Tag: Evin Prison

Iran Reduces Prison Sentences for Political Prisoners Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Younesi, Amirhossein Moradi, Evin Prison, Mostafa Nili, امیرحسین مرادی, علی یونسی

HRANA News Agency – Attorney Mostafa Nili has announced a reduction in the prison sentences of Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi, two political prisoners. Following the Supreme Court’s approval of their retrial, a parallel judicial branch lowered their maximum sentences from 10 years to 6 years and 8 months. Previously, they had been sentenced to a combined total of 32 years in prison.

According to Nili, this reduction was first applied to Amirhossein Moradi and has now been extended to Ali Younesi as well.

On June 25, 2022, more than two years after their arrest, Younesi and Moradi were transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) to the prison’s general ward.

In May 2022, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld their original convictions. The two Sharif University of Technology students had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for destruction and arson of public property as their most serious charge. They also received 5 years for conspiracy against national security and 1 year for propaganda against the regime.

Arrest and Allegations

Ali Younesi, a computer engineering student, and Amirhossein Moradi, a physics student, were arrested on April 10, 2020, by Ministry of Intelligence agents. The arrest, conducted by plainclothes officers without a judicial warrant and involving physical violence, sparked widespread condemnation.

On May 5, 2020, Gholamhossein Esmaeili, spokesperson for Iran’s Judiciary, accused them of collaborating with an opposition group (MEK). Shortly after, Aida Younesi, Ali Younesi’s sister, publicly rejected these allegations, attributing them to their parents’ history as former political prisoners in the 1980s.

Academic Achievements

Amirhossein Moradi won the silver medal in Iran’s 2017 National Astronomy Olympiad, while Ali Younesi won the silver medal in 2016 and the gold medal in 2017. Younesi also won gold in the 12th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, held in China, securing first place in the competition.

Their arrests and heavy sentences have drawn international criticism, with human rights organizations calling for their immediate release.

74 Lashes Sentence for Singer Mehdi Yarrahi Carried Out in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, flogging, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Yarahi, Mehdi Yarrahi, Tehran, مهدی یراحی

HRANA News Agency – Today, March 5, 2025, the sentence of 74 lashes for singer and composer Mehdi Yarrahi was carried out at Tehran’s Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office.

His lawyer, Zahra Minooie, stated:
“Today, on March 5, 2025, the final part of the rulings issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, consisting of 74 lashes, was fully executed at Branch 4 of the Sentence Enforcement Office of the Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. As a result, Mr. Mehdi Yarrahi’s case has been closed.”

In December 2024, Yarrahi’s one-year prison sentence, which had been converted to electronic ankle monitoring, ended, leading to his release. However, the return of his 15 billion toman bail was contingent on the execution of his flogging sentence.

On September 26, 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Yarrahi to two years and eight months in prison and 74 lashes on charges of:

. Propaganda against the regime
. Encouraging corruption and depravity
. Producing and distributing immoral content
. Inciting and encouraging acts against public morality through online platforms

The Tehran Court of Appeals later upheld the verdict. Eventually, on February 20, 2024, his sentence was carried out under movement restrictions via electronic ankle monitoring.

Mehdi Yarrahi was initially arrested on August 28, 2023, following the release of his song “Roo Sarito” (Your Headscarf) by order of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office. He was later released on bail from Evin Prison in October of that year.

Notably, due to his support for the 2022 nationwide protests, the Tehran Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously declared him “prohibited from financial transactions.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments such as flogging and amputation. However, in 2024, HRANA documented at least three cases where flogging sentences were carried out, totaling 106 lashes. Additionally, at least 131 individuals were sentenced to a combined 9,957 lashes by the Iranian judiciary.

Furthermore, four individuals had their hand amputation sentences executed, while four others were sentenced to amputation.
For detailed statistics and further insights, read HRANA’s 2024 Annual Report

Esmail Fekri and Mohsen Langarneshin Transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison; One Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Esmail Fekri, Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mohsen Langarneshin

HRANA News Agency – Esmail Fekri, a prisoner sentenced to death on espionage charges, and Mohsen Langarneshin, another prisoner facing similar accusations, were transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on February 15.

Both prisoners are currently being held in the quarantine section of Unit Three at Ghezel Hesar. Fekri has been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court, while Langarneshin has been ordered to pay financial restitution and a monetary fine for the same charge.

A source close to the prisoners told HRANA:
“It is possible that Mohsen Langarneshin has additional sentences that have not yet been publicly disclosed.”

Before their transfer, the two detainees were held in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

Details regarding their cases and backgrounds remain unclear. HRANA will provide updates as more information becomes available.

While espionage-related offenses are not inherently considered human rights violations, Iran has a longstanding pattern of using such allegations to target political opponents. The lack of transparency in these cases, particularly regarding evidence, legal proceedings, and access to defense rights, raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of the charges.

Prisoners accused of espionage in Iran often face severe restrictions and are deprived of fundamental rights. Past cases have revealed denial of legal representation, closed-door trials, and disproportionately harsh sentences imposed without due process.

Nayereh Behnoud Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Nayereh Behnoud, ward 209

HRANA News Agency – Nayereh Behnoud, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Behnoud was sentenced to imprisonment on charges including “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion through membership in opposition groups.”

A source familiar with her case confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “Ms. Behnoud has submitted a request for compliance with the verdict and is currently awaiting the court’s response.”

Nayereh Behnoud was arrested by security forces in Tehran in September of 2024.

Following approximately one month of interrogation at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was transferred to the women’s ward of the prison on October 21, 2024.

