Tag: HRANA

Five People Arrested in Naqadeh by Security Forces

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News, Other
alal Mohammadi, Ayoub Armand, HRANA, Khaled Mohammadi, Masoud Mahmoudpour, Mohammad Taher Eliasi, Naqadeh

According to HRANA, quoting Kolbar News, five residents of Naqadeh have been arrested.

Previously, the identity of one of the detainees, Ayoub Armand, had been confirmed. The identities of the other four have now been reported as Jalal Mohammadi, Khaled Mohammadi, Mohammad Taher Eliasi, and 25-year-old Masoud Mahmoudpour.

The report states that Jalal Mohammadi and his cousin Khaled Mohammadi were arrested on Monday, January 13, by security forces at their homes without a court warrant.

Additionally, Mr. Armand and Mr. Eliasi were arrested yesterday, January 16, while Mr. Mahmoudpour was taken into custody on Wednesday, January 15, by security forces.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for their arrests, their whereabouts, or the charges against them.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Naqadeh, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations.

Daily Interrogations: Elnaz Ahmadi’s Three-Month Detention in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Elnaz Ahmadi, Evin Prison, HRANA, Solmaz Ahmadi

HRANA News Agency – Elnaz (Solmaz) Ahmadi, a political detainee, has been held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison for nearly three months. She is transferred daily to Ward 209 for interrogation and then returned to her cell.

A source close to Ms. Ahmadi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “After two months in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Ms. Ahmadi was transferred to the women’s ward on December 29, 2024. She faces charges of ‘assembly and collusion against national security’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’ Despite this transfer, she continues to be interrogated daily in Ward 209 before being returned to the women’s ward.”

Elnaz Ahmadi, approximately 40 years old, holds a PhD in physics.

Ayoub Armand Arrested by Security Forces in Naqadeh

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News, Other
Ayoub Armand, HRANA, Naqadeh

HRANA News Agency – Today, January 16, Ayoub Armand, a 35-year-old married resident of Naqadeh, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa.

Ayoub Armand was reportedly detained without a judicial warrant and with the use of violence.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his whereabouts.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Naqadeh, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations.

Detained Political Activist Akbar Bagheri Held Without Medical Care or Updates

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News, Prisoners
Akbar Bagheri, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Salavati, اکبر باقری

HRANA News Agency – Akbar Bagheri, a political detainee suffering from multiple health conditions, has been held in detention for over two months, with no information available about his whereabouts. The uncertainty surrounding his health has raised serious concerns among his family and loved ones.

A source close to Mr. Bagheri’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “It has been over 60 days since Mr. Bagheri’s arrest. He suffers from blood-related conditions, intestinal issues, liver problems, and hemorrhoids. He has been denied access to his medications and has had no contact with his family.”

Despite the family’s persistent inquiries and his lawyer’s efforts to obtain information from judicial authorities, no clear details about his location or condition have been provided, further intensifying the family’s concerns.

Akbar Bagheri was arrested by security forces in Tehran on November 10, 2024. As of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Mr. Bagheri was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran in 2017 and transferred to Evin Prison. In the summer of 2018, he was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, to nine years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “collusion and assembly against national security.” This sentence was upheld in the Court of Appeals.

Following the events at Evin Prison in October 2022, Mr. Bagheri was transferred along with several others to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was ultimately released from Rajai Shahr Prison on May 8, 2023, under a general amnesty directive.

Drug-Related Charges: A Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison

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Executions, News
Arak prison, HRANA, Pouya Asgari

HRANA News Agency – At dawn yesterday, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Arak Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the execution took place on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

The prisoner has been identified as Pouya Asgari, 37, a resident of Arak. Based on information obtained by HRANA, Asgari was arrested in 2020 on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant organizations.

According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of these executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

 

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IRGC Intelligence Arrests 7 Supporters of Erfan-e-Halgheh in Ardabil

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

The Prosecutor General of Ardabil Province has announced the arrest of seven supporters of Erfan-e-Halgheh (Interuniversal Mysticism), by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Ardabil.

According to HRANA, citing Mehr News Agency, the detainees are accused of engaging in activities described as “deviant and contrary to Islamic principles,” including “illicit relationships, fraudulent scientific claims, unauthorized medical practices under the guise of treatment, acquiring wealth through unlawful means, and propagandizing against the regime.” Jalal Afaghi, the Prosecutor General, confirmed the arrests but did not provide details about the identities, current locations, or specific charges against those detained.

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.

Swiss Citizen Dies by Suicide in Semnan Prison, Judiciary Claims

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Semnan, Swiss citizen

The head of the Semnan Province Judiciary has alleged that a Swiss citizen detained in Semnan Prison on charges of “espionage” took their own life early this morning.

According to HRANA, quoting ISNA, the detainee’s death occurred in custody. Without revealing the individual’s identity, the Semnan Chief Justice stated, “This morning, a Swiss national committed suicide in their detention area in Semnan Prison. Despite efforts to save their life, they passed away.”

Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the head of the judiciary, further claimed, “All evidence and documents related to the individual’s detention area have been thoroughly reviewed, and based on the findings, the suicide has been confirmed.”

He added, “The Swiss citizen was arrested by security forces on espionage charges. Supporting documents exist, and the case was under active investigation at the time of the incident.”

In 2024, HRA documented 21 suicides in prisons, 2 cases of self-immolation, 7 prisoner murders, 777 reports of prisoners held in unsuitable conditions, and 28 cases of forced confessions, highlighting the harsh and inhumane conditions in Iran’s prisons.

Prisoner Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Behbahan, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, Samad Najar-Asl

At dawn yesterday, January 9, 2025, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges of murder was carried out in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

The identity of the prisoner, Samad Najar-Asl, father of two, and a resident of Behbahan, has been verified by HRANA.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Najar-Asl was arrested in 2019 during a financial dispute in Isfahan that escalated to murder. He was later sentenced to death by the criminal court.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions. In 2024, judicial authorities or domestic media in Iran officially announced only 6% of executions, underscoring a deeply troubling lack of transparency in the country’s legal and judicial processes.

In 2024, HRA reported 53 executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, making it the fourth-highest among prisons in terms of execution numbers.

Execution of a Prisoner Carried Out in Sabzevar Prison

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Executions, News
Ali Rabati, Alireza Mehrabadi, HRANA, Sabzevar Prison, سبزوار

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges of murder was carried out in Sabzevar Prison.

HRANA has identified the hanged prisoner as Alireza Mehrabadi, 25, a resident of Sabzevar.

HRANA’s information indicates that Mr. Mehrabadi was arrested approximately seven years ago following a fatal altercation and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

It is worth noting that another prisoner involved in the same case, identified as Ali Rabati, 24, also from Sabzevar, had also been sentenced to death. However, on the day of the execution, he was spared after the victim’s family granted forgiveness, allowing him to escape the death penalty.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been publicly announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

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.

Peyman Kazemi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Peyman Kazemi, Rudsar Prison, پیمان کاظمی

Peyman Kazemi, a resident of Gilan Province, has been sentenced to three years in prison by a judicial authority.

According to HRANA, quoting Hyracani News Outlet, Kazemi was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader,” receiving a total sentence of three years of discretionary imprisonment.

The report does not provide details about the specific acts leading to the charges or the authority that issued the verdict.

Peyman Kazemi returned to Iran from Sweden in January of 2024 and was arrested by security forces at his home on March 8, 2024. He is currently held in Rudsar Prison.