Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Faces Re-Arrest

On November 30, 2023, protest rapper Toomaj Salehi experienced a renewed arrest in Babol by security forces, taken to an undisclosed location despite his recent release on bail from Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, on November 18.

The apprehension unfolded on a Babol street using violence by the agents, leaving the grounds for his arrest and his current location shrouded in uncertainty.

This influential protest rapper was granted bail on November 18 from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, after the Supreme Court overturned his verdict. According to Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court reviewed Salehi’s case, identified defects in the indictment, and subsequently annulled the previous verdict. Consequently, the case was returned to the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. “Salehi, benefiting from a general pardon, should have been released without the need for bail,” his lawyer asserted.

In July of this year, Salehi received a six-year and three-month sentence, along with a travel ban, a prohibition on music production, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills courses for two years.

In late October 2022, Salehi was detained by security forces during nationwide protests. Despite official media claims of his attempt to leave the country illegally, individuals close to Salehi contested this narrative.

It is noteworthy that the protest singer has a prior conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined, with the imprisonment suspended for one year.

Update on Amir-Nasr Azadani’s Current Situation in Dastgerd Prison

Amir-Nasr Azadani, a former soccer player involved in the legal case “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House),” is presently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, serving a sixteen-year sentence imposed by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

A source close to Azadani’s family informed HRANA that in January 2023, he received five years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and sixteen years for “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” In May of the same year, the Supreme Court accepted his retrial plea, leading to the review of his case by another branch court.

“In the review, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court acquitted him of the first two charges, yet upheld his 16-year prison term for Moharebeh,” the source clarified.

Azadani’s lawyer has submitted a request for a retrial, and the case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

Amid nationwide protests on November 17, 2022, Azadani was arrested by security forces in connection to the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case. Notably, three other defendants in the same case, Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), Majid Kazemi (30), and Saeed Yaghoubi (37), were executed on May 19, 2023, for charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh).

Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Released on Bail

In a significant development, influential protest rapper Toomaj Salehi was granted bail on November 18 from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, after the Supreme Court overturned his verdict.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, informed Shargh News that upon appeal, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court reviewed Salehi’s case, identified defects in the indictment, and subsequently annulled the previous verdict. Consequently, the case was returned to the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.
According to Raisian, Salehi, benefiting from a general pardon, should have been released without the need for bail.

In July of this year, Salehi received a six-year and three-month sentence, along with a travel ban, a prohibition on music production, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills courses for two years.

In late October 2022, Salehi was detained by security forces during nationwide protests. Despite official media claims of his attempt to leave the country illegally, individuals close to Salehi contested this narrative.

It is noteworthy that the protest singer has a prior conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined, with the imprisonment suspended for one year.

Mahmood Mehrabi Arraigned on Charge of “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

Mahmood Mehrabi, who is presently held in detention at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been officially indicted on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” by the Mobarakeh Public and Revolutionary Courthouse.

Mehrabi faces a multitude of allegations, including “spreading corruption on earth through the dissemination of false information, propagating anti-regime content on the Internet, inciting military and police personnel to abandon their duties, and encouraging acts of aggression, as well as insulting both the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran.”

On February 1, 2023, security forces apprehended Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was temporarily released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested shortly thereafter at his residence, reportedly in connection with his social media posts that voiced dissent.

It is noteworthy that Mehrabi has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

 

Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Sentenced to Six Years and Three Months, Faces Harsh Restrictions

Toomaj Salehi, a prominent protest singer, has been handed a sentence of six years and three months by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to a ban on leaving the country, producing music, and singing for a period of two years. Furthermore, he has been mandated to attend orientation classes as part of his sentencing.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Shargh Newspaper, rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

Today, July 10, Salehi was relocated from solitary confinement to the public ward in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

Salehi’s lawyer, Roza Etemad Ansari, confirmed the verdict issued by Judge Morteza Barati, who presided over the case. Etemadi clarified that Salehi was found guilty of “spreading corruption on earth,” while being acquitted of the charges of “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran” and “association with adversary countries.”

