Political Prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh Receives Five Years and Eight Months Sentence

Khaled Pirzadeh, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed a five-year and eight-month sentence by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari ruled that Pirzadeh must serve five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” If the verdict is upheld on appeal, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which dictates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, Pirzadeh will spend five years in prison.

As per HRANA reports, Pirzadeh has been acquitted of charges related to “disseminating false information” and “illegal acquisition of property.”

Khaled Pirzadeh was apprehended by security forces in Ahvaz in September 2023 and subsequently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison under the Ministry of Intelligence. Later, he was moved to Ward 6 within the same prison.

On November 14, 2023, Pirzadeh was hospitalized due to deteriorating health conditions.

It is noteworthy that Pirzadeh has faced previous arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

Judo Coach Kaveh Amiri Arrested in Shahriar

On January 2, 2024, Kaveh Amiri was apprehended by security forces after his appearance at the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar.

A source close to his family verified Amiri’s arrest following his court appearance. Post-arrest, agents reportedly conducted searches at both his residence and his mother’s house.

The precise location of his current detention remains undisclosed.

Amiri’s initial arrest occurred on September 10 of the same year, after a summons and interrogation by the Security Police of Shahriar County. Within 24 hours, he was transferred to Evin Prison and subsequently released on bail on September 13.

Following legal proceedings, Amiri was later sentenced to eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” a verdict that withstood appeal.

At 39 years old, Amiri is a judo coach and resident of Shahriar. The circumstances surrounding his recent arrest and the charges brought against him remain a cause for concern.

Three Political Defendants Face Varied Penalties Following Convictions

In the wake of political charges, Ehsan Ghadiri, Sajjad Bakhsh-Ali, and Hamed Mohagheghi have received a range of sentences, including imprisonment, exile, fines, and additional social restrictions.

As per the Tehran Revolutionary Court’s verdict, delivered under the authority of Judge Iman Afshari, the trio has been sentenced to a one-year prison term, mandatory two-year exile, and a prohibition from engaging in online activities and social media.

The charges against these political figures include assembly and collusion to commit crimes, as well as propagating against the regime.

Ghadiri, taken into custody by security forces at his residence on September 14, 2023, was subsequently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. The arrests of Bakhsh-Ali and Mohagheghi occurred during August and September 2023, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings.

Activist Couple Laleh Zari and Ahmad-Khan Beigi Receive Combined 10-Year Prison Sentence

In a recent development, the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a five-year sentence to each of Behfar Laleh Zari and Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, a couple currently held in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari issued this ruling, sentencing each member of the couple to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code mandates that the four-year sentence for the first charge will be enforceable.

The arrest of Laleh Zari and Ahmad-Khan Beigi took place at their residence on September 18, 2023. Following seven days of solitary confinement in the detention facility of the Public Security Police, Laleh Zari, a former political prisoner, was transferred to Evin Prison. Meanwhile, Mrs. Ahmad-Khan Beigi was initially detained in Qarchak Prison and later moved to Evin Prison after a few days.

This couple has a history of activism, having faced prior arrests and incarceration. This latest sentencing adds to their ongoing legal challenges in their pursuit of social and political advocacy.

Civil Rights Advocate Mohammad Abolhassani Faces Imprisonment and Flogging

Mohammad Abolhassani, a civil rights advocate currently incarcerated in Choobindar Prison, has been handed a sentence of three months and 12 lashes for additional charges incurred during his imprisonment. The prison term has been converted to a monetary fine.

The sentence was imposed on Abolhassani under the allegation of “disturbing public opinions.”

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.

 

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Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Faces Eight-Year Prison Term

Arash Moradi, a Gonabadi Dervish currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Presiding over Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Judge Ali Mazloum detailed Moradi’s sentencing as follows: two years for “disturbing public opinions,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” three years for “blasphemy,” and two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Court of Iran.” The cumulative punishment amounts to eight years of imprisonment.

