Tag: Evin Prison

Arsham Rezaei Sentenced to Flogging and a Fine on Appeal

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News, Prisoners
Arsham Rezaei, Arsham Rezaie, Evin Prison, Fardis, flogging, Iman Afshari, Jamal al-Din Yassini, Karaj

Branch 41 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of 50 lashes and a monetary fine against Arsham Rezaei, a political prisoner in Evin Prison. The charges stem from a case initiated during his imprisonment.

Rezaei’s mother announced that Judge Seyed Jamal al-Din Yassini of Branch 41 confirmed her son’s conviction, which includes both the flogging and a fine of 16 million tomans. Another prisoner had accused Rezaei of insulting him and issuing death threats, which led to this case during his time in prison.

IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Arsham (Mahmoud) Rezaei at his home in Fardis, Karaj, on October 17, 2023, before transferring him to Evin Prison. His trial took place on December 25, 2023, where Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, alongside a 15-million-toman fine and other penalties.

Rezaei has a history of imprisonment due to his activism.

Flogging is considered a violation of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments. However, Iran continues to enforce such sentences despite widespread domestic and international criticism.

Five Female Prisoners Sentenced to 27 Months in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Narges Mohammadi, Pakhshan Azizi, Parivash Moslemi, Reza Rasaei, Tehran, Varishe Moradi

Varishe Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, Mahboobeh Rezaei, Narges Mohammadi, and Parivash Moslemi, all prisoners held in Evin Prison, have been sentenced to a total of 27 months and one day in prison in connection with a recently opened case against them.

The ruling, issued by Branch 2 of the Criminal Court at the Quds Judicial Complex in Tehran, was presided over by Judge Abolfazl Amiri Shahrabi. The verdict was delivered to the prisoners in Evin on Saturday, October 19. Pakhshan Azizi, Mahboobeh Rezaei, Narges Mohammadi, and Varishe Moradi each received six-month sentences, while Pariyoush Moslemi was sentenced to three months and one day. The charges against them included “assaulting officers” and “disobedience.” Ms. Moslemi was acquitted of “disturbing prison order,” and the other defendants were cleared of “property destruction.”

A source close to the family of one of the prisoners confirmed the news to HRANA, noting that “Only Ms. Moslemi attended the court session, while the other prisoners refused to appear in court.”

The case dates back to August 6, when inmates in Evin’s women’s ward protested after learning of the execution of Reza Rasaei, resulting in a clash with prison guards. Following the protest, several female prisoners, including these five, were barred from making phone calls or meeting with their families.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Abolqasem Salavati, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Behnam Babashpour, Evin Prison, Saeed Jamalzadeh, Salar Taher Afshar, Vadud Asadi

Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The sentence was issued based on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

In a recent post on his personal page, Mr. Taher Afshar confirmed that he was informed of his sentence in person.

His trial, along with that of fellow activist Vadud Asadi, took place on May 21, 2023, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. Both individuals faced charges in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Earlier, on April 20, a preliminary hearing was held for Mr. Taher Afshar and three other Azerbaijani-Turk activists—Vadud Asadi, Saeed Jamalzadeh, and Behnam Babashpour—at Branch 5 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

Mr. Taher Afshar was arrested by security forces in Urmia on February 6, 2024. He was then transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, a section managed by the Ministry of Intelligence, where he remained in detention for 22 days before being released on bail.

In a previous case, he was sentenced to six months in prison by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court. After serving part of that sentence, he has been under electronic monitoring with restrictions on his movement outside of prison. Recently, Mr. Taher Afshar was barred from employment with the Snapp platform due to a “disqualification” issued by Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (NAJA).

Report on the Latest Status of Political Prisoner Saeideh Ghorbanali in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Saeideh Ghorbanali, Shahriar, Tehran

Saeideh (Bahareh) Ghorbanali, a political prisoner, is currently serving a two-year prison sentence in Evin Prison, as upheld by the Tehran Court of Appeals. Her transfer to the women’s ward occurred on September 7, 2024, following her arrest to serve this sentence.

According to a source close to Ghorbanali’s family, who confirmed the details to HRANA, Ghorbanali has recently been denied in-person visits with her family by direct order of the prison warden.

Ghorbanali’s legal troubles began in early 2019 when she was first arrested by security forces in Shahriar. Shortly after her initial detention, she was released on bail.

She later faced trial alongside nine others in a joint case at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. In late 2019, Ghorbanali was sentenced to three years in prison on charges including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader.”

In May 2020, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Zargar, upheld her sentence. However, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, only the severest charge is applied, making Ghorbanali subject to two years of imprisonment.

Update on the Latest Status of Journalist Reza Valizadeh in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Abolqasem Salavati, Evin Prison, Reza Valizadeh

Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian journalist, has been arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after returning to Iran. Despite his extensive background with various media outlets, Valizadeh has been denied access to a lawyer since his detention.

Having lived abroad for several years, Valizadeh returned to Iran in February-March last year. Upon his arrival, he was interrogated by agents from the IRGC’s Intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence. Although released after making a formal pledge to appear for future proceedings, it has been reported that several months later, he was rearrested by a security agency roughly one month ago and sent to Evin Prison. Authorities have still not granted him legal representation.

A source close to Valizadeh’s family revealed that his case is currently being handled by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, overseen by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. To date, the specific charges against him remain undisclosed.

