Former Political Prisoner Reza Nowruzi Arrested

On September 7, 2023, Reza Nowruzi, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Breaking this development, his attorney, Erfan Karam Veisi, confirmed: “Nowruzi was arrested at his residence by security forces.”

The identity of the security institution responsible for Nowruzi’s arrest, as well as details about his current whereabouts and the charges against him, remain unknown at this time.

Previously, Nowruzi had been arrested by security forces in Tehran in April-May 2021. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years in prison, with five years of that sentence being enforceable. This verdict was upheld upon appeal.

On May 27, 2023, Nowruzi was granted early release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary. However, during his incarceration, in August 2022, he was charged with “disturbing prison order,” resulting in a fine and a sentence of 74 lashes.

In June 2023, he was summoned to Evin Courthouse to face further penalties related to his legal case.

Nowruzi, approximately 33 years of age and hailing from Sarab, is a father of two children.

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Sentenced to Combined Nine Years, Eight Months in Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a combined sentence of nine years and eight months to Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi, both residents of Tehran.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari informed Erfan Karam-Veisi about the verdict against his clients. Ebrahimi received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Ahmadi was sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, Ebrahimi’s four-year term will be enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal.

These individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Ardavan Fallahi’s Detention Extended in Evin Prison, Charges Modified

Ardavan Fallahi, who was apprehended during the nationwide protests in 2022, is currently held in Evin Prison alongside his father, Nasrollah, and sister, Arghavan.

In a recent update provided by their lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, it has been revealed that the Evin Courthouse has decided to extend their detention once again after six months since the arrest. Notably, the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” as initially stated in his detention extension notice, has been dropped by judicial officials. However, Fallahi still faces charges such as “spreading corruption on earth” and “assembly and collusion against national security,” which carry severe penalties if convicted.

Ardavan Fallahi, aged 24, was arrested in Isfahan on November 3, 2022, followed by the subsequent arrests of his 66-year-old father and 22-year-old sister in Shiraz the following day. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

Despite having attended two sessions, they have yet to be formally indicted.

Workers’ Rights Activist Farhad Sheikhi Arrested

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 28, 2023, workers’ rights activist Farhad Sheikhi was apprehended at his residence in Hashtgerd, Karaj, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Sheikhi’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, it was revealed that agents from the Ministry of Intelligence were responsible for his arrest.

This is not the first time Sheikhi have faced arrest and legal action for his activism. Last time, on January 21, 2023, security forces arrested him and jailed him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was relocated to the Central Prison of Karaj after 16 days.

This worker’s rights activist was released under the “pardon and commutation” directive on February 7, 2023.

Three Political Prisoners Beaten by Prison Officials in Great Tehran Penitentiary

On May 25, 2023, political prisoners Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Reza Nowrouzi and Majid Roshan-Nejad were beaten by prison officers at Great Tehran Penitentiary.

On May 25, 2023, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Reza Nowrouzi, and Majid Roshan-Nejad, political prisoners at Great Tehran Penitentiary, were subjected to a violent beating by prison officials.

Their legal representative, Erfan Karam Veisi, reported, “Yesterday, at approximately 11 am, my clients were assaulted by six prison guards in Ward Type 5. Dehbanzadeh endured repeated strikes from batons on his head and body. He was then shackled to a bar for an entire day. Despite his injuries, the prison infirmary only provided him with a pill and refused proper medical attention. Currently, he is held in another ward.

On May 3, 2023, they were transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison to Great Tehran Penitentiary. These prisoners had previously faced an attack from a violent crime prisoner on May 10, 2023.

Nowrouzi is presently serving a five-year sentence and received an additional punishment of 74 lashes and a fine in August 2022, for “disturbing prison order.”

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Three Workers’ Rights Activists Face Trial

HRANA News Agency-Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court held the court hearing addressing charges against three workers’ rights activists, Mohammad Iran-Nejad, Morteza Seydi and Nasrolllah Amirlou.

The defendants, who were represented by their attorneys including Erfan Karam Veisi, faced charges of “forming a workers’ association to act against national security.” The outcome of the trial remains to be seen.

The trio had previously been summoned to court on August 21, 2022, to present their final defense.

On June 26, 2022, Iran-Nejad was imprisoned to serve his sentence received for his previous legal case. He was released from Rajaj Shahr Prison on February 20, 2023.

Amirlou and Seydi were arrested on April 15, 2022, and later transferred from a detention facility in Tehran to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. They were granted bail and released from Evin Prison on May 2 and 9, 2022, respectively.