Nirvana Torbati-Nejad Receives Ten-Month Sentence and Fine for Political Charges

Gorgan’s Criminal Court has recently issued a ten-month prison sentence and a fine to Nirvana Torbati-Nejad on political charges.

The verdict, delivered by Judge Abedi, was communicated to her lawyer, Haji Mashhadi, on January 6.

Torbati-Nejad has been convicted of “membership in anti-regime activities aimed at undermining national security,” resulting in a ten-month prison term. Additionally, she has been fined for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The events leading to her legal troubles trace back to September 10, 2023, when security forces apprehended Torbati-Nejad at her workplace. After spending 25 days in detention, she was released on bond.

Baha’i Citizen Nafisa Sa’adat Yar Receives Prison Sentence and Social Deprivations

The Revolutionary Court in Gorgan, Golestan Province, has sentenced Baha’i citizen Nafisa Saadat Yar to one year of imprisonment and imposed social deprivations.

As of the ruling issued on November 20, 2023, Sa’adat Yar is facing a one-year sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime” and an additional four years of social deprivations.

Nafisa Sa’adat Yar and her husband, Pouya Amri, were apprehended by security forces in January 2023, later securing their release on a bail of 500 million Tomans (approximately 10,000 Dollars) in August of the same year. Unfortunately, both faced employment termination following pressure from security institutions.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly

Two Individuals Arrested in Gorgan

On Sunday, September 10, 2023, security forces detained Parand Qaradaghi and Nirvana Torbati while they were at their workplace in Gorgan. Subsequently, the agents transferred them to an undisclosed facility.

A reliable source, with close ties to their family, shared details of their arrest, which occurred at the café where they were employed. Notably, the café has also been forced to cease its operations.

As of now, the motives behind their arrest and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Arrests of Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan in Gorgan

On Friday, September 10, Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan, both residents of Gorgan, were apprehended and taken to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to the family of one of these detainees has confirmed their arrest by security forces.

As of now, the precise reasons behind their arrests and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.
It’s noteworthy that Izadi Rad had previously been arrested on May 15, 2023, and subsequently incarcerated in Amirabad Prison, Gorgan. He regained his freedom on bail on August 22, 2023.
Izadi Rad has encountered prior arrests and convictions due to his involvement in various activities.

Gorgan Resident Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested

On September 8, 2023, Mohammad-Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently jailed in Amirabad Prison.

According to a source close to his family who provided information to HRANA, Shoghi was taken into custody at his residence on Friday, September 8, following a summons from security police received via phone a few days earlier.

As of now, the specific reason for Shoghi’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shoghi, aged 23, has previously encountered law enforcement and undergone prior arrests due to his involvement in activist endeavors.

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Poet and Writer Habib Mousavi Arrested in Gorgan

On July 31, 2023, Habib Mousavi, a poet and writer, was arrested shortly after receiving a summons and visiting the IRGC’s intelligence office in Gorgan, Golestan Province.

A credible source, who is close to Mousavi’s family and spoke to HRANA, disclosed that the poet was called in by the IRGC Intelligence Unit and subsequently detained during the meeting. The precise reasons behind Mousavi’s arrest have not been made public.

Habib Mousavi, aged approximately 50, is a poet, writer, and resident of Gorgan.

Blogger Arrested in Gorgan for Allegedly Promoting Western Lifestyle

The IRGC Intelligence Public Relations has reported the arrest of a blogger in Gorgan province on charges of allegedly “promoting a Western lifestyle,” according to Basij News.

The arrest was carried out by judicial authorities, and the blogger’s Instagram page, which had amassed over 100 thousand followers, has been taken down.

As of now, the identity of the detained blogger, their location, and the specifics of the allegations remain undisclosed.

It’s important to note that imposing a certain lifestyle on citizens is a clear violation of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which grants everyone the right to life, liberty, and security of person. Furthermore, Article 12 of the same declaration upholds the right to privacy, protection from arbitrary interference with personal matters, family, home, or correspondence, as well as protection from attacks on one’s honor and reputation. Every individual has the right to seek legal protection against such interference and attacks.

 

 

Three Inmates Executed in Ilam, Zanjan and Gorgan

On June 20, 2023, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Ilam Province, according to Iran Human Rights Organization. This inmate has been identified as Aref Havasi. He reportedly killed someone in a group fight two years ago.

Furthermore, the Human Rights Organization disclosed that Ali Mula Shamsi, aged 40, was executed on June 18, 2023, in Zanjan Prison. Shamsi had been convicted of drug-related offenses.

Additionally, Iran Newspaper covered the execution of an inmate in Gorgan Prison. According to the publication, a man named Hamed, along with six others, including two brothers of the victim, was involved in the killing of Mahmood.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

Two Inmates Executed in Gorgan Prison

The Gorgan Prison officials carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of murder.

HRANA has identified these individuals as Sha’aban Yousefi and Bazi (first name unknown). A source informed HRANA that Yousefi, convicted of murder, was executed on May 16, 2023, in Gorgan Prison.

According to his source, Bazi, who received the death penalty for killing someone during an inheritance dispute, was executed on May 23, 2023.

As of the time of this report, there have been no official statements or reports from domestic media outlets regarding these executions.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

 

 

Behrooz Izadi Rad Arrested in Gorgan

Behrooz Izadi Rad was arrested by security forces in Gorgan on May 15, 2023, according to HRANA, the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Izadi Rad was reportedly arrested at his residence in Gorgan. The exact location of his detention remains undisclosed, and the reason for his arrest has not been disclosed either.

In September 2022, amid nationwide protests, security forces arrested Izadi Rad in Golestan Prison and, after a while, jailed him in Amirabad Prison in Gorgan.

On December 19, 2022, the Revolutionary Court sentenced Izadi Rad to four years and one month in prison. However, due to his no-contest plea, his sentence was reduced to nine months for “propaganda against the regime” and 25 months for “inciting people to unrest,” totaling two years and ten months, including the time already served.

Following five months of imprisonment, Izadi Rad was released in February 2023 under the “pardon and commutation” directive. It’s worth noting that he has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.