Tag: Evin Prison

Former Political Prisoner Milad Arsanjani Arrested Once Again

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Milad Arsanjani

On July 2, 2023, Milad Arsanjani, a former political prisoner who had previously been detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, was once again apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Arsanjani was arrested at his father’s residence. The specific reasons for his arrest have not yet been disclosed.

Arsanjani had previously been arrested in September 2022 during the nationwide protests and subsequently imprisoned in Evin Prison. From January 9 to 12, 2023, he was temporarily transferred to a Police Criminal Investigation Department detention facility. This political prisoner was later released from Evin Prison under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

It is worth noting that Arsanjani has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Update on Zohreh Sarve’s Health Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, irgc, Zohreh Sarv

Political prisoner Zohreh Sarv is serving her six-year sentence in Evin Prison. Zohreh Sarve’s medical condition in Evin Prison has raised concerns, as reported by a reliable source who spoke to HRANA.

She is currently suffering from knee injuries and potential breast cysts, requiring medical treatment such as sonography and MRI tests. Despite the approval of the head of the prison infirmary, prison officials have denied her request to be transported to a hospital for the necessary treatments.

In September 2021, Sarve was arrested by security forces and initially held in IRGC ward A-1. Following the conclusion of the interrogation process, she was transferred to Evin Prison after one month.

Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a seven-year sentence for Sarve, charging her with “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The prison term is enforceable for a duration of six years.

It is important to note that Sarve has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. Prior to her arrest, she was actively engaged on social media platforms.

 

Multiple Individuals Arrested for Participation in Clubhouse Communities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Abdi Ahraz, Amir Akhavan, Clubhouse, Danial Amin, Evin Prison, Farhang Azadmanesh, HRANA, Mahvash Seydali, Narges Seydali, Nima Avidnia, Sarvenaz Misaghian

Security forces have recently apprehended a number of individuals who were actively engaged in social media communities on Clubhouse. Among those detained are Mahvash (Sayeh) Seydali, Sarvenaz Misaghian, Danial Amin, Amir Akhavan, Nima Avidnia, Farhang Azadmanesh, and Alireza Abdi Ahraz.

Despite the passing of six days since their arrests, there is still a lack of information regarding the whereabouts of some of these individuals.

According to reports obtained from HRANA, Alireza Abdi is currently incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Additionally, Narges Seydali confirmed her sister Mahvash Seydali’s arrest through a social media post. However, the specific reasons behind their arrests and the allegations against them remain undisclosed.

Clubhouse, a social audio app, is widely utilized by many Iranians who actively express their opinions and engage in discussions on various topics.

Update on Maziar Seyednejad’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Evin Prison, irgc, Maziar Seyednejad, workers rights activist

Maziar Seyednejad, an advocate for workers’ rights, remains confined to Ward 6 of Evin Prison since the commencement of his sentence on May 21, 2023.

In January 2023, Maziar Seyednejad received a sentence from Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which included two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he has been prohibited from leaving the country, engaging in political and civil associations, and participating in online social activities for a duration of two years. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the two-year sentence for the aforementioned charge has been enforced.

However, it is worth noting that Seyednejad has publicly stated that, when considering his previous three-year sentence in Ahvaz, he expects to serve a total of five years.

Seyednejad’s arrest took place on June 7, 2021, when security forces apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. He was subsequently transferred to IRGC’s detention facility in Evin Prison, specifically Ward 2-A. On August 16, 2021, he was granted temporary release upon posting a 600-million-toman bail, pending the conclusion of his legal proceedings.

It is important to mention that Seyednejad has faced prior arrests and convictions due to his unwavering commitment to civil activism.

 

Baha’i Citizen Hami Bahadori Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, Hami Bahadori

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Hami Bahadori, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently being held in Evin Prison.

On June 21, Judge Salavati, presiding over branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, issued a verdict stating that Bahadori is to serve five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, Bahadori has been banned from leaving the country for two years, and some of his and his wife’s belongings have been confiscated.

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five-year prison term for the charge of “assembly and collusion” will be enforceable.