A reliable source earlier revealed that Salehi sustained injuries to his right foot and eye as a result of beatings during the interrogation. He continues to suffer from these injuries.

In late October 2022, Salehi was arrested by security forces. Official media claimed that he was apprehended while attempting to leave the country illegally, a claim refuted by individuals close to Salehi.

The protest singer has a previous conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined. The imprisonment was suspended for one year.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

 

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Mahmood Mehrabi Indicted for “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Mobarakeh Public and Revolutionary Courthouse, Branch 1, has indicted Mahmood Mehrabi on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to Mehrabi’s lawyer, who spoke to HRANA, Mehrabi is currently detained in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. He was arrested for publishing online content that encouraged people to participate in protests. “So far, my colleagues and I have been denied the opportunity to represent my client,” his lawyer added.

On February 1, 2023, security forces arrested Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was initially released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested just a few hours later at his residence. A reliable source close to his family revealed that the reason for his re-arrest was a social media post he published.

 

Mahmood Mehrabi Endures Prolonged Three-Month Detention in Dastgerd Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency – Mahmood Mehrabi remains detained in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, for over three months.

According to Mehrabi’s lawyer, who spoke to HRANA, “His legal case has currently been sent to the investigation office.” A reliable source close to his family disclosed that Mehrabi has been denied adequate medical care, despite his deteriorating health condition.
On February 1, 2023, security forces arrested Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested just a few hours later at his residence.

It’s important to note that Mehrabi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Execution of Five Inmates in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan

Five Inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan Prisons.

According to Haal Vsh, on June 1, 2023, Aghil Arab, age 27, was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. On the same day, Nemat Arzani, 33, and Rasoul Sheikh Arpanahi, 27, were also executed in Kashan Prison.

Furthermore, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of two inmates in Adelabad Prison on May 24, 2023. The individuals have been identified as Ali Mohammad Zera’at, a father of a young child, and Esmaiel Nasiri.

All these executed prisoners have been convicted of drug-related crimes several years ago.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

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.

 

 

Six Inmates Executed Across Different Prisons in Iran

Over the course of May 24 and 25, 2023, six inmates faced execution in various prisons located in Maragheh, Kerman, Jiroft, and Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on May 25, 2023, an inmate identified by his first name as Amir-Mehdi was executed publicly in a square in Maragheh, East Azerbaijan province. He was convicted of rape six years ago.

On the same day, Haal Vsh reported the executions of Nader Kalbali, 39, and Abdorasoul Jamshidi, 55, in Kerman Prison. Both individuals were sentenced to death for drug-related offenses.
Furthermore, Haal Vsh also reported that Mohammad Daraie, also known as Ahmad Golbacheh, aged 30 and a resident of Zahedan, was executed in Jiroft. Daraie had been convicted four years ago for drug-related crimes.

Lastly, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization, on May 24, Majid Jafari and Ali Tabib were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. Jafari had been sentenced to death two years ago for drug-related crimes, while Tabib had received a conviction for murder three years ago.

Recent updates reveal that the number of executed individuals in Kerman prison has now reached six. Among them, three have been identified as Nader Kalbali, Abdorasoul Jamshidi, and Ali Shahriari. Additionally, in Jiroft Prison, another inmate named Mehdi Salari was executed alongside Mohammad Daraie.

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.

 

 

Five Inmates Executed in Adelabad and Dastgerd Prisons

On April 5, 2023, three inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz. Also, on March 19, a man and woman convicted of murder were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, Adelabad prison officials carried out the execution of three inmates.

These individuals have been identified as Yousef Jome’eh Hosseini (an Afghan national), Kazem Rasouli and Ali Hossein Sadeghzadeh, all convicted of drug-related crimes three years ago.

Also, Iran Human Rights Organization reported that on March 19, 2023, Hassan Bahmani and Maryam Najjar (female) were executed in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. They were previously convicted of murder in two separate cases.

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.