Tag: Baghi

Death Sentence of Labor Activist Sharifeh Mohammadi Commuted to 30 Years in Prison

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Executions, News
Amir Raisian, Baghi, Raisian, Sharifeh Mohammadi, شریفه محمدی

HRANA – Amir Raisian, the defense attorney for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison of Rasht, announced that her death sentence has been commuted to 30 years in prison following an order from the head of the Judiciary.

The attorney stated that his client’s sentence has been changed from the death penalty to a first-degree imprisonment term of 30 years. He explained that this decision was made with the approval of the head of the Judiciary, effectively halting the immediate risk of execution. Raisian also emphasized that legal efforts continue to pursue a retrial or the application of Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with the goal of ultimately overturning Mohammadi’s conviction and acquitting her of the charge of baghi (armed rebellion).

Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code is considered a special and exceptional legal provision that allows the head of the Judiciary to order a case to be referred to the Supreme Court for retrial if a final verdict is deemed to be “in clear contradiction with Islamic law.” In practice, this article serves as one of the last legal avenues for reviewing final verdicts, particularly in political, ideological, and death penalty cases.

Earlier, in August 2024, Raisian had reported that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court had upheld Mohammadi’s death sentence.

On July 4, 2024, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht sentenced Sharifeh Mohammadi to death on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion). The issuance of her death sentence sparked widespread reactions.

Her trial session was held on June 8, 2024, in the same court branch, where she faced charges of propaganda against the regime, acting against national security, and baghi through membership in an opposition group.

Previously, in Branch 4 of the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office, presided over by Judge Rajabi, Mohammadi had been formally charged with propaganda against the regime, acting against national security, and baghi through membership in an opposition group.

Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested on December 5, 2023, at her home by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. On December 30, 2023, she was transferred from Lakan Prison in Rasht to Sanandaj Prison, before eventually being returned to Lakan Prison after a period of time.

A source close to her family had earlier told HRANA: “Until 2013, Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Unions, which has no connection whatsoever with the Komala Party, yet she was accused of baghi due to alleged membership in that group.”

Death Sentences of 9 Prisoners Convicted of Moharebeh Carried Out

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Executions, News
Baghi, General Pakpour, HRANA, irgc, moharebeh

HRANA News Agency – The death sentences of 9 prisoners who had previously been convicted of moharebeh (enmity against God) through baghi (armed rebellion) and armed uprising were carried out.

According to Mizan, Judiciary’s media outlet, after court sessions were held in the presence of the defendants and their lawyers, the court sentenced these 9 individuals to death. Ultimately, after the Supreme Court upheld the verdict, the executions were carried out.

The case against these defendants, based on charges of moharebeh through baghi and armed uprising and possession of military-grade weapons, had been referred to the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office via judicial delegation. After investigations were completed and an indictment was issued, the case was sent to court.

Regarding the details of the case, the report claims: “In February 2018, the commander of the IRGC Ground Forces announced the dismantling of a team affiliated with ISIS in western Iran. According to General Pakpour, ISIS had planned to carry out several terrorist operations in Iran’s border and central cities by sending its members into the country. In a military operation, several ISIS-linked individuals were killed and others were arrested. Three military personnel were also killed in the operation. A variety of military weapons, ammunition, machine guns, 50 grenades, several thermal cameras, pistols, and a large quantity of bullets and magazines were reportedly seized from the suspects.”

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Appeals Court Upholds 15-Year Prison Sentence for Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Bukan, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, West Azerbaijan

HRANA News Agency – The 15-year prison sentence for Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, one of those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Bukan, has been upheld in full by the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court.

Zhino Beigzadeh Babamiri, daughter of the political prisoner, announced in a post that her father’s 15-year sentence was fully upheld by the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court. She added that the ruling was recently delivered to Mr. Babamiri in prison by the Urmia Judiciary’s Sentence Enforcement Branch.

Previously, the Criminal Court Branch One of Urmia had sentenced Mr. Babamiri to 15 years in prison for alleged involvement in a murder during the 2022 nationwide protests.

In addition to this case, Mr. Babamiri is also facing other charges, including baghi (armed rebellion), in a separate case currently under review at the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a farmer residing in Bukan, was arrested in April 2023 in connection with the 2022 protests.

Between late 2019 and the end of 2024, the number of arrests made by Iran’s security forces for peaceful expression nearly doubled compared to the preceding five-year period (2015–2019), reflecting an intensifying pattern of repression following major protest movements.

Rasht Revolutionary Court Sentences Poet Peyman Farah-Avar to Death

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ahmad Darvish Goftar, Amin Farahavar, Baghi, HRANA, Lakan prison, moharebeh, Peyman Farah-Avar, Peyman Farahavar

HRANA News Agency – Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar (Farahavar), a poet from Gilan currently held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentence was issued by Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar and is based on charges of “baghi” (armed rebellion against the state) and “moharebeh” (enmity against God).

A source close to Farahavar’s family confirmed the ruling and told HRANA: “The charges are based on his poetry and protest-related activities focused on social justice and civil rights. His trial was held behind closed doors, without access to a chosen lawyer, and the verdict was issued without due process or transparency.”

The court session took place on May 1, 2025, at the mentioned branch. Specific evidence cited in the charges has not been made public.

Farah-Avar was arrested by security forces in September 2024 and taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. He was later transferred to Lakan Prison following the interrogation phase.

A father of a 10-year-old boy, Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar has previously been detained for his activism.

Transfer to Solitary Confinement Raises Growing Concerns Over the Imminent Execution of Political Prisoner Hamid Hosseinnezhad Heydaranlou

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Hamid Hosseinnezhad Heydaranlou, HRANA, Urmia prison

HRANA News Agency – Hamid Hosseinnezhad Heydaranlou, a political prisoner sentenced to death and held in Urmia Prison, has been transferred to solitary confinement. Given his death sentence, the transfer has heightened concerns among his family and close ones.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “The transfer of this death row prisoner has increased the family’s and his relatives’ concerns about his situation.”

The political prisoner’s death sentence was recently upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court and was officially communicated to him in Urmia Prison on March 26, 2025.

Mr. Hosseinnezhad was sentenced to death in July 2024 by Branch 1 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh. He was convicted of baghi for alleged membership in an opposition party. After he appealed the ruling, the case was referred to the Supreme Court.

He was arrested on April 13, 2023, by border guards near Chaldoran. After several hours of interrogation, he was transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia. There, he was subjected to psychological and physical torture for 11 months and 10 days to force a confession. He was made to sign pre-written statements.

During his detention at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, he was only allowed two brief phone calls with his family and was denied access to legal counsel and in-person visits. Due to opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence, he was also denied a chosen lawyer during trial. The court dismissed his defense and sentenced him to death for baghi.

In court, Mr. Hosseinnezhad denied all charges. Kurdpa reported that the Ministry of Intelligence accused him of collaborating with an opposition party without presenting any evidence. The agency claimed he held a grudge against border forces because his brother-in-law, Mostafa Nouri, had been killed by them in 2015. Based on this, he was accused of involvement in an armed clash. Judge Najafzadeh issued the death sentence in a brief hearing, solely based on “the judge’s intuition.”

Hamid Hosseinnezhad Heydaranlou, aged around 40, is a father of three. He is currently being held in Ward 2 of Urmia Prison.

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After Supreme Court Overturns Verdict, Death Sentence Reissued for Sharifeh Mohammadi

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, Sharifeh Mohammadi

HRANA News Agency – Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has once again been sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht. Her initial death sentence had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel court for retrial.

Based on the ruling issued by Judge Darvish Goftar of Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, which was delivered to her lawyers today, Mohammadi has been sentenced to death on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in an opposition group.”

Mohammadi was sentenced to death on July 4, 2023, on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) due to her alleged membership in an opposition group. This sentence against the female labor activist triggered widespread public outcry.

Her trial, held on June 8, 2023, revolved around multiple charges, including propaganda against the regime, actions against national security, and baghi through her supposed affiliation with the group.

Mohammadi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence at her home in Rasht on December 5, 2023. Later that month, she was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, only to be sent back to Lakan after some time.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no ties to the Komala group. The charge of baghi is based on her alleged membership in this group, which is not true.”

Death Sentences for Behrooz Ehsani and Mehdi Hasani Upheld by Supreme Court

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Baghi, Behrooz Ehsani, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Hasani, Mehdi Hassani, moharebeh, zanjan

The Supreme Court of Iran has upheld the death sentences for Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani, political prisoners held in Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the lawyers of the two political prisoners were formally notified of the court’s decision.

