Tag: Evin Prison

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

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

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

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mahsa Amini, Sarina Jahani, Shahriar, سارینا جهانی

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

Posted on by . .
Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
Ardabil, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, HRANA, Morteza Parvin

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

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Narges Mansouri, Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company

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.

Five Individuals Receive Prison Sentences and Fines on Political Charges

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Kamran Rezaiefar, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, Parastoo Moeini, Teymour Rezaeian, Zahra Safaie

The Appeals Court of Tehran has issued a verdict sentencing Zahra Safaie, Mohammad Masoud Moeini (Zahra Safaie’s son), and Kamran Rezaiefar to a combined total of 12 years in prison. Parastoo Moeini (Zahra Safaie’s daughter) and Teymour Rezaeian, two other defendants in the case, have been fined.

The recent ruling, issued in early February, allocates five years of imprisonment each for Safaie and Rezaiefar, with Masoud Moeini receiving a two-year sentence. The initial conviction by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, was for “assembly and collusion against national security.” Notably, Masoud Moeini’s prison sentence has been reduced from five to two years, and Parastoo Moeini’s five-year sentence has been replaced with a fine.

The arrests took place on September 12, 2023, with Rezaeian apprehended one day later. Initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, they were later transferred to the IRGC’s detention center, known as A-1.

As per HRANA reports, Safaie is currently detained in the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison, while her son, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, and Rezaiefar are in Ward 4 of the same prison. Two other defendants have been released on bail

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Afshin Naziri Faces Imprisonment and Travel Restrictions Over Political Charges

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Afshin Naziri, Evin Prison, Pardis

Afshin Naziri has been handed a verdict by the Revolutionary Court of Pardis, resulting in a sentence of four years and nine months of imprisonment, coupled with a two-year travel ban.

The charges against Naziri include 33 months for “membership in groups acting against national security,” 16 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Additionally, as per the court’s decision, Naziri is prohibited from leaving the country for a duration of two years, and his cell phone has been ordered to be confiscated.

Naziri’s troubles began on August 27, 2023, when security forces arrested him at his residence, subsequently transferring him to Evin Prison. After enduring 12 days of detention, he was released on bond.

Three Political Prisoners Sentenced to a Combined 14 Years in Upheld Verdict

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Behfar Laleh Zari, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Qarchak Prison, Rezavaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Tehran, Varamin

The Appeals Court of Tehran has confirmed a joint 14-year prison sentence for political prisoners Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Rezavaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, and Behfar Laleh Zari.

As per the verdict endorsed by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court of Tehran, Laleh Zari and her husband Ahmad-Khan Beigi have each been given four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Haji-Mohammadi, on the other hand, received a four-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The initial ruling was handed down by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Iman Afshari.

On September 18, 2023, civil rights advocate, Ahmad-Khan Beigi and Laleh Zari were arrested at their residence by security forces. Laleh Zari, initially held in solitary confinement under Security Police custody, was later transferred to Evin Prison, while Ahmad-Khan Beigi was relocated to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, eventually being moved to Evin Prison.

Haji-Mohammadi’s arrest occurred in Tehran in September 2023. After seven days of solitary confinement under the Public Security Police, they were transferred to Evin Prison.

All three political prisoners have a history of arrests and convictions stemming from their engagement in political activism.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar and Rap Singer Milad Jalili Sentenced to a Total of 14 Months in Prison

Posted on by . .
Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Milad Jalili, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Tabriz Revolutionary Court

In a recent legal development, the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz has handed down a combined 14-month prison sentence to Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Milad Jalili, a rap singer.

As per the verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Taher Afshar has been sentenced to six months for “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili has received eight months for “propaganda against the regime through performing a political rap music supporting convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili has been acquitted of the charge of “acting against national security through inciting people to violence and riots.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Baha’i Educator Keyvan Rahimian Receives Nine-Year Prison Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Keyvan Rahimian, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Keyvan Rahimian, a Baha’i citizen and lecturer at an online university affiliated with the Baha’i community, has been sentenced to nine years in prison, accompanied by a fine and a six-year deprivation of social rights.

The verdict, issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, outlines a five-year sentence for “educational activities and propagating against Sharia Islam” and a four-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” Alongside the prison term, Rahimian has been prohibited from exercising social rights and ordered to pay a fine.

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code stipulates that five years of the prison term will be enforced, as it imposes the maximum prison term for one charge from multiple charges.

Rahimian was apprehended by security forces in Tehran on July 18, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin prison. His detention has been extended for four consecutive months, with Rahimian granted leave from November 25 to 29, 2023, to attend his mother’s funeral.

This is not the first time Rahimian has faced legal repercussions for his activism. In August 2017, he was released from Rajai Shahr Prison after completing a five-year sentence. The current sentence raises concerns about the ongoing suppression of Baha’i individuals engaged in educational and community activities.

Abdolrasoul Mortazavi Receives Two-Year Sentence in Prison for New Legal Case

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Dastgerd Prison, Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison

Political prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, currently serving an eleven-year sentence in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has been handed an additional two-year sentence for a new legal case initiated while in prison.

Confirming the recent ruling, a source close to Mortazavi’s family informed HRANA that the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years. The legal case was triggered by Mortazavi’s voice message titled “Joking with the world leader of the clowns,” recorded in Rajai Shahr Prison in April-May 2022.

In mid-August 2019, Mortazavi and 13 civil society activists penned an open letter urging Ayatollah Khamenei to step down, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence, with 11 years currently in effect. He is currently serving this sentence in Dastgerd Prison.

Additionally, Mortazavi was sentenced to an extra two years in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for alleged “propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order.”

An Iran-Iraq war-injured veteran, Mortazavi was initially incarcerated in Evin Prison. In March 2021, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison and later, in the following year, exiled to Dastgerd Prison.