Tag: HRANA

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

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bahmai, Davoud Haddadi-Nia, Fardin Chireh-Nejad, HRANA, Likak

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

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Isfahan, Maryam Khalili, Marzieh Khalili

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.

Execution Carried Out in Qazvin Prison for Drug Conviction

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Executions, News
Behzad Biderang, HRANA, Qazvin prison

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

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Nour-Mohammad Tajik

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

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Executions, News
Haal Vsh, HRANA, Mehdi Gorgij, Zanjan Prison

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.

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

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan province, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Jamshid Azizi, Mehdi Rasekhi

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

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News, Prisoners
Abdolbaset Avarsan, HRANA, Mashhad, Torbat-e-Jam, 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.”

Political Prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Continues Hunger Strike Amidst Deteriorating Health in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

Political prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb persists in his hunger strike at Ghezel Hesar Prison, facing a decline in health.

A reliable source close to Ahmadi Ragheb confirmed his unwavering commitment to the hunger strike, revealing alarming symptoms such as low blood pressure, lethargy, and diminishing consciousness. The severity of his condition is evident, with his palm turning blue. Despite his deteriorating health, prison officials remain unresponsive to his demands, while judicial authorities have initiated two new legal cases, accusing him of propaganda against the regime.

The source stated that Ahmadi Ragheb initiated the hunger strike in protest against these legal charges and the increasing number of executions. His concerns have been met with indifference from the prison administration.

Ahmadi Ragheb’s arrest took place in March 2023, leading to his incarceration in Evin Prison. In May 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran imposed a five-year and eight-month prison sentence along with additional penalties. Notably, five years of this term are currently enforceable.

In September of the same year, he, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Ahmadi Ragheb has a history of previous convictions and imprisonments due to his commitment to peaceful activism. The current hunger strike underscores his continued resistance against perceived injustices and an appeal for attention to his grievances.

Update on the Health and Legal Situation of Political Prisoner Mehran Gharabaghi in Sheiban Prison

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News, Prisoners
Behbahan, HRANA, Mahshahr, Mehran Gharabaghi

Mehran Gharabaghi, a 31-year-old political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Despite facing deteriorating health and the urgent need for medical treatment, he has not been transferred to a hospital outside the prison.

According to a source close to his family who informed HRANA, Gharabaghi is suffering from heart disease. Despite receiving medical confirmation of the necessity for hospital treatment two weeks ago, prison officials have refused to facilitate his transfer to a hospital.

On September 20, 2023, the Criminal Court of Behbahan sentenced Gharabaghi to three years and six months for a legal case initiated against him while imprisoned. The charges include “destruction of public property (setting fire to a women’s seminary in Behbahan),” and an additional 45 lashes for “disturbing public order.” Of this sentence, two years have been suspended for five years.

In a previous legal case, Gharabaghi had received a 10-year and one-month sentence along with additional penalties from the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr. Additionally, he has been handed a three-year imprisonment, with a two-year prison term enforceable by another Revolutionary Court branch. The concerning state of his health emphasizes the need for immediate attention and appropriate medical care.

Tragic Suicide at Ghezel Hesar Prison Claims Inmate’s Life

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, Hossein Jalali, HRANA

On February 26, 2024, a devastating incident unfolded at Ghezel Hesar Prison as an inmate, identified as Hossein Jalali from Shiraz, took his own life by ingesting pills.

According to a source close to Jalali’s family, who confirmed this tragic occurrence to HRANA, the inmate had been incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Approximately seven months ago, he commenced serving a 25-year prison term at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj and succumbed to a fatal pill overdose.

Regrettably, HRANA has learned that Jalali passed away before reaching the hospital.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented seven deaths attributed to illness, twelve suicides, one case of self-immolation, and four instances of prisoners being murdered within prisons nationwide.