Iranian-Swedish Saeed Azizi’s Five-Year Prison Term Upheld on Political Charges

The Appellate Court of Tehran has affirmed a five-year prison sentence for Iranian-Swedish citizen Saeed Azizi.

Currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, Azizi was initially handed the five-year term for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari.

Azizi’s legal representative has revealed that he is battling cancer, adding an extra layer of difficulty to his detention. His health has further deteriorated following a recent fall down a flight of stairs.

Previously, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs had expressed concern over the arrest of a Swedish national man in Iran, citing a lack of clarity regarding the reasons behind it.

Theater Director Ali Noorani Commences One-Year Prison Term, Faces New Legal Proceedings

Theater director Ali Noorani was taken into custody on March 6 to begin serving a one-year sentence at Evin Prison. Simultaneously, new legal proceedings have been initiated against him.

A reliable source close to Noorani confirmed his imprisonment, stating that he was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison following his appearance at the Evin Courthouse. Initially, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced Noorani to six years in prison for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” However, the sentence was later reduced to one year on appeal.

Noorani had previously been arrested on September 17, 2023, at his residence in Tehran. After spending 24 days in detention, he was released on a bail of three billion tomans, equivalent to approximately 60,000 dollars. The recent arrest marks the commencement of his one-year prison term as he faces further legal challenges.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Political Prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh Attempts Suicide, Hospitalized

Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh, a political prisoner in Evin Prison, attempted suicide by ingesting pills, leading to his hospitalization.

A source close to Raisi Yeganeh’s family confirmed the incident, stating, “On Wednesday evening, March 6, Raisi Yeganeh attempted suicide by taking nerve pills. Today, a few of his fellow inmates noticed his lethargy and informed prison officials. Subsequently, he was transferred to Lughman Hospital. Since then, we have not been informed about his well-being.”

Raisi Yeganeh was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Tehran on April 17, 2023, and has been held in Ward 8 of Evin Prison. In December 2023, Judge Iman Afshari, presiding over Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentenced him to 23 years and eight months in prison. It is important to note that Raisi Yeganeh has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded seven deaths resulting from illness, twelve suicides, one case of self-immolation, and four instances of prisoners being murdered within prisons nationwide.

Imprisoned Political Activist Mostafa Tajzadeh Confronts Additional Charges

Mostafa Tajzadeh, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, is facing new legal challenges as he receives a summons related to fresh charges. The accusations include “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime,” compelling Tajzadeh to attend a court hearing scheduled for March 10.

In response to the summons, Tajzadeh, in an open letter from prison, declared, “As usual, I refused to receive the summons letter. The Judicial authorities can hand me several additional years-long prison terms in absentia, but I will attend neither courthouse nor the court.”

In late February, Tajzadeh was confined to solitary confinement as a punitive measure for his statement advocating the boycott of the parliamentary election and conducting media interviews from prison.

The prominent political activist was apprehended by security forces on July 8, 2022, and subsequently transferred to Ward 2-A in Evin Prison under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). After months of legal uncertainty, Tajzadeh was sentenced to eight years in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati. The charges included “assembly and collusion against national security,” “disseminating false information,” and “propaganda against the regime,” with five years of the verdict deemed enforceable.

Tajzadeh, who previously served as the deputy interior minister under President Mohammad Khatami, has a history of judicial confrontations and periods of incarceration stemming from his activism.

Political Prisoner Mostafa Ramezani Initiates Hunger Strike in Solitary Confinement

Mostafa Ramezani, a political prisoner, commenced a hunger strike at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on March 4, protesting his confinement in solitary quarters.

A reliable source close to Ramezani’s family disclosed this information to HRANA. According to the source, “Ramezani was transferred to solitary confinement as a punitive measure after a confrontation with prison guards on January 22, 2024. It has been more than 40 days since he has been held in solitary confinement.”

This political prisoner had been transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison on January 18, 2024.

Currently, in the third year of his sentence, Ramezani received an eight-year sentence for political charges, including “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

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Political Activist Maryam Sadat Yahyavi Initiates Prison Term

On March 3, 2024, political activist Maryam Sadat Yahyavi commenced her one-year imprisonment following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. A reliable source close to Sadat Yahyavi’s family has verified her confinement in Evin Prison.

