Tag: HRANA

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.

Two Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
Farhad Abdoli, HRANA, Shahram Manafzadeh, Tabriz Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Sunday, February 9, two prisoners who had been sentenced to death on charges of “rape” in a joint case were executed in Tabriz Prison.

According to HRANA, quoting Iran Human Rights, the executions took place without the prisoners having a final visit with their families. The executed individuals have been identified as 33-year-old Shahram Manafzadeh and 29-year-old Farhad Abdoli.

These two prisoners had previously been sentenced to death by the judiciary in a shared case on charges of “rape.”

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial authorities have not publicly announced these executions.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Female Prisoner Executed in Sari Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mahtab Ghazizadeh, Sari Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Thursday, February 8, 2025, a female prisoner previously sentenced to death for murder was executed in Sari Prison.

According to HRANA, quoting the Iran Human Rights, the executed prisoner has been identified as Mahtab Ghazizadeh, 47 years old, and a mother of two.

Reports indicate that approximately four years ago, Ms. Ghazizadeh was arrested on charges of murdering her husband and later sentenced to death by the judiciary. She had her final visit with her family on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before her execution.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

A Supporter of Erfan-e Halgheh Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan-e-Halgheh, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan

HRANA News Agency – IRGC Intelligence has announced the arrest of a supporter of Erfan-e Halgheh in Isfahan.

According to HRANA, citing Fars News Agency, the Sahib al-Zaman IRGC Intelligence Organization in Isfahan issued a statement confirming the arrest, referring to the individual as the “main leader” of Erfan-e Halgheh (Interuniversal Mysticism). The statement claimed that the arrest was carried out under Article 500 Bis of the Islamic Penal Code.

The statement further alleged that Erfan-e Halgheh is a “deviant sect” that, under the pretense of energy healing and addressing mental health issues, interferes in medical matters, misguides people’s beliefs, and illegitimately profits from its activities.

The report does not provide any details regarding the identity, location of detention, or specific charges against the arrested individual.

The Iranian government classifies Erfan-e-Halgheh as a “deviant and anti-religious movement” and has taken strict judicial and security actions against its founder and followers. Participants in the movement have faced severe punishments, including imprisonment, fines, and flogging.

International human rights organizations have condemned these actions as violations of the right to freedom of belief and expression. They have repeatedly urged the Iranian government to cease such repressive measures and respect religious and ideological freedoms.

Report on the Latest Situation of Ehsan Meshksar in Adel Abad Prison, Shiraz

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Ehsan Meshksar, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Shiraz, احسان مشکسار

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court has rejected the retrial request of Ehsan Meshksar, a political prisoner held in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

A source familiar with the case informed HRANA that Meshksar suffers from a gastrointestinal illness and requires specialized medical care, raising concerns about his health behind bars.

Meshksar was arrested on October 28, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home in Sadra, Shiraz. He was later transferred to Adelabad Prison.

In June 2024, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison on charges including “membership in illegal groups with the intent to disrupt national security.” The Fars Province Court of Appeals subsequently upheld the verdict in full.

Ehsan Meshksar, 37, is married, a father to a 13-year-old child, and a resident of Shiraz.

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Death Row Prisoner Dies by Suicide in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA News Agency – On Tuesday, February 4, a prisoner sentenced to death for murder died by suicide in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, has identified the prisoner as Rasoul Ibn Ali. A source informed HRANA that he ended his life by ingesting pills and methadone, succumbing to the effects before prison medical staff could intervene.

Ibn Ali had been in prison for seven years after being convicted of murder and sentenced to death by a criminal court. On February 4, he took his own life.

In 2024, HRANA documented 20 suicides in prisons across Iran.

Workers’ Rights Activist Kamran Sakhtemangar Arrested

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News
HRANA, Jahangir Elyasi, Kamran Sakhtemangar, Sanandaj

HRANA News Agency – On February 5, 2025, security forces in Sanandaj arrested Kamran Sakhtemangar, a labor activist, and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to information obtained by HRANA, authorities have not disclosed the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges against him.

In early January, Branch 109 of the Second Criminal Court of Sanandaj tried Mr. Sakhtemangar on defamation and slander charges. The court later released him on bail.

A source close to Sakhtemangar’s family previously told HRANA that the Sanandaj Prosecutor and Jahangir Elyasi, Director General of Kurdistan’s Road and Urban Development Department, filed complaints against him. The complaints stemmed from his efforts to expose misconduct by various officials and provide related evidence.

Sakhtemangar has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his activism.

According to HRANA’s documented reports, in 2024, Iranian authorities arrested 11 workers’ rights activists, while nine others faced a combined total of 301 months in prison.

Mandatory Hijab Opponent Hamideh Zeraei Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamideh Zeraei, HRANA, Kachooei Prison, Karaj, حمیده زراعی

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, February 5, Hamideh Zeraei, a citizen protesting against compulsory hijab who is serving her exile sentence in Rasht, was arrested for refusing to comply with the hijab requirement in court. She was subsequently transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

A source close to her family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Zeraei is currently serving her exile sentence in Rasht. Yesterday, when she appeared in court for a mandatory check-in, she was arrested for not wearing a hijab and taken to Lakan Prison. The investigator at the Rasht Revolutionary Court has set her bail at one billion tomans (approximately $12,500).”

On November 16, 2023, Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mousa Asef-Hosseini, sentenced Zeraei to one year in prison, two years of exile in Rasht, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year prohibition from online activities. After accepting the ruling, her one-year prison sentence was reduced to nine months.

Zeraei was first arrested by security forces at her home on May 29, 2023, and transferred to Kachooei Prison in Karaj. She was eventually released on February 22, 2024, after completing her sentence.

In June 2024, she was summoned to Branch 13 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court to provide further explanations. After appearing in court, she was arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht but was later released on bail.

Zeraei had previously been arrested in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests. She was released from Kachooei Prison in Karaj on February 7, 2023, following the issuance of the so-called “pardon and commutation” directive.

Majid Shia Ali Imprisoned on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Khorasan Razavi Court, Majid Shia Ali, Mashhad, RGC Intelligence, مجید شیعه علی

HRANA News Agency – today, February 4, 2025, Majid Shia Ali, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested and transferred to prison to serve his one-year and six-month sentence.

On January 20, 2025, Branch 991 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office ordered this political defendant to report within ten days to serve his sentence.

Previously, in May 2023, the Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals sentenced him to two years and six months in prison, of which the longest enforceable term—one year and six months—is now being carried out.

In February 2023, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced Shia Ali to six years and six months in prison on three charges: “membership in a group formed to disrupt national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

According to HRANA, his case was opened after he posted content on social media related to the 2022 nationwide protests.

Majid Shia Ali, a PhD student at Mashhad’s Azad University, was first arrested in late November 2022 and was released on bail in mid-February 2023 from Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad. During his 56-day detention, he spent 40 days in solitary confinement at one of the IRGC Intelligence detention facilities in Mashhad.

Prisoner Executed in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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Executions, News
Hafez Bani Asadi, HRANA, Kahnuj, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA News Agency – On February 3, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery was carried out in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Hafez Bani Asadi, a resident of Kahnuj. According to information obtained by HRANA, he had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on charges of moharebeh through armed robbery.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.