Concerns Mount Over Hamidreza Dorostkar’s Month-long Detention

Hamidreza Dorostkar, 39, has been held in Bahbahan Prison for over a month, his legal status shrouded in uncertainty as he remains deprived of access to legal representation and family visits.

A source close to Dorostkar’s family confirmed his 34-day detention in Behbahan prison, amplifying worries for his family who have been barred from visiting him.

Dorostkar was apprehended by security forces on February 16, 2024, during which he sustained injuries to his feet and teeth due to the use of force by intelligence agents.

In December 2023, Dorostkar was convicted by the Criminal and Revolutionary Courts of Behbahan. He received a six-month sentence for “insulting the Supreme Court” and a one-year-and-three-month sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Notably, he was acquitted of charges related to “inciting people to wage war and cause unrest against national security.”

During the nationwide protests of 2022, Dorostkar had previously been detained for four months. Initially sentenced to four years and 74 lashes on multiple charges, including “disturbing public order by participating in and filming unrests to send them to anti-regime media,” “disseminating false information,” and “promoting violence,” he later received amnesty under “the general pardon and commutation,” resulting in the closure of his legal case.

Zeinab Khenyab Pour Faces Imprisonment and Fine for Photos Without Hijab

The Appellate Court in Khuzestan Province sentenced Zeinab Khenyab Pour, a resident of Behbahan, to four months in prison and paying a fine, for the publication of photos without hijab.

Initially, Khenyab Pour was handed two years in prison by the Behbahan Criminal Court.

In a separate legal development overseen by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, Khenyab Pour had previously received a three-month sentence. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

The legal proceedings stem from Khenyab Pour’s participation in a general strike supporting nationwide protests on December 5, 2022. In response to the closure of her garment shop, she sought clarification from judicial authorities and was subsequently detained for six days in Sepidar Prison, located in Ahvaz. The case has ignited discussions about freedom of expression and the legal consequences individuals may face for their involvement in civic actions.

 

Update on the Health and Legal Situation of Political Prisoner Mehran Gharabaghi in Sheiban Prison

Mehran Gharabaghi, a 31-year-old political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Despite facing deteriorating health and the urgent need for medical treatment, he has not been transferred to a hospital outside the prison.

According to a source close to his family who informed HRANA, Gharabaghi is suffering from heart disease. Despite receiving medical confirmation of the necessity for hospital treatment two weeks ago, prison officials have refused to facilitate his transfer to a hospital.

On September 20, 2023, the Criminal Court of Behbahan sentenced Gharabaghi to three years and six months for a legal case initiated against him while imprisoned. The charges include “destruction of public property (setting fire to a women’s seminary in Behbahan),” and an additional 45 lashes for “disturbing public order.” Of this sentence, two years have been suspended for five years.

In a previous legal case, Gharabaghi had received a 10-year and one-month sentence along with additional penalties from the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr. Additionally, he has been handed a three-year imprisonment, with a two-year prison term enforceable by another Revolutionary Court branch. The concerning state of his health emphasizes the need for immediate attention and appropriate medical care.

Hossein Fathi Initiates His Ten-Year Prison Term at Behbahan Correctional Facility

On February 7, 2024, Hossein Fathi, arrested during the nationwide protests in 2019, commenced serving his ten-year sentence at Behbahan Correctional Facility.

In October 2020, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of Behbahan, under the jurisdiction of Judge Rasoul Asadpour, sentenced Fathi to ten years for “destruction and arson of banks and public property.” He also received an additional one-year prison term and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order.” The verdict, featuring a ten-year enforceable prison term, was affirmed on appeal by the Khuzestan Court of Appeal.

The November 2019 protests were triggered by a surge in fuel prices, leading to demonstrations in numerous cities across the country. Seyed Hossein Taghavi, the spokesperson for the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated that approximately 7,000 individuals were arrested during these protests. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that hundreds of people lost their lives as a result of the actions carried out by the security apparatus.

Zeinab Khenyab Pour Sentenced to Two Years for Publishing Photo without Hijab

The Behbahan Criminal Court has issued a two-year prison sentence to Zeinab (Bahar) Khenyab Pour, a resident of Behbahan, for the publication of photos without hijab.

The announcement of this verdict was made by Sajjad Chatr Sefid, Khenyab Pour’s legal representative. The court session addressing her charges took place on October 9, 2023.

In a separate legal development overseen by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, Khenyab Pour had previously received a three-month sentence.

On December 5, 2022, Khenyab Pour’s garment shop was closed following her participation in a general strike in support of nationwide protests. In response to the closure, she sought clarification from judicial authorities and was subsequently detained for six days in Sepidar Prison, located in Ahvaz.

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Hamid-Reza Dorostkar Receives Prison Sentence and Fine

Mahshahr’s Criminal and Revolutionary Courts have sentenced Hamid-Reza Dorostkar to two years and nine months in prison.