The two were sentenced to death in late September 2024 by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi),” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth,” collecting classified information, and collusion against national security. Their alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) was cited as evidence against them.

On Monday, November 28, 2022, Mr. Ehsani was arrested at his home in Tehran and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mr. Hasani was also arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan and was transferred to Evin Prison. Both individuals spent months in a state of uncertainty and incommunicado detention.

Behrooz Ehsani is 64 years old. Mehdi Hasani, aged around 48, is married and the father of two children. Before his arrest, he was active in the real estate sector.

Prolonged Detention of Gilan Poet Peyman Farah-Avar Without Trial in Lakan Prison

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News, Prisoners
Amin Farah-Avar, Baghi, Gilan, Lakan prison, Ministry of Intelligence, moharebeh, Peyman Farah-Avar, Rasht, پیمان فرح آور

Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar, a poet from Gilan Province, remains in detention at Lakan Prison in Rasht more than five months after his arrest, with no resolution to his case.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Farah-Avar faces charges including ‘propaganda against the regime,’ baghi (armed rebellion), and moharebeh (enmity against God). He has been detained for over five months in a state of limbo at Lakan Prison in Rasht, with no court hearings held to address his charges.”

Mr. Farah-Avar was arrested by security forces in August 2024 and initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. After completing the interrogation process, he was transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar, a poet from Gilan and the father of a 10-year-old son, has previously been arrested due to his activities.

Political Prisoner Varisheh Moradi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Baghi, Evin Prison, Varishe Moradi, Varisheh Moradi, وریشه مرادی

Political prisoner Varisheh Moradi, currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The verdict was issued under the supervision of Judge Abolqasem Salavati.

Ms. Moradi was arrested on August 1, 2023, by security forces near Sanandaj. Following her arrest, she underwent interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, referred to as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On December 26, 2023, after the completion of the interrogation process, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The legal process in Ms. Moradi’s case has been marked by delays:

  • The first court session, held on June 17, 2024, addressed charges including membership in an opposition group and baghi.
  • A hearing scheduled for August 4, 2024, was postponed due to Ms. Moradi’s absence.
  • Another hearing on August 28, 2024, was canceled because the prosecutor’s representative and Judge Amuzad, serving as an advisor, were not present.

The second court session finally took place on October 5, 2024, during which the death sentence was finalized.

In a separate case involving four other prisoners, Ms. Moradi was recently sentenced to six months of imprisonment by Branch 2 of the Quds Judicial Complex in Tehran. This sentence relates to accusations of “assaulting an officer and defiance” during a protest in the women’s ward of Evin Prison on August 7, 2024.

The protest erupted after inmates learned of the execution of Reza Rasaei, leading to a confrontation with prison guards. This incident resulted in new charges against Ms. Moradi and other prisoners.

Nayeb Askari Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison and Heavy Fine After Death Sentence Overturned

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, moharebeh, Naeb Askari, Nayeb Askari, Urmia, Urmia prison

Nayeb Askari, a political prisoner detained in Urmia Prison, has been re-sentenced by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison and a fine of 900 million tomans, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his prior death sentence and refer his case for retrial.

This updated sentence was issued last week by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. According to HRANA’s sources, the fine was imposed on Askari as compensation for alleged damage to government property.

Initially, on April 15, 2023, Askari was sentenced to death in absentia and without legal representation by Branch 2 on charges of “enmity against God (moharebeh).” After he appealed, the court downgraded the charge from “moharebeh” to “armed rebellion (baghi)” but re-issued a death sentence in late October 2023.

Askari’s alleged membership in a Kurdish opposition party was cited as evidence supporting the charges in his case.

Arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, Askari was later moved to a detention facility and, on June 17, 2021, to Urmia Prison.

HRANA’s source reveals another ongoing case accusing Askari of the murder of IRGC member Mostafa Soltani. In 2013-2014, Soltani was injured during a clash with a political opposition party member, passing away six years later from COVID-19. Soltani’s family claims alleged Askari’s involvement in the altercation caused the sustained injury leading to his eventual death.

A new case, opened on July 12, 2021, based on a complaint from the Urmia Prison head, resulted in a three-month imprisonment extension and 50 lashes for “disrupting prison order.”

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.