Masoumeh Asgari Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Masoumeh Asgari, Masoumeh Askari

HRANA News Agency – Masoumeh Asgari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the verdict was issued by Judge Iman Afshari and formally communicated to Asgari. She was convicted on charges of “propaganda through collaboration with anti-state groups” and “membership in opposition groups.”

A source close to Asgari’s family previously confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“She is experiencing poor mental health conditions in prison, and her family has submitted her medical records to the court.”

Asgari was arrested by security forces in Tehran in August 2024.

Following two months of interrogation in a solitary confinement cell at Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by the Ministry of Intelligence, she was transferred to the women’s ward on September 25, 2024.

A source familiar with her case told HRANA:
“Her medical records, which have been provided to judicial authorities and the prison’s medical center, confirm that she suffers from bipolar disorder and severe mental instability.”

Masoumeh (Askari) Asgari, 55 years old, is a retired teacher and the sole guardian of her 20-year-old son. She has previously been arrested and sentenced for her activism.

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Supreme Court Rejects Retrial for Political Prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou, Behrouz Ehsani, Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mehdi Hasani, Mehdi Hassani, moharebeh

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court’s Branch 39 has rejected the retrial request for political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani, who are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. The two were sentenced to death by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court in September 2024. Their executions had recently been halted following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of their lawyer’s retrial request.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has now denied their retrial. This decision was verbally communicated to Mehdi Hasani’s lawyer today.

On January 26, 2025, the two political prisoners were transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison under the pretext of medical treatment. Their executions had been temporarily suspended after their retrial request was officially submitted and accepted by the Supreme Court.

The two were sentenced to death in late September 2024 by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi),” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth,” collecting classified information, and collusion against national security. Their alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) was cited as evidence against them.

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.

67-Year-Old Political Prisoner Asadollah Hadi Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Asadollah Hadi, Evin Prison, HRANA

HRANA News Agency – Despite severe health issues and a forensic medical report confirming his inability to endure imprisonment, 67-year-old political prisoner Asadollah Hadi remains incarcerated in Evin Prison. He has been denied specialized medical treatment, phone calls, and family visits.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Asadollah Hadi continues to serve his sentence in Evin Prison without access to proper medical care.

A source close to Hadi’s family told HRANA: “Mr. Hadi suffers from cardiovascular diseases, herniated cervical and lumbar discs (which required surgery and metal implants), knee problems, hearing loss, kidney stones, and a brain condition that causes headaches and fainting. Nine years ago, the Social Security Organization confirmed that he is 63% disabled. Despite medical professionals acknowledging the severity of his condition, the forensic medical examiner ruled him unfit to endure imprisonment. However, higher authorities ordered the closure of his medical case, preventing his family from pursuing further action. He remains in urgent need of specialized treatment.”

The source added that since his arrest, Hadi has only been transferred to the hospital twice. In recent months, he has been denied family visits and phone calls. Last week, his family was once again barred from seeing him.

Hadi has previously undergone three angiographies and one open-heart surgery. In 2015, while serving a prior prison sentence, he underwent spinal surgery due to herniated cervical and lumbar discs that had affected his spinal cord, resulting in the implantation of metal screws and plates.

Asadollah Hadi was arrested on September 29, 2022, during the nationwide protests. He was initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for repeated interrogations before being transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison after 45 days. Six months later, he was moved back to Evin Prison.

Without access to legal representation, Hadi was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, to a total of seven years and seven months in prison on charges of “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” His sentence was later reduced to five years by the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Hadi, a former political prisoner from the 1980s, has a history of previous arrests and convictions.

Gelareh Abbasi Arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence and Transferred to Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Gelareh Abbasi, HRANA, Iman Afshari, گلاره عباسی

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, February 19, Gelareh Abbasi, a political defendant, was arrested in Tehran by Ministry of Intelligence forces and transferred to Evin Prison.

A source close to Abbasi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “On the morning of February 19, Ms. Abbasi was arrested at her private residence in western Tehran by Ministry of Intelligence agents. During the arrest, the agents searched her home and confiscated her electronic devices and mobile phone. Ms. Abbasi suffers from a heart condition.”

Abbasi had previously been sentenced to two years and six months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

After serving several months in prison, she was released from Evin Prison in February 2023.

Gelareh Abbasi, 48, is a former political prisoner, a mother to a young daughter, and the sole breadwinner of her household.

Minoo Roozehdar Still in Limbo 25 Days After Arrest

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Minou Roozehdar, مینو روزه دار

HRANA News Agency – Minoo Roozehdar, a Tehran resident, remains in legal uncertainty in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, 25 days after her arrest. She was recently charged at Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “She was recently charged at Branch 5 of Evin Prosecutor’s Office with ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.’”

Roozehdar was arrested on January 20, 2025, by security forces in Tehran and taken to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility, known as Ward 1-A. After a week, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Roozehdar is a mother of three and remains in detention without clarity on the next steps in her case.

Uncertainty in Retrial Process: Latest Update on the Case of Behfar Lalehzari

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Lalehzari, Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, ایمان افشاری, بهفر لاله زاری

HRANA News Agency – Behfar Lalehzari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been waiting for nearly nine months for a decision on his retrial request at Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

A source close to Lalehzari’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“Mr. Lalehzari submitted his retrial request nearly nine months ago, but Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has yet to review it. In protest against this negligence, he will begin a hunger strike.”

Lalehzari, who suffers from multiple health issues, has submitted nine requests for medical furlough, all of which have been denied by prison officials.

On September 18, 2023, security forces arrested Behfar Lalehzari at his home. After seven days in solitary confinement at the Security Police detention facility, he was transferred to Evin Prison.

Later, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced him to four years in prison for “assembly and collusion against internal security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling five years. The verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.