Tag: HRANA

Payam Bastani Parizi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Payam Bastani Parizi, Tehran

On September 11, Payam Bastani Parizi was apprehended at his father’s residence in Tehran and subsequently transported to an undisclosed detention center. Notably, Bastani Parizi had previously been detained in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022.

A source closely associated with his family relayed to HRANA that a group of eight security agents conducted the arrest at his father’s residence. The grounds for Bastani Parizi’s detention, his current location, and the charges against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

Bastani Parizi’s initial arrest occurred on September 24, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Tehran. He was subsequently released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary on February 8, 2023, under the “pardon and commutation” directive implemented at that time.

It’s noteworthy that Bastani Parizi, aged 36, has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

Lawyer Mohammad Najafi Sentenced to Four Months for Disseminating False Information

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News, Prisoners
Arak prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Najafi, Reza Moazen

Mohammad Najafi, a lawyer currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, has received a four-month prison sentence from the Criminal Court of Arak.

This verdict, issued in absentia, finds Najafi guilty of “spreading falsehood.” The legal case was initiated following a complaint lodged by the head of Arak prison, Reza Moazen. According to a source who informed HRANA, the charge was based on Najafi’s exposure of issues within the prison system, particularly the prison head’s failure to address these concerns and mistreatment against political prisoners.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court has also ruled to disbar Najafi, prohibiting him from practicing law.

Najafi has been embroiled in multiple legal cases in the past. In his most recent case, he was sentenced to two years in prison and a 15-million-toman fine by Branch 106 of the Arak Criminal Court for “spreading falsehood,” and to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.”

In another legal matter, Najafi received a three-year prison sentence for insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran and an additional four months for spreading falsehood. In December 2018, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “collaborating with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC” in relation to the first part of this case. He was later pardoned and released under a “pardon and commute” directive but was re-arrested four days later for the second part of the case.

Furthermore, Najafi received a two-year prison sentence and a fine for spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion after writing an open letter addressed to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. This sentence was upheld on appeal, and he had previously been sentenced to one year in prison for similar charges in December 2018.

In February 2020, Najafi was handed a six-month prison sentence for attending and delivering a speech at a ceremony commemorating Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who had been tortured and killed while in custody.

Ultimately, Najafi received a 10-year prison sentence for the most severe charge of “collaboration with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC.” This sentence was later reduced to four years and six months.

Morteza Nourmohammadi Arrested in Shabestar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nourmohammadi, Shabestar

On September 9, Morteza Nourmohammadi, a resident of Shabestar in East Azerbaijan province, was apprehended by security forces and transported to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

A source with close ties to his family informed HRANA that Nourmohammadi was detained on September 9, immediately following a visit to the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran. Subsequent to his arrest, intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Previously, the National Organization for Civil Registration had declined to register a chosen name for his newborn child. It’s worth noting that the Iranian government restricts naming children in ways that deviate from the national cultural and religious norms.

The precise grounds for his detention, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

Gorgan Resident Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Mohammad Reza Shoghi, Tahmuras Shoghi

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.

Mostafa Mohebi Commences His Three-Year Sentence in Rudsar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan province, HRANA, Langarud, Mahsa Amini, Mostafa Mohebi, Rudsar

Mostafa Mohebi (also spelled as Mohebbi) has begun serving his three-year prison term in Rudsar Prison. His arrest dates back to the nationwide protests in 2022, also known as the Mahsa Amini Protests.

According to a source close to his family who spoke with HRANA, Mohebi was convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “acting against national security,” leading to a three-year sentence. On August 28, 2023, he commenced his sentence in Rudsar Prison.

Mohebi was apprehended by security forces in January 2023 and subsequently incarcerated in Lakan Prison, Rasht, on February 3.

A 35-year-old computer engineer and Langarud resident in Gilan Province, Mohebi’s case continues to garner attention in the ongoing discourse on civil rights and freedom of expression in Iran.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

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Execution of Woman in Vakilabad Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mahboobeh Roshandel, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

On September 4, 2023, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad witnessed the execution of a female inmate who had been convicted of murder.

