Couple Executed for Drug Offenses in Tabriz Prison

According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, a couple was executed in Tabriz Prison on March 18, 2024, for their involvement in drug-related crimes.

Yasin Zolfaghari and his unidentified wife, coming from Jolfa, East Azerbaijan province, were convicted in the same legal case before facing execution.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of their executions at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Execution Carried Out in Tabriz Prison for Drug Conviction

Tabriz Prison officials executed an inmate convicted of drug-related offenses on March 25, 2024, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The executed inmate has been identified as Abbas Aghaie (Aghayi), aged 36, from Tabriz. He was sentenced to death for drug offenses 28 months ago.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of this execution at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani Faces Prolonged 8-Month Detention Over Alleged Blasphemy Charges

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani, aged 31, has been detained for over eight months in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, in a legal limbo.

A source close to Ghanbari’s family informed HRANA that he has been held for more than 234 days in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. The court session to address the charges against him and his sister, Shahnaz, is scheduled for April 2, 2024, to be held by the Isfahan Criminal Court.

According to reports obtained by HRANA, Ghanbari faces restrictions on making phone calls and having family visits.

Ghanbari was arrested on August 1, 2023, following his presence at the Ministry of Intelligence in Shahreza, Isfahan Province. He was subsequently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison.

On September 2, 2023, his legal case for the charge of blasphemy was reviewed by the Supreme Court, which was then passed on to another branch for further review.

He is accused of blasphemy and insulting the Prophet of Islam, despite having already been acquitted of these charges by another branch of the Isfahan Criminal Court, with the case being closed.

His sister, Shahnaz Ghanbari, aged 35, was also arrested in August 2023 and was released on bail from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, on September 27 of last year, after being indicted.

Davoud Haddadi-Nia and Fardin Chireh-Nejad Sentenced to Prison for Political Charges

The Criminal Court in Likak City, Bahmai County, has issued a three-month prison sentence for both Davoud Haddadi-Nia and Fardin Chireh-Nejad. Haddadi-Nia’s sentence, however, was reduced to two months and nine days after entering a plea of no contest.

A source close to their families, confirming these verdicts to HRANA, revealed that the individuals were convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime on Instagram.”

Haddadi-Nia and Chireh-Nejad were apprehended by security forces at Chireh-Nejad’s workplace on February 17, 2024.

Haddadi-Nia has a history of prior arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism. On September 16, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, he was arrested by security forces and released from Dehdasht prison on October 9, 2023.

Maryam Khalili Detained by Security Forces in Isfahan

Maryam (Marzieh) Khalili, aged 24, was apprehended by security forces in Isfahan on March 14, 2024, and transferred to an undisclosed facility.

A source close to Khalili’s family verified her arrest to HRANA. According to reports obtained by HRANA, Khalili has been repeatedly summoned and interrogated by judicial authorities, and previously released on bond. She now faces charges including “spreading propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “blasphemy,” as declared by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.

At present, the reasons behind Khalili’s arrest and her current whereabouts remain undisclosed.

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Execution Carried Out in Qazvin Prison for Drug Conviction

As confirmed by Iran Human Rights Organizations, Qazvin Prison authorities proceeded with the execution of an inmate on March 14, 2024, for drug-related offenses.

The individual, Behzad Biderang, 42 years old and a father of two, was hanged after being convicted of a drug-related crime two years prior.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of this execution at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Execution of Two Afghan Nationals for Murder in Ghezel Hesar Prison

On March 11, 2024, Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj, carried out the execution of two death-row inmates convicted of murder. HRANA identified the individuals as Nour-Mohammad Tajik and Abdolbaset (last name unknown).

The hanged Afghan nationals had been transferred to solitary confinement on March 9 in preparation for the execution.

As of now, there is no official information or coverage from domestic media outlets in the country regarding these executions. The absence of official sources raises apprehensions about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Inmate Executed in Zanjan Prison for Drug Offenses

On March 7, an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes, Mehdi Gorgij, 50 years old and a father of two, was executed in Zanjan Prison, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Gorgij had been arrested four years ago in Urmia on charges of drug offenses, subsequently imprisoned in Zanjan, and ultimately sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in the same province.

The execution of Gorgij occurred without prior notice to his family, denying him the opportunity for a final family visitation.

Notably, no official sources or domestic media outlets in the country have covered this execution as of the time of writing. The absence of official information raises concerns, further underscored by the fact that 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements from judicial authorities and remained unreported by media outlets within Iran.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 also reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Jamshid Azizi’s Prison Sentence for Political Charges Upheld on Appeal

The Appellate Court of Gilan Province has upheld the four-year, 47-day prison term imposed on Jamshid Azizi Nunakaran.

This verdict includes three years and six months and one day for “assembly and collusion against national security” and seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” As per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, dictating that in cases of multiple charges, the most severe penalty shall be enforced, he is sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

The initial verdict was issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi.

Azizi’s legal troubles began on April 16, 2023, when IRGC intelligence agents arrested him at his residence. Following 40 days of detention, he was released on bail. A reliable source confirmed to HRANA that Azizi was denied access to legal representation during his detention.

Update on Abdolbaset Avarsan’s Situation in Vakilabad Prison

Sunni prisoner Abdolbaset Avarsan is currently serving a 15-year prison term in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad. Recent developments reveal that his request for release on probation has been rejected by judicial authorities, with sources citing influence from the Ministry of Intelligence.

A close family source, speaking to HRANA, confirmed that the judge, under the Ministry of Intelligence’s influence, dismissed Avarsan’s release request. Hailing from Torbat-e-Jam and a father of three, Avarsan’s family faces financial struggles. Despite holding a Master’s degree, his wife’s job application with the Ministry of Education was rejected during the interview due to her husband’s legal case, further complicating the family’s situation.

In 2019, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Avarsan to 15 years in prison for his alleged involvement in “armed rebellion (Baghi) through membership in a Salafi-ISIS group.”