Teacher’s Union Activist Fatemeh Bahmani Arrested in Shazand city

On December 24, security forces arrested teacher and union activist Fatemeh Bahmani at her house in Shazand City. Her cell phone was confiscated during the arrest.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, IRGC’s security agents arrested Bahmani without showing an arrest warrant.

The reasons for the arrest and her whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.

Bahmani was arrested earlier in 2018 along with her husband Mohammad Kurd. They were arrested during a protest and sit-down strike in Arak City and transferred to the city’s prison. In two different cases for each, they were sentenced to two years suspended imprisonment for three years and fined 8 million tomans (1904 USD).

Gharib Sharifzadeh Arrested by Security Forces in Saqqez in Kurdistan Province

On Saturday, September 18, Gharib Sharifzadeh was arrested by security forces in Saqqez in Kurdistan Province.

According to the HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, Sharifzadeh was taken to an unknown location following the arrest.

The report states that Mr. Sharifzadeh is from Saqqez in Kurdistan Province.  Sharifzadeh is said to have been arrested without a warrant and was beaten at the time of the arrest.

Mr. Sharifzadeh has a history of arrest and conviction and was sentenced to two years in prison for “collaborating with an opposition party” in 2017, which he endured in Saqqez Prison.

As of this writing, no information is available on the reasons for his detention, the charges against him, or his whereabouts.

Citizen Arrested by Security Forces Without a Court Order in Oshnavieh

On Sunday, September 19, Hassan Ghodrati, a native of Oshnavieh in West Azerbaijan Province, was arrested by security forces.

According to the HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, the citizen was transferred to a security detencion center in Urmia following the arrest.

45-year-old Ghodrati is a husband and father of five.

According to the report, security forces arrested him without a court order.

As of this writing, the reasons for the arrest and the charges against him are unknown.

Rapper Known for his Protest Songs Arrested in Isfahan

On Monday, September 13, Toomaj Salehi, a rapper known for his protest songs, was arrested by security forces at his home in Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 12 security forces came to the artist’s house in 4 cars, searched his house during his arrest, and confiscated a number of his belongings.

Mr. Salehi had previously warned on his Twitter account that he might be arrested.

As of this writing, no information is available on the charges against him or where he is being held.

Citizen Detained by Security Forces Without Court Order in Piranshahr

Salah Osmani was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, August 17, and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 44-year-old Osmani is a resident of the village of Kharapeh in Piranshahr in West Azerbaijan Province,

The report states that Mr. Osmani was arrested without a court order.

As of this writing, the reasons for the arrest and Osmani’s whereabouts are unknown.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Two Citizens Detained in Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province

Two citizens were recently detained by security forces in Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province and transferred to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Monday, August 9, Bukan native Rashid Rahimi was arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location. During the arrest, security forces searched the house and confiscated some of Mr. Rahimi’s personal belongings.

Also, according to the Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, on Wednesday, August 4, Bukan resident Ali Aziz-Zadeh, was detained by security forces without a warrant. According to the report, Mr. Aziz-Zadeh was beaten at the time of arrest.

As of this writing, no information is available on the detainees whereabouts or the charges against them.

 

Baha’i Citizen Sina Kamali Sarvestani Released from Adelabad Prison on Bail

On Sunday, July 11, Sina Kamali Sarvestani, a Baha’i citizen, was released on bail from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, still no information is available on the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him as of this writing.

Kamali Sarvestani was arrested by security forces on June 14 and was first transferred to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center and later to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, where he was held for nearly a month. He has been released on bail temporarily until the end of his trial.

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.