Identified by HRANA as Mahboobeh Roshandel, she was just 27 years old and a mother to a six-year-old child.

Roshandel was found guilty of killing her mother-in-law.

A source close to Roshandel’s family shared with HRANA that during her years of incarceration, her own family did not allow her to see her child, resulting in severe depression.
The source also disclosed, “Recently, the victim’s family had initially expressed their intention to pardon Roshandel, but regrettably, they later reconsidered and changed their decision.”

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

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.

 

Safa Aeli, Mahsa Amini’s Uncle, Taken into Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Safa Aeli, Saqqez, Zhina Amini

On September 5, 2023, Safa Aeli, the uncle of Mahsa Amini, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

A source informed HRANA that today, at approximately 13:00, ten intelligence agents in three vehicles came and arrested Aeli at his residence. Additionally, this source provided details regarding the mounting pressure and threats faced by Mahsa Amini’s family from security institutions.

Presently, the specific grounds for Aeli’s detention and his current whereabouts are unknown. Safa Aeli is a Saqqez resident and the maternal uncle of Mahsa Amini.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Aram Gohari Detained in Miandoab

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aram Gohari, HRANA, Miandoab

Aram (Hossein) Gohari, a former political prisoner and one of the individuals arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, was apprehended by security forces in Miandoab on August 31. He was subsequently taken to the local Ministry of Intelligence office.

According to a source who spoke to HRANA, Gohari had been previously summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence but had refused to comply. Subsequently, authorities arrested him and brought him to the Ministry of Intelligence office.

The specific reasons for his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

In June 2022, Gohari was released on probation, having served the second year of his five-year sentence. However, during the 2022 nationwide protests, he was arrested twice by security forces.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Civil Rights Activist Sepideh Gholian Receives One Year and Three Months Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, Dezful, Evin Prison, HRANA, Sepideh Gholian, Sepideh Qolian, Shamseddin Jalili Piran

The Tehran Criminal Court has handed down a one-year-and-three-month sentence to civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian (Qolian).

Presiding over the court, Judge Shamseddin Jalili Piran sentenced Gholian for her alleged involvement in “removing hijab, facilitating indecency, and persisting in committing criminal acts.” The detention period served prior to the trial will be deducted from her prison term.

The court session took place behind closed doors on August 22, 2023. The case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, an Iran-state TV reporter with connections to security agencies as an interrogator.

It is worth noting that Gholian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. In her most recent legal case in May 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Gholian of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of custody. Alongside her imprisonment, she faced restrictions that included a ban on joining political or social groups, limitations on cell phone usage, and a two-year prohibition from entering Tehran and its neighboring provinces.

Following her release from Evin Prison, Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, while traveling from Tehran to Dezful. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was subsequently transferred to the Women’s Ward within the facility four days later.

Tragic Suicide Claims Inmate’s Life at Qezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Hamed Mohammadi, HRANA, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

On Wednesday, August 30th, a tragic incident unfolded at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj as an inmate ended his life through a drug overdose.

HRANA has identified him as Hamed Mohammadi who was imprisoned for drug offenses for three years.

According to a source close to Mohammadi’s family, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Mohammadi ingested methamphetamine, ultimately leading to his demise in the prison’s infirmary the following Wednesday morning.

The Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran reported a grim tally of violations against prisoners’ rights in 2022. These violations included 133 instances of physical assaults on inmates, 432 cases of denial of medical care, 204 incidents of unlawful transfer to solitary confinement, 102 attempted hunger strikes, 166 cases of coerced transportation or exile, 4,983 threats against prisoners, 46 instances of prisoners being denied visitors, 652 occurrences of psychological and physical torture, 20 prisoner deaths due to illness, two arrestees losing their lives at the hands of prison authorities, and 14 tragic cases of prisoners taking their own lives.

The disturbing statistics reveal a pressing need for reforms and increased scrutiny within the Iranian prison system to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates.