Former Political Prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh Arrested in Ahvaz

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

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

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.

 

Convicted Drug Offender Executed in Ahvaz 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

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.

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Eight People Sentenced to Combined 48 Years in Ahvaz

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

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

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.

 

Update on Health Condition of Political Prisoner Hamzeh Savari in Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Hamzeh Savari Laftah, a political prisoner serving a life sentence in Karaj’s Rajai Shahr Prison, continues to face health challenges as he battles lung disease while being denied adequate medical care.

According to a reliable source interviewed by HRANA, SSavari has not received the necessary medical attention for his lung disease during his imprisonment.

The source added, “Last year, prison officials denied his request for temporary release to attend his mother’s funeral.”

Arrested at the age of 16 on September 2, 2005, Savari was initially sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges of “spreading corruption on earth, enmity against God (Moharebeh), and acting against national security.” However, the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Throughout his time in prison, Savari has been coping with various health issues, including knee lumps, lumbar disc problems, spinal issues, and varicocele.

Shahab Nazari Arrested in Ahvaz

Security forces arrested Shahab Nazari, a resident of Izeh, in Ahvaz and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 29, 2023, Shahab Nazari, age 22, was arrested by security forces in Ahvaz.

An informed source close to Nazari’s family told HRANA that he was arrested at 10:00 pm at his uncle’s residence in Ahvaz.

The reason for his arrest, the location of his detention and the allegations against him are currently unknown.