According to a reliable source, Bahadori was not provided with prior notice of his trial and was denied the presence of his lawyer. He received this verdict immediately following the court session.

Bahadori was arrested by security forces on October 22, 2022, and subsequently detained in Evin Prison. Recently, he expressed his grievances about the unjust treatment of religious minorities within the judicial system through a written letter.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

 

 

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Journalist Zahra Tohidi Faces Additional Charges While Incarcerated

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hoda Tohidi, Zahra Tohidi

Journalist Zahra Tohidi is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison. On June 20, she was indicted with new charges at Evin Courthouse.

According to her husband, Alireza Khoshbakht, Zahra was accused of “propaganda against the regime.” The prosecution presented her Instagram posts as evidence during the hearing.

Zahra and her sister, Hoda (Zohreh) Tohidi, were initially arrested on September 22, 2022, by security forces in Tehran. They were released on bail on December 17, 2022.

Subsequently, the sisters received a five-year prison sentence each for “assembly and collusion against national security.” However, three-quarters of their sentence were suspended. After pleading no contest, a further reduction of one-quarter was granted.

On May 31, 2023, Zahra and Hoda Tohidi began serving their sentence at Evin Prison.

 

Background on 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. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Former Political Prisoner Reza Akbari Monfared Sentenced to Five Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Reza Akbari-Monfared, Tehran

Reza Akbari Monfared, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. His arrest took place in March 2023, and he has since been held in Evin Prison, Tehran.

Akbari Monfared was recently informed about the verdict, although the specific charges against him remain undisclosed. This is not the first time he has faced legal action for his activism, as he previously served a five-and-a-half-year sentence from 2013 to 2018.

Writer and Translator Taimaz Afsari Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Taimaz Afsari

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On June 17, 2023, Taimaz Afsari, a writer and translator, was arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to Evin Prison.

A reliable source told HRANA that, Afsari was apprehended violently at his residence.

The reasons for his arrest and the allegation against him are currently unknown. According to an unverified report, the agent have search his house and confiscated some of his electronic belonging.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Faces New Legal Case During Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Eyvanki, Izeh, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Mohammad Nourizad, Tabas, Tehran

Imprisoned civil rights activist Mohammad Nourizad has been brought to trial for a new legal case while serving his existing sentence. The Tehran Revolutionary Court conducted a session on June 14, 2023, to address the charges against him.

According to Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Nourizad’s lawyer, his client is facing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime, and destruction of property within the prison head’s office.”

The initial phase of Nourizad’s legal case began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for his involvement in issuing an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In this first case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. While the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support towards Baha’i citizens of Eyvanki in Semnan Province.

Regarding the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order,” and an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was also upheld on appeal.

On November 17, 2021, Nourizad was released from Evin Prison based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to complete his remaining sentence.

Nourizad’s history includes prior arrests and convictions related to his peaceful activism. He is a renowned filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Abolhassani Brutally Assaulted by Prison Guards

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News, Prisoners
Choobindar Prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Abolhassani, Qazvin

On June 12, 2023, Mohammad Abolhassani, a civil rights activist, was subjected to a violent attack by prison guards at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin Province. The assault occurred after Abolhassani voiced his concerns about the deplorable conditions within the prison.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that Abolhassani was confronted by a prison officer, leading to a physical altercation involving the deputy head of the prison and two other guards. The incident resulted in Abolhassani losing consciousness, after which he was taken to the prison infirmary. He later regained consciousness.

Presently serving his sentence at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin, Abolhassani is housed among inmates convicted of violent crimes, contrary to prison regulations. Moreover, he has been subjected to limitations when making phone calls, including the mandatory presence of prison guards during these conversations.

In January 2021, Abolhassani while serving his sentence for a previous legal case, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison term, he was assigned four hours of penal labor per day for four months. This ruling was subsequently upheld on appeal.

On January 1, 2022, Abolhassani was transferred to Evin Prison to commence his sentence.
In October 2022, he found himself facing further legal actions, resulting in an additional four-year imprisonment term.
On February 6, 2023, he was violently relocated from Evin Prison to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.