Barring Any New Charges, Activist Saeed Shirzad to be Released in 2020

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – Rajai Shahr political prisoner Saeed Shirzad will remain in prison through 2020, according to HRANA reports.

His most recent convictions stem from a prison protest that broke out last August among a group of wardmates, including Shirzad, who protested their transfer to an enhanced-security ward under the jurisdiction of Iran’s security establishment. For Shirzad and his fellow prisoners Amir Ghaziani, Saeed Pourheidar, and Ebrahim Firoozi, the protests incurred charges of “destruction of prison property,” ruled in January of 2018 in in Tehran province’s Criminal Court No. 2, Branch 116.

Rather than add prison time for the latter charge, Branch 3 of the Evin Prison Prosecutor’s Office set them a bail of 700 million IRR (approximately $7,000 USD).

In April of that same year authorities gave Shirzad more grief for the protests, issuing him an additional six-month prison term in the same court for “disturbing prison order.”

The “disturbing public order” sentence, along with the enactment of a one-year suspended sentence pursuant to a 2012 arrest, will compound Shirzad’s current five-year sentence by an additional year, slating his release for 2020.

According to HRANA reports, Shirzad’s five-year sentence was ruled on charges of “assembling and colluding against national security,” in connection to civic activities including visits to the families of political prisoners. [Though he began serving this sentence four years ago, it was not finalized until 2017].

Since his arrest in the Tabriz refinery where he worked on June 2nd, 2014, Shirzad’s prison time has been fraught with both oppression and physical pain. On July 11th, 2018, HRANA reported on prison authorities’ refusal to comply with medical orders for more specialized treatment of Shirzad’s lumbar disc disease and spastic lower back inflammation. As authorities continued to reject his requests for the recommended medical transfer — even out of Shirzad’s own pocket — his condition has deteriorated, and he now relies on a walker. HRANA also covered Shirzad’s gestures of protest against his condition and treatment in the system, including hunger strike and sewing his mouth shut.

Due to multiple postponements of his court date, he was also subject to a judicial lag of 15 months between his June 2014 arrest and September 2015 trial in Tehran Revolutionary Court Branch 15, presided by Judge Salavati. During that period he was detained without a conviction first in Evin, and then in Rajai Shahr Prison.

On April 15th, 2017 — a year and half after his already-delayed initial trial — his appeals session convened in Branch 54 of Tehran Appeals Court and ultimately ruled to uphold his 5-year prison sentence.

Shirzad’s rap sheet with authorities dates back to August 21, 2012, when he was arrested and given his one-year suspended sentence for assisting earthquake victims in Ahar, East Azerbaijan province, where he was reportedly involved in the operations of Sarand-based rescue camps. Though he was released on bail 19 days later, his more recent offenses — viewed as a kind of parole violation in the judicial system — kicked the suspended sentence into effect.

Rajai Shahr Prison, where Shirzad is currently held, is located in the northwestern Tehran suburb of Karaj.

The Latest List of Political Prisoners in Hall 10 of Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA News Agency – At least 30 political prisoners in Ward 10 in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, still continue to protest by refusing to accept the prison’s food. In protest against the unlawful deprivations and restrictions imposed on them, they demand the delivery of their lost and stolen personal stuff and equipment from the prison authorities. The Equipment of 35 rooms in prison is worth 3,85 billion IRR.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), 21 days after the beginning of the protest of political prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, by refusing to accept the prison’s food, and in spite of the prosecutor’s office’s promise to improve the situation, there has been no changes in the conditions of this place. Continue reading “The Latest List of Political Prisoners in Hall 10 of Rajai Shahr Prison”

A Comprehensive Report on the Latest Developments in Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA News Agency – An estimated number of 50 political prisoners held in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have been transferred to a new and security hall in recent weeks. There are the deprivations which have been imposed on prisoners in this hall where even the toilets are equipped with CCTV cameras. The situation has prompted political prisoners to protest. At least 16 prisoners are on hunger strike in a critical condition.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 53 political-security prisoners detained in hall 12 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj were transferred to a hall which was previously rebuilt and developed by security forces, with the presence of a large number of prison guards, without prior notice on July 30, 2017. The hall is equipped with a large number of surveillance cameras and surveillance devices, as well as the shields that separate it from the rest of the prison.The families of these prisoners in the wake of their concern about the fate of their relatives, had referred to the judicial authorities who are responsible for this issue but these efforts had not resulted. Continue reading “A Comprehensive Report on the Latest Developments in Rajai Shahr Prison”

Latest Situation of Prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison: Hunger Strike Continues

HRANA News Agency – An estimated number of 50 political prisoners held in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have been transferred to a new and security hall in recent weeks. There are the deprivations which have been imposed on prisoners in this hall where even the toilets are equipped with CCTV cameras. The situation has prompted political prisoners to protest. At least 18 prisoners are on the 25th day of their hunger strike in a critical condition.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 53 political-security prisoners detained in hall 12 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj were transferred to a hall which was previously rebuilt and developed by security forces, with the presence of a large number of prison guards, without prior notice on July 30, 2017. The hall is equipped with a large number of surveillance cameras and surveillance devices, as well as the shields that separate it from the rest of the prison. Continue reading “Latest Situation of Prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison: Hunger Strike Continues”

Political Prisoners of Rajai Shahr Prison Transferred to a New Hall

HRANA News Agency – An estimated number of 50 Political prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have been transferred to a new security ward. In this ward, where even bathrooms are equipped with CCTV cameras, there are more limits for prisoners. This new situation has prompted political prisoners to protest. 12 prisoners have gone on hunger strike and 6 inmates are in solitary confinement. Tensions in this ward continue.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), with the presence of a large number of prison guards, and without prior notice, about 50 political prisoners in Hall 12 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj were transferred to a place which has been built from a long time ago by the security forces. This site is equipped with a large number of surveillance cameras and surveillance devices, as well as shields that separate it from the rest of the prison. Political prisoners have been protesting at this place since their transfer, on July 30. Continue reading “Political Prisoners of Rajai Shahr Prison Transferred to a New Hall”

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Prison guards raiding ward 350 of Evin Prison

HRANA News Agency – 31 political prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement and their belongings were destroyed, some of them are in critical condition in solitary confinements.
 
“Ismael Barzegari’s ribs were broken, Soheil Babadi’s arm and neck were bruised, Soroush Sabet’s head was bleeding, Samko Khelghatis clothes were torn, Gholamreza Khosravi and Reza Akbari were severely injured, Asadollah Hadi faced heart problem because he had recently an open operation on his heart. And also Omid Behrouzian had severe bleeding because the vein of his hand was cut.” A source told HRANA. Continue reading “Prison guards raiding ward 350 of Evin Prison”