Tag: Evin Prison

Political Prisoner Ali Maghsadjoo Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Ali Maghsadjoo, Evin Prison, HRANA

Ali Maghsadjoo, a political prisoner, is currently serving an 18-month sentence in Evin Prison and has been denied necessary medical care despite suffering from significant health issues.

According to a source close to his family, speaking to HRANA, Maghsadjoo requires treatment for back and knee problems that necessitate attention from a hospital outside the prison environment. However, prison authorities have consistently refused to allow him hospital access.

Maghsadjoo was initially detained by security forces on July 6, 2022, and held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is managed by the Ministry of Intelligence. He was formally charged after three months and temporarily released on bail. Judge Abolghasem Salavati of Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years on charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “collecting and leaking classified data.” This sentence was later reduced to 18 months following a plea of no contest.

The 48-year-old father of two began his incarceration at Evin Prison on June 24, 2023.

Appellate Court Upholds One-Year Sentence for Political Activist Reza Ramezanzadeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Reza Ramezanzadeh, Tehran

Branch 36 of the Tehran Appellate Court has upheld a one-year prison sentence for Reza Ramezanzadeh.

The sentence was originally imposed by Branch 24 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which convicted Ramezanzadeh of “disseminating false information” related to reporting on the conditions of prisoners.

Ramezanzadeh was initially detained in late February 2024 after attending a hearing at the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. He was released on bail three days later.

This incident marks another chapter in Ramezanzadeh’s history of arrests and legal challenges stemming from his political activism.

Abdolghani Darvishi’s Sentence Reduced on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolghani Darvishi, Evin Prison, Urmia, Urmia prison

The Appellate Court of West Azerbaijan Province has reduced Abdolghani Darvishi’s prison sentence from five years to two years and six months. Originally convicted on political charges for “collaboration with anti-regime groups,” his sentence is now suspended for two years.

Darvishi was first detained by security forces on May 22, 2020, in Urmia and subsequently held in Tehran’s Evin prison, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence. After a month, he was moved back to a detention center in Urmia and later placed in solitary confinement on October 22, 2020, at Urmia Prison.

He was released on bail from Urmia Prison on March 2, 2021. Darvishi, a resident of Urmia and a father of two, continues to reside there with his family.

Political Defendants Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi Stage Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Baha'is Graveyard in Sanandaj, Evin Prison, Mahabad, Pakhshan Azizi, Salavati, Varisheh Moradi

Varisheh (Varisha) Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi have initiated a hunger strike in Evin Prison to protest prolonged detention without a court hearing and Moradi’s relocation to security Ward 209, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

Despite being detained for nine months, there has been no clarity in their legal proceedings.

Confirming their hunger strike, a source close to their families informed HRANA that Moradi was recently banned from making phone calls and family visits by the order of Judge Abolqasem Salavati. She was moved from the Women’s Ward to Ward 209 on May 14, and both Azizi and Moradi initiated their hunger strike the following day.

Moradi was apprehended by security forces on August 1, 2023, in the suburbs of Sanandaj. Later in August, she was transferred from a detention facility in Sanandaj to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After completing the interrogation process on December 26, 2023, she was relocated to the Women’s Ward within the prison.

In February 2024, Moradi was indicted by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of armed rebellion (Baghi) due to suspected membership in a political opposition party. However, the court session was annulled due to the absence of the counselor.

Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested on August 4, 2023, by security forces in Tehran. She was interrogated for four months in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being relocated to the Women’s Ward. In February 2024, Azizi was also indicted for “membership in anti-regime groups,” under review by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari.

This is not the first time Azizi has faced arrest and judicial confrontation, as she was previously arrested by security forces on November 16, 2009, and detained for four months until her release on bail.

Union Activist Hassan Saeedi Sentenced to Over Four Years

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hassan Saeedi

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company has reported that one of its members, Hassan Saeedi, has been sentenced to four years and one month in prison following a retrial.

Saeedi, who is currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, initially received a six-year sentence. However, his request for a retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court of Iran, and the case was reassigned to another court branch for review. This new review resulted in a reduced sentence of four years and one month.

On May 18, 2022, security forces arrested Saeedi at his home. They also searched his residence and confiscated several of his belongings. He was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison, a travel ban, a ban on joining political parties, restricted use of social media, and a prohibition from residing in Tehran Province and neighboring provinces for two years. This original verdict was upheld on appeal.

