Tag: ahvaz

Brutal Attack on Abbas Korkori in Prison Leads to Hospitalization

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Korkori, ahvaz, Izeh, Kiran Pirfalak, moharebeh, Mojahed Korkori, Zeinab Molaei-Rad

Abbas (Mojahed) Korkori, currently imprisoned at Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz, has been subjected to a violent assault by prison guards, resulting in his hospitalization. He is currently facing a death sentence.

A source closely connected to Korkori’s family has disclosed to HRANA that Korkori was brutally beaten by prison guards. He has been hospitalized since October 31, and visible bruises and wounds mar his face and body.

The same source has revealed that Korkori is being denied access to make a phone call.

Korkori, a resident of Izeh, has been sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges of  “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and “spreading corruption on earth.” Korkori was also convicted of the destruction of private and public properties, forming and participating in anti-regime groups, and armed rebellion against the regime.

The Revolutionary Court claims that Korkori was found guilty based on evidence obtained by CCTV cameras and Criminal Justice expert reports, which testify that the bullets that led to the death of 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak during protests in Izeh, were shot from the gun discovered with the defendant. Additionally, weapons, bullets, and Molotov cocktails were discovered at the defendant’s hideout, and the Governor of Izeh reported damages caused by the defendant and his associates to public and government properties.

“This verdict is not final and can be appealed to the Supreme Court,” the report asserts.

However, Pirfalak’s parents have repeatedly denied these accusations and claimed that their son was killed in a shooting by regime forces. Zeinab Molaei-Rad, Kian’s mother, said during his funeral, “On the way back home, the regime agents opened fire on our car.”

“As Kian’s mother, I will refute any claims that any regular citizen can be the murderer of my son,” his mother said in reaction to the accusations against Abbas Korkori and several others.

During the protest in Izeh, on November 16, 2022, at least seven individuals, including Kiran Pirfalak, were killed in the shooting by regime forces.

 

Sadegh Ghasemi Zilaie Arrested in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Sadegh Ghasemi Zilaie

On October 28, 2023, Sadegh Ghasemi Zilaie, a resident of Izeh, was detained in Ahvaz by security forces and subsequently taken to the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility.

A source close to his family disclosed that Ghasemi Zilaie was granted only one phone call to inform his family about his detention. The motives behind his arrest and the specific charges against him remain undisclosed at this time.
Prior to his arrest, Ghasemi Zilaie was actively involved in rap music.

Former Political Prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh Arrested in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Khaled Pirzadeh

On Tuesday, September 19, Khaled Pirzadeh, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces in Ahvaz and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

According to a source with close ties to his family, Pirzadeh’s arrest took place at Ahvaz Airport, where he was intercepted by security personnel.

The specific grounds for Pirzadeh’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the allegations against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

It’s worth noting that Pirzadeh has a history of previous arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Mahboobeh Mousavi Arrested in Ahvaz

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News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mahboobeh Mousavi

On September 13, 2023, Mahboobeh Mousavi, previously detained during the 2022 nationwide protests, was once again apprehended by security forces in Ahvaz and transported to an undisclosed detention facility.

According to a source with close ties to Mousavi’s family, the arrest occurred at 12:00 p.m. at her residence, with the agents failing to provide an arrest warrant. During the operation, a search of her home was conducted, leading to the confiscation of some of her personal belongings.
The specific grounds for her arrest, her current whereabouts, and the charges against her remain unknown at this time.

It’s noteworthy that Mousavi had been previously arrested by security forces on December 11, 2022, amid the nationwide protests. However, her case was officially closed following her amnesty, which was granted under a “pardon and commutation” directive implemented in February 2023.

 

singer-songwriter Mehdi Yarrahi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Iranian singer, Mehdi Yarrahi

Renowned Iranian singer-songwriter Mehdi Yarrahi has been taken into custody based on an order from the Tehran Prosecutor’s office. The arrest comes in connection with a song that authorities have deemed “unlawful,” according to ISNA’s report.

Recently, the judiciary’s news agency, Mizan, revealed that Yarrahi is facing legal proceedings due to a song that has been judged as “contrary to the values and norms of Islamic society.”