Prior to leaving Iran, Valizadeh was arrested in 2007 and later released on bail. He is suspected to hold dual citizenship and has worked with media organizations such as Radio France, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

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Over Eight Months of Detention: Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim Denied Bail and Legal Representation in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Evin Prison, HRANA, Qarchak, عظیمی قدیم

Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist and cleric, has been held in Evin Prison for over eight months without a clear legal outcome, as authorities continue to reject requests for his temporary release on bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Azimi Ghadim has now spent 248 days in detention without a formal resolution to his case. Despite repeated appeals, authorities have refused to convert his detention to bail. Furthermore, he has been denied access to legal counsel, limiting his ability to defend himself effectively.

A source close to Azimi Ghadim’s family confirmed to HRANA that he has gone on hunger strike twice since his arrest, protesting his prolonged detention and the lack of resolution in his case. This has raised serious concerns about his health and well-being.

In July 2024, a hearing was held at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by the notorious Judge Abolqasem Salavati, to review the charges against him. Azimi Ghadim defended himself against accusations of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.” Despite his defense, no resolution was reached, and his legal situation remains uncertain.

Azimi Ghadim was originally arrested on February 7, 2024, by security forces in Qarchak while traveling from Qom to Tehran. He was first taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 240 of Evin Prison, before being transferred to the general ward.

Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim has a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations related to his activism. His continued detention and denial of basic legal rights underscore the broader pattern of suppression faced by political and ethnic activists in Iran.

Two Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Sentenced to Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Rasht, Vadood Asadi, Yashar Nikroo

Azerbaijani-Turk activists, Vadood Asadi and Yashar Nikroo, have been sentenced to a total of six years and six months in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, Mr. Asadi received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” three years and six months for “membership in anti-regime groups,” and one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” Mr. Nikroo was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

In February 2024, Mr. Asadi was violently arrested by security forces in Rasht and transferred to Evin Prison later that month. He was released a few days afterward upon posting bail.

Yashar Nikroo Ahmad Gourabi, another Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Rasht, had previously faced formal charges at the Rasht Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

Sarvenaz Ahmadi on 17th Day of Hunger Strike in Evin Prison Over Denial of Medical Leave

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hunger Strike, Sarvenaz Ahmadi, Sarvnaz Ahmadi, سروناز احمدی

Sarvenaz Ahmadi, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison who suffers from mental health issues, has entered the 17th day of her hunger strike in protest against the denial of her request for medical leave.

A source close to the case confirmed to HRANA: “Ms. Ahmadi, who recently suffered another nervous breakdown, is now on the 17th day of her medication strike. Despite her deteriorating physical and mental condition, she has refused to take her prescribed medication, including sedatives. This has caused constant headaches, insomnia, and muscle spasms, and there is a risk of further nervous attacks.”

Ahmadi previously experienced a “panic attack” during a raid by security forces on the women’s ward of Evin Prison and was transferred to a hospital. Doctors had earlier suggested that Ms. Ahmadi’s condition could be linked to epilepsy and recommended that she receive proper medical attention outside the prison.

This children’s rights activist began her hunger strike on Saturday, September 7, in protest against the denial of her medical leave request and delays in receiving her necessary medication.

Ahmadi was arrested on April 28, 2023, ahead of International Workers’ Day, along with several labor and union activists, at the home of Mohammad Habibi, a teachers’ union activist, and was transferred to Evin Prison.

Ms. Ahmadi was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling six years. However, this sentence was later reduced to three years and six months by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

She had also been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was released on bail on December 7 of the same year.

Ahmadi holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran and is a dedicated children’s rights activist.

Political Prisoners Behrooz Ehsani and Mehdi Hasani Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Behrooz Ehsani, Behrouz Ehsani. Mehdi Hasani, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Hassani

Political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani and Mehdi Hasani have been sentenced to death. These verdicts were issued by Judge Iman Afshari, the head of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari and communicated to their lawyer, they have been sentenced to death. The charges against them include “armed rebellion (Baghi), enmity against God (Moharebeh), spreading corruption on earth (Efsad-e Fel-Arz), membership in the Mojahedin, gathering classified information, and assembly and collusion against national security.”

On Monday, November 28, 2022, Mr. Ehsani was arrested at his home in Tehran and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mr. Hasani was also arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan and was transferred to Evin Prison. Both individuals spent months in a state of uncertainty and incommunicado detention.

Behrooz Ehsani is 64 years old. Mehdi Hasani, aged around 48, is married and the father of two children. Before his arrest, he was active in the real estate sector.

Political Prisoner Maziar Seyednejad Transferred from Evin Prison to Hospital

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Maziar Seyednejad

Maziar Seyednejad, a workers’rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, was transferred to a hospital outside the prison today due to his deteriorating health.

Based on information received by HRANA, this political prisoner suffers from sciatica pain and was sent to Shahid Tajrish Hospital this morning.

Recently, Seyednejad was denied medical care and hospital transfer due to his refusal to wear prison clothes during his transfer, as prison authorities made excuses to prevent his hospital visit.

This workers’rights activist was arrested by security forces on June 7, 2021, at his home in Tehran and was taken to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center, known as Ward 2A of Evin Prison. He was eventually released on bail of 600 million tomans on August 16 of that year.

In December 2022, Maziar Seyednejad was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” As additional punishment, he was sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country, a ban on membership in parties and groups, and a ban on online activities. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a two-year prison term will be enforceable for him.

Finally, on May 21 of 2023, he was sent to Evin Prison to serve his two-year sentence and was subsequently transferred to Ward 6 of this prison. Seyednejad has a prior history of arrests and convictions due to his activism.