Citing Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that the most severe penalty should be applied in cases involving multiple charges, Moradi is slated to serve three years in prison.

A reliable source close to Moradi’s family informed HRANA of a notable development during the legal proceedings, where the charge of “disseminating false information” was altered to “disturbing public opinions.”

Furthermore, the court had previously dismissed charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “inciting people to violence.”

Moradi was apprehended on October 17 by security forces at his workplace in Kashan and subsequently confined to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

This is not Moradi’s first encounter with the legal system, as he was previously detained during the 2018 Dervish protests, resulting in a one-year prison sentence. Following the completion of his sentence, Moradi was released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Workers’ Rights Advocate Foad Fathi Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence

Foad Fathi, an advocate for workers’ rights, has been handed a four-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

Notification from Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court outlined Fathi’s four-year imprisonment for charges including “membership in anti-regime groups, acting against national security, and propaganda against the regime.” Alongside the prison term, Fathi has been subjected to a two-year travel ban, prohibiting him from leaving the country. He is also restricted from participating in political or civil groups and residing in Tehran and its suburbs during this period.

Fathi was apprehended by security forces in Tehran and subsequently confined in Evin Prison on November 4, 2023. A resident of Tehran with roots in Sanandaj, Fathi has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism in championing workers’ rights.

Political Prisoner Zohreh Sarv Survives Suicide Attempt in Evin Prison

On December 12, Zohreh Sarv, a political prisoner confined in Evin Prison, made a suicide attempt using 30 Alprazolam pills. Following the incident, she received medical care at an external hospital before being returned to prison a few hours later.

Sources close to her family revealed that Sarv, already in poor health due to an ongoing hunger strike since November 23, was distressed by pressures and threats from prison officials. Despite her deteriorating health, she continues to be denied release on probation and medical furlough.

Currently serving a six-year sentence in Evin Prison, Sarv faces health issues, including knee injuries and potential breast cysts, requiring essential medical treatments such as sonography and MRI tests. Her requests for hospital transport have been denied by prison officials, despite approval from the prison infirmary’s head.

Sarv’s legal troubles began in September 2021 when she was arrested by security forces and initially held in IRGC ward A-1. Following a month of interrogation, she was transferred to Evin Prison. The Tehran Revolutionary Court later issued a seven-year sentence, citing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The sentence is enforceable for 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.

Three Female Political Prisoners Facing Charges of Armed Rebellion (Baghi)

On December 9 at Evin Courthouse, political prisoners Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, along with Nasim Gholami Fard, were indicted on charges of “armed rebellion (Baghi),” potentially carrying severe consequences. Their alleged collaboration with a political opposition party has been presented as evidence for this charge.

Former political prisoners Taghipour and Farsi were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21, while Gholami was apprehended in Tehran on accusations of collaborating with a political opposition party and subsequently detained in Evin Prison. The extent to which their legal cases are interconnected remains unclear.

During her incarceration, Gholami initiated a hunger strike, which concluded after receiving promises from authorities. Notably, in Iran’s legal system, the charge of Baghi carries potential penalties such as the death penalty, amputation of the right hand and left leg, and exile.

Both Taghipour and Farsi have a documented history of prior arrests and convictions related to their activism. The severity of the charges underscores the challenges faced by political prisoners in Iran’s judicial landscape.

Kaveh Amiri’s Eight-Month Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

The Tehran Court of Appeal has affirmed an eight-month sentence for Kaveh Amiri, a resident of Shahriar.

Amiri was found guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and the time served during his detention will be deducted from this prison term.
His arrest took place on September 10 of this year, following summons and interrogation by the Security Police of Shahriar County. Within one day, he was transferred to Evin Prison and subsequently released on bail on September 13.

Aged 39, Amiri is a judo coach and resident of Shahriar. The upheld sentence raises questions about the nature of the charges and the implications for freedom of expression.