It’s worth noting that the singer had previously faced legal restrictions on his personal property rights due to his support for the 2022 nationwide protests. Mehdi Yarrahi, aged 42, is a singer and songwriter, hailing from Ahvaz.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

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Convicted Drug Offender Executed in Ahvaz Prison

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Executions, News
Abdolreza Ghalavand, ahvaz, Andimeshk, Sheyban Prison

On August 21, 2023, an inmate previously convicted of drug-related crimes faced execution within the walls of Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.

The inmate has been identified by HRANA as Abdolreza Ghalavand. A resident of Andimeshk and a father to a single child, Ghalavand had spent the past decade behind bars.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country reported this execution at the time of writing.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

 

Izeh Resident Shahab Nazari Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Shahab Nazari

The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court has handed down a three-year prison sentence to 23-year-old Shahab Nazari, a resident of Izeh.

As per the verdict issued on June 17, 2023, Nazari has been given a two-year sentence for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an additional one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” Notably, he was acquitted of the charges of “inciting people to wage war to act against national security.”
Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, he will serve two years in prison for the first charge.
It’s worth mentioning that Nazari is facing another legal case where the Ahvaz Criminal Court has indicted him for “spreading falsehood.”Security forces arrested Shahab Nazari in Ahvaz on April 22, 2023. He was subsequently released on a 300-million-toman bail on May 21, 2023.

Eight People Sentenced to Combined 48 Years in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Fayez Zahrouni, Hadi Jalali, Hossein Estedad, Hossein Farajollah Chaab, Musa Khaledi, Naser Shaye Mazraeh, Saeed Fakher-Nasab, Tofigh Falahieh

The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced eight people to a total of 48 years.

According to the latest rulings, Hossein Farajollah Chaab, Naser Shaye Mazraeh, Tofigh Falahieh, Fayez Zahrouni, Hossein Estedad, Saeed Fakher-Nasab, Hadi Jalali, and Musa Khaledi have each received a one-year prison sentence, five years of suspended imprisonment, and a two-year travel ban.

In May 2018, these individuals, alongside numerous others, were arrested by security forces following a one-week protest gathering. They were subsequently released on bail after a period of time.

Hossein Farajollah Chaab was detained once again in February 2021.

Update on Maziar Seyednejad’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Evin Prison, irgc, Maziar Seyednejad, workers rights activist

Maziar Seyednejad, an advocate for workers’ rights, remains confined to Ward 6 of Evin Prison since the commencement of his sentence on May 21, 2023.

In January 2023, Maziar Seyednejad received a sentence from Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which included two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he has been prohibited from leaving the country, engaging in political and civil associations, and participating in online social activities for a duration of two years. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the two-year sentence for the aforementioned charge has been enforced.

However, it is worth noting that Seyednejad has publicly stated that, when considering his previous three-year sentence in Ahvaz, he expects to serve a total of five years.

Seyednejad’s arrest took place on June 7, 2021, when security forces apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. He was subsequently transferred to IRGC’s detention facility in Evin Prison, specifically Ward 2-A. On August 16, 2021, he was granted temporary release upon posting a 600-million-toman bail, pending the conclusion of his legal proceedings.

It is important to mention that Seyednejad has faced prior arrests and convictions due to his unwavering commitment to civil activism.

 

Lawyer Farzaneh Zilabi Receives Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Farzaneh Zilabi, Haft Tappeh, Mandanda Sadeghi, Mehrnoosh Tafian, Ronak Rezaie

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-The Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced attorney Farzaneh Zilabi to one year and six months in prison.

According to the verdict, Zilabi received one year for the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and six months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” The court session, held on April 17, 2023, addressed these charges along with two other charges of “membership in anti-regime groups” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

It should be noted that Zilabi is also facing the charge of “spreading falsehood” in another ongoing legal case.

Zilabi has been a legal representative for the Syndicate of Workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company and has represented several recently arrested individuals, including media activist Mehrnoosh Tafian, journalist Mandanda Sadeghi, and student activist Ronak Rezaie. Zilabi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.