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Political Prisoner Kazem Alinejad Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Kazem Alinejad, کاظم علینژاد

Branch 36 of the Appellate Court of Tehran sentenced Kazem Alinejad to five years in prison. He is currently held in Evin Prison, where he is being denied access to adequate medical care despite his poor health.

Alinejad received this sentence for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” He has been acquitted of charges of “blasphemy” and “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to Alinejad’s family told HRANA that Alinejad suffers from several health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and diabetes. Despite this, he has been denied proper medical care in an external hospital.

In early January 2024, Alinejad was sentenced to eleven years in prison in a legal case alongside ten other political defendants. The sentence was handed down by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. It included five years for blasphemy, five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additional punishments included a ban on residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces for two years, a two-year ban on membership in political or civil groups, and the confiscation of his cell phone.

Kazem Alinejad Baraloo has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Farahnaz Nik-Khoo Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Evin Prison, Farahnaz Nik-Khoo, Farahnaz Nikkhoo, irgc, judge Salavati, Tehran

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Farahnaz Nik-Khoo to ten years in prison on political charges.

Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati, sentenced Nik-Khoo to ten years for “acting against national security through espionage.”

On December 3, 2022, IRGC Intelligence arrested Nik-Khoo at Tehran airport as she was attempting to leave the country. She was initially detained in Evin Prison, and after seven months, on April 30, 2023, she was moved to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The exact nature of the activities leading to these charges remains unclear.

A reliable source previously informed HRANA that Nik-Khoo was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, and interrogated for two weeks. Meanwhile, the case is under the purview of IRGC intelligence.

Nik-Khoo, 50 years old, is a retired employee of the national telecommunications company.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Asghar Faraji’s Health Concerns in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Asghar Faraji, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Tehran, اصغر فرجی

Azerbaijani-Turk activist Asghar Faraji is serving his sentence in Evin Prison and is reportedly suffering from poor health. Despite his medical needs, he has been denied adequate care.

A source close to Faraji’s family informed HRANA that Faraji suffers from severe back pain. His and his family’s repeated requests for treatment at an external clinic have been ignored.

Faraji was arrested by security forces in 2019 and later released on bail, pending further legal proceedings.

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran initially sentenced Faraji to seven years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” six years for “membership in unlawful anti-regime groups,” three years for “disturbing public opinion,” and one year and four months for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling 17 years and four months imprisonment. Additionally, he was sentenced to a two-year mandatory residence in a village in South Khorasan Province.

However, Branch 36 of the Appellate Court of Tehran later reduced the sentence to five years in prison.

Protest Rapper Vafa Ahmadpour Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iranian Rapper, Vafa Ahmadpour, Vafadar, وفا احمدپور

Vafa Ahmadpour, also known as Vafadar, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court.

Ahmadpour announced the conviction on social media, stating that he was found guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” His case has been handed over to the judgment enforcement unit.

Ahmadpour’s trial took place on April 14, 2024.

In late March of this year, Ahmadpour was arraigned at the Evin Courthouse for “propaganda against the regime,” “disseminating false information,” and “disturbing public opinion.” The court dismissed the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” due to insufficient evidence.

He was arrested on February 4, 2024, by security forces at his residence and detained for over 15 days before being released on bail from Evin Prison.

During his detention, PEN America issued a statement condemning Ahmadpour’s arrest and called for his immediate release.

Journalist Dina Ghalibaf Transferred to Evin Prison After Police Sexual Assault

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News, Prisoners, Students
Dina Ghalibaf, Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, دینا قالیباف

Dina Ghalibaf, a journalist and student at Shahid Beheshti University, was moved to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on April 21, 2024, following her arrest by security forces on April 16.

Civil rights activist Narges Mohammadi confirmed in a voice message from the prison that Ghalibaf showed signs of bruising and shared her account of being sexually assaulted.

On April 15, Ghalibaf shared on social media that she had been detained by police at a Tehran metro station for allegedly wearing an improper hijab. She described being taken to a room, where she endured electric shocks and sexual assault. This public account led to her arrest the next day by security forces.

The agency responsible for her arrest remains unknown.

Previously, Ghalibaf was summoned by the university’s disciplinary committee for participating in a protest against the execution of several individuals in the “House of Isfahan” legal case.

Ghalibaf has worked with various news outlets, including ISNA and Eghtesad Online.