Children’s Rights Activist Zohreh Sayadi Imprisoned in Evin Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Zohreh Sayadi, a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and a resident of Tehran, was sent to Evin Prison on May 30, 2023, to commence her one-year sentence. Despite her ongoing medical treatment and deteriorating health condition, authorities proceeded with her imprisonment, disregarding the unbearable toll it will have on her well-being.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld Sayadi’s one-year sentence on Monday, May 29, immediately summoning her for the execution of this prison sentence. The following day, Sayadi appeared before the court, only to be arrested and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. The source further revealed that Sayadi is battling cancer, and her incarceration has disrupted her critical medical treatment.

On December 10, 2019, security forces apprehended Sayadi at her Tehran residence, taking her to Evin Prison. After enduring a 13-day period in custody, she was finally released on bail.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.

Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh Tadrisi Go on Hunger Strike, Demanding Improved Prison Conditions

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi, who have endured more than 24 days of detention in Qarchak Prison, have resorted to a hunger strike in protest against the dismal conditions they face behind bars.

According to an informed source, these women are currently confined in Ward 5 of Qarchak Prison, located in Varamin. On Sunday, May 28, they commenced the hunger strike to draw attention to the inadequate conditions within the prison and the prison officials’ refusal to transfer them to Evin Prison.

Jalal Hosseini was apprehended by security forces during a teachers’ protest on May 9, 2023, while Tadrisi was arrested in Baharestan Square in Tehran on the same day. It is important to note that Tadrisi had previously been arrested twice during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending one month in Kachooie Prison and some time in Evin Prison.

The specific allegations against these women remain unknown.

Sepideh Rashnu Faces Arraignment at Evin Courthouse

Sepideh Rashnu, a student who has been vocal about her opposition to compulsory hijab, was arraigned at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Rashnu faces charges of “provoking promiscuity and engaging in propaganda against the regime.” Following her arraignment, she was briefly held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released upon posting a one-billion bail. However, she is now prohibited from leaving Tehran.

Speaking about the accusations, Rashnu clarified, “Merely sharing a few photos of myself without a headscarf on my personal page does not justify their claims of promoting promiscuity and immodesty. Nor does it imply an association with everyone I follow on social media.”

This is not the first instance where Rashnu has encountered legal troubles due to her refusal to comply with hijab rules. She had previously received a two-semester suspension from the university. Furthermore, on July 16, she was arrested by security forces following an altercation on a city bus, during which she was harassed and physically assaulted by a woman who deemed her hijab improper.

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to over Five Years and Additional Punishments

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- In a recent development, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a civil rights activist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years and eight months of imprisonment along with additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court states that Ahmadi Ragheb has been sentenced to five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Furthermore, he has been subjected to restrictions, including a ban on engaging in civil and political activities, using a cell phone, and traveling abroad for a period of two years.
If the verdict is upheld during the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial count of five years in prison will be enforced.

An informed source, speaking with HRANA, revealed that “Previously, Ahmadi Ragheb had refused to attend the court due to being subjected to handcuffs and ankle cuffs during the transfer. Yesterday, he was brought to the court with handcuffs and informed that the verdict had been issued in absentia as he had been absent from the court proceedings on three occasions.”

The source further added, “Following the reception of this verdict, Ahmadi Ragheb has requested a retrial. It is important to note that he has been facing these legal actions based on a complaint filed by an IRGC official.”

On February 3, 2023, Ahmadi Ragheb was released from Rajai Shahr prison after completing his previous sentence. However, in March 2023, he was re-arrested during a protest against poison attacks on schools and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

 

 

Sepideh Gholian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian has been sentenced to two years in prison, according to her brother Mehdi Gholian.

Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, shortly after being released from Evin Prison while on her way from Tehran to Dezful. She was taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison and then transferred to the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison four days later.

The allegations against Gholian, a prominent civil rights activist, remain unknown at this time.

Gholian has previously been arrested and convicted for her activism.

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Abdollah Momeni Detained in Solitary Confinement at Ward 209 of Evin Prison

On April 27th, political activist Abdollah Momeni was arrested by intelligence agents at his residence in Tehran and taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Momeni is being held in solitary confinement at Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Momeni’s son, Hamidreza Momeni, shared that his father was able to make a short call to the family and inform them of his current situation.

Security forces searched his house during the arrest and seized some of his personal belongings.

Momeni is a well-known former student activist who served as the spokesperson for the Alumni Association of Iran (Advar-e Tahkim Vahdat) organization two decades ago. In March 2014, he was released from Evin Prison after serving a five-year sentence.

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.

 

Political Activist Abdollah Momeni Arrested

Security forces arrested political activist Abdollah Momeni at his residence and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, On April 27, 2023, political activist Abdollah Momeni was arrested by security forces.

An informed source close to Momeni’s family told HRANA that agents searched his home and confiscated some of his belongings.

The reason for his arrest and the location of his detention are currently unknown.

Momeni is a prominent former student activist who served as the spokesperson for the Alumni Association of Iran (Advar-e Tahkim Vahdat) organization two decades ago. In March 2014, he was released from Evin Prison after serving a five-year sentence.

 

Former Political Prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh Arrested

On April 17, 2023, security forces arrested former political prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh in Tehran and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 17, 2023, Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh was arrested in Tehran.

The location of his detention and allegations are still unknown.

Yeganeh was also arrested by security forces over protests, for a short time on February 25, 2023.

The Ministry of Intelligence agents previously arrested Yeganeh in September 2017. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime, blasphemy, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” This verdict was upheld on appeal. Ultimately, on February 4, 2020, he was jailed in Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

After the fire incident at Evin Prison on October 15, 2022, Yeganeh was relocated to Rajai Shahr Prison, and after a while, he was released from jail without prior notice.

 

Iran Protests: Three Members of Family Still Detained in Evin Prison

Nasrollah Fallahi and his son and daughter, Ardavan and Arghavan, are still detained in Evin Prison, awaiting further legal proceedings. They were arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three members of a family, arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests, are in detention in Evin prison with an unclear status of due prosses.

According to attorney Erfan Karam-Veisi, they have been charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth through widespread actions against the country” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime.” This lawyer said that judicial officials did not allow him to represent this family.
Also, an informed source close to this family told HRANA, “The Investigation Office has held two sessions so far. However, they have not yet been indicted.”
On November 3, 2022, Ardavan Fallahi, age 24, was arrested in Isfahan and his father, age 66, and sister, age 22, the next day in Shiraz. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.