Sadat Yahyavi was initially arrested at her residence on November 2, 2014, by security forces. After 17 days of detention in Evin Prison, she was released on bail.

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran had previously sentenced Yahyavi to nine years on charges such as “spreading propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security” during her arrest on November 2, 2014. However, this sentence was later reduced to one year following an appeal.

It is noteworthy that Sadat Yahyavi has faced previous arrests and judicial confrontations due to her active involvement in political activism.

Political Prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Continues Hunger Strike Amidst Deteriorating Health in Ghezel Hesar Prison

Political prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb persists in his hunger strike at Ghezel Hesar Prison, facing a decline in health.

A reliable source close to Ahmadi Ragheb confirmed his unwavering commitment to the hunger strike, revealing alarming symptoms such as low blood pressure, lethargy, and diminishing consciousness. The severity of his condition is evident, with his palm turning blue. Despite his deteriorating health, prison officials remain unresponsive to his demands, while judicial authorities have initiated two new legal cases, accusing him of propaganda against the regime.

The source stated that Ahmadi Ragheb initiated the hunger strike in protest against these legal charges and the increasing number of executions. His concerns have been met with indifference from the prison administration.

Ahmadi Ragheb’s arrest took place in March 2023, leading to his incarceration in Evin Prison. In May 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran imposed a five-year and eight-month prison sentence along with additional penalties. Notably, five years of this term are currently enforceable.

In September of the same year, he, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Ahmadi Ragheb has a history of previous convictions and imprisonments due to his commitment to peaceful activism. The current hunger strike underscores his continued resistance against perceived injustices and an appeal for attention to his grievances.

Update on the Condition of Political Prisoner Sarina Jahani in Evin Prison

Sarina Jahani, a political prisoner, is currently serving a two-year sentence at Evin Prison.

According to a source close to her family who informed HRANA, the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar convicted Jahani of “assembly and collusion against national security.” She began serving this prison term on February 6, 2024.

Twenty-year-old Jahani was apprehended by security forces in Shahriar on September 16, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. Initially held at Qarchak Prison in Varamin, she was later transferred to Evin Prison. On November 4, 2023, she was granted release on bail.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Parvin Initiates Hunger Strike in Protest of Unlawful Detention

On February 24, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Morteza Parvin commenced a hunger strike at Evin Prison to protest his detention.

A source close to Parvin’s family, informing HRANA of his decision, revealed that on February 23, Parvin notified his family of the charge he faces – “assembly and collusion against national security.” In a phone call, Parvin expressed his refusal to cooperate with the interrogation, asserting, “They are insisting on linking me to people with whom I have never been associated. I have declined interrogation so far and will continue to do so. Despite the interrogators’ requests for me to sign interrogation sheets, I informed them that I would speak only during the hearing in the presence of the judge. In protest against my unlawful detention, I will initiate a hunger strike tomorrow.”

According to this source, Parvin’s well-being during the hunger strike is further complicated by a lumbar disc issue, heightening concern for his family.

Security forces detained Parvin in Ardabil on February 6, and after a few days, he informed his family of his transfer to Evin Prison. This incident is not the first time Parvin has faced arrest due to his involvement as an Azerbaijani-Turk activist.

Civil Rights Activist Narges Mansouri Receives Three-Year Prison Sentence

Narges Mansouri, a civil rights activist and member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, has been handed a three-year imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The legal case leading to this verdict was initiated during her imprisonment, and she is currently confined in Evin Prison.

The charges against Mansouri include “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” A source close to her family has confirmed the issuance of this sentence, expressing concern over her well-being as she has been denied phone calls for the past two months.

This recent imprisonment adds to Mansouri’s ongoing legal struggles. Previously, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her in October-November 2019 to a total of six years for the same charges. In 2022, she was arrested to commence serving this sentence.

In April of 2023, Mansouri was granted medical furlough upon posting bail of three billion tomans (approximately 60,000 dollars), allowing her temporary release until December 1, 2023. However, security forces re-arrested her in Khoy County and transferred her back to Evin Prison.

Mansouri, aged 46 and a mother of a 12-year-old, continues to face legal challenges as her activism for civil rights persists. The denial of communication privileges and the renewal of her imprisonment raise concerns for her well-being.