour Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Dezful, Esmaeil Narimanpour, Payam Rahaee Church, اسماعیل نریمان پور

Esmaeil Narimanpour, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, as reported by Mohabat News.

Narimanpour was charged with “acting against national security through association with Zionist-Christian organizations.”

Narimanpour was initially arrested by security forces in Dezful county on December 24, 2023, and subsequently released on bail from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, in April 2024. During his arrest, security personnel conducted an extensive search and seized several of his possessions. Furthermore, on the day of his arrest, his wife and brother were detained and interrogated for hours at the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Ahvaz, but were later released after signing a commitment letter.

Narimanpour is affiliated with the Payam Rahaee Church and has previously been arrested for his non-violent religious activities. Despite Christians being legally recognized as a religious minority in Iran, there remains persistent surveillance and interference in their religious practices by security forces, particularly targeting Christian converts.

It is crucial to emphasize that such actions stand in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These international instruments affirm the right of everyone to freedom of religion, the freedom to change their religion or belief, and the freedom to express these beliefs individually or collectively, openly or in private.

Baha’i Sepideh Rashidi Detained in Ahvaz by IRGC Intelligence

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, IRGC Intelligence, Sepideh Rashidi

IRGC intelligence officials have detained Baha’i citizen Sepideh Rashidi (Derakhshan) in Ahvaz, subsequently transferring her to an undisclosed location. This action has significantly heightened her family’s concerns due to the absence of information about her current condition.

A source close to Rashidi’s family confirmed to HRANA that her arrest occurred on Monday, May 27, 2024. During the arrest, IRGC Intelligence agents conducted an extensive search of her family’s home and seized some of her personal belongings.

As of now, the reasons for Rashidi’s arrest, her exact whereabouts, and any formal charges remain undisclosed.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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.

Omid Mehrban Sentenced to Over One Year and Nine Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Behbahan, Mohammad-Hassan Mehrban, Omid Mehrban

The Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Mohammad-Hassan (Omid) Mehrban to one year, nine months, and two days.

Mehrban’s lawyer, Sajjad Chatrsefid, announced that his client received one year, three months, and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and six months and one day for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Mehrban has the right to appeal the verdict.

Mehrban was arrested by IRGC Intelligence at his workplace in Behbahan on September 9, 2023. On September 27, he was transferred from the IRGC detention facility in Ahvaz to Behbahan Prison after his interrogation ended. He was released on bail after seven days.