According to the verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court on December 25, 2023, Dorostkar was given six months for “insulting the Supreme Court” and one year and three months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Notably, he was acquitted of charges related to “inciting people to wage war and cause unrest against national security.”

Additionally, the Criminal Court of Mahshahr sentenced Dorostkar to one year for “blasphemy via publishing insulting media content on the Internet.” He has also been fined 18 million tomans for the charges of “disseminating false information.”

Dorostkar’s arrest occurred during the 2022 nationwide protests, and he remained in detention for four months. Initially sentenced to four years and 74 lashes for multiple charges such as “disturbing public order by participating in and filming unrests to send them to anti-regime media,” “disseminating false information,” and “promoting violence,” he later received amnesty under “the general pardon and commutation,” leading to the closure of his legal case.

Dorostkar, 39 years old, is married and resides in Behbahan, Khuzestan province.

Majid Khademi Sentenced to Prison and Lashes

Political prisoner Majid Khademi has received a sentence of four years and four months in addition to 45 lashes from the Criminal Court of Behbahan. Khademi is currently serving a prior sentence in Behbahan Prison.

As per the verdict, Khademi has been given a three-year and six-month sentence for “arson,” along with ten months for “disturbing public order,” bringing the total to four years and four months, coupled with 45 lashes. Of this sentence, two years have been suspended for five years.

For another part of his legal case, Khademi was initially sentenced to ten years and one month by Mahshahr Revolutionary Court. However, following a plea of no contest, for one charge, the sentence was reduced to five years and five months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” down from six years and three months. His convictions of two years and six months for “propaganda against the regime” and one year and four months for “membership in anti-regime groups” remain unchanged. For these sentences, five years and five months have been enforced.

Khademi commenced serving his sentence in Behbahan Prison on August 22.

He was arrested by IRGC Intelligence on January 18, 2020, and subsequently held in a detention facility in Behbahan City for one month of interrogation before being transferred to Behbahan Prison. On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Majid Khademi Imprisoned in Behbahan Prison for Sentencing

On Tuesday, August 22, Majid Khademi, aged 31, a resident of Behbahan, commenced serving his sentence in Behbahan Prison.

Khademi was summoned by the Public and Revolutionary Court of Behbahan to appear for sentencing. Initially handed a ten-year and one-month sentence, Khademi’s legal journey took a turn after his plea of no contest and a subsequent reduction in his punishment. The final verdict stipulates five years and five months of imprisonment for “assembly and collusion against national security,” in addition to one year and four months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, an enforceable sentence of five years, five months, and 18 days has been established.

In addition to his prison term, Khademi has been subjected to supplementary penalties, including a mandatory two-year residency requirement in Taft County within the Yazd province, along with a prohibition from engaging in civil/political groups for a duration of two years. Furthermore, his participation in orientation classes has been mandated.

Khademi also finds himself grappling with another legal case that stems from an arrest on June 22, 2022, following a court appearance at the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court. After a period of detention, he was eventually released on bail from Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.

On January 18, 2020, Khademi was arrested by IRGC Intelligence and subsequently taken to a detention facility in Behbahan City. Following one month of interrogation, he was transferred to Behbahan Prison. On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

 

Mohsen Kheirkhah Sentenced to Three Years in Mahshahr Court

Mohsen Kheirkhah has been sentenced to three years by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court.

The verdict, issued on July 22, 2023, includes one year for “propaganda against the regime” and two years for “insulting the Supreme Court of Iran.”

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will enforce a two-year sentence.

The court session took place on July 5, 2023.

Kheirkhah’s arrest occurred during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Mahshahr, and he was later released from Behbahan Prison.

It’s important to note that last year, the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court found him guilty of “propaganda against the regime,” but he was subsequently granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

Majid Khademi Receives Nine-Year and Three-Month Sentence

Majid Khademi, a 31-year-old resident of Behbahan, has been handed a sentence of nine years and three months by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, following a plea of no contest.

Originally, Khademi had been sentenced to ten years and one month. However, after entering a plea of no contest, the sentence was reduced from six years and three months to five years and five months for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The convictions of two years and six months for “propaganda against the regime” and one year and four months for “membership in anti-regime groups” remain unchanged.
Additionally, as part of the ruling, Khademi has been ordered to serve two years of exile in Taft, Yazd Province. He is also prohibited from joining any political or civil groups and is mandated to attend orientation classes.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial prison term of five years and five months will be enforced. Furthermore, Khademi faces additional charges in the second part of his legal case, which has been transferred to Behbahan Criminal Court.

On January 18, 2020, Khademi, along with Mehran Gharebaghi, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence and subsequently taken to a detention facility in Behbahan City. Following one month of interrogation, they were transferred to Behbahan Prison.

On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings.