Prisoner Executed in Miandoab Prison

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Miandoab Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoner has been identified as Sina Shams-Elahi, a resident of a village in Leylan County, East Azerbaijan Province.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Shams-Elahi was arrested a year ago on charges of murdering a man and was sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.”

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

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

Mashallah Karami, Father of Executed Protester, Faces Prison and Multiple Charges

Mashallah Karami, the father of executed protester Mohammad Mehdi Karami, is serving his sentence in the Central Prison of Karaj. His legal cases are being reviewed in two separate proceedings: his Revolutionary Court case is under appeal at the Supreme Court, while his Criminal Court case awaits a decision from the Court of Appeals.

A source familiar with his situation told HRANA: “Recently, Mashallah was sent to a specialized clinic for treatment due to blurred vision in one of his eyes. His Revolutionary Court case, in which he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court. Additionally, his Criminal Court case, in which he was sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans, and asset confiscation, is pending the final verdict from the Court of Appeals.”

Karami, the father of Mohammad Mehdi (Koumar) Karami, an executed protester, was arrested on August 22, 2023, by security forces. During his arrest, authorities confiscated all electronic devices and froze the family’s bank accounts.
On October 28, 2023, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to the Central Prison of Karaj. After three months in quarantine, he was moved to Ward 15 of the prison.

Initially, on May 21, 2024, the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Karami to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” However, in September, the Alborz Province Court of Appeals reduced these sentences to three years and seven months for the first charge and eight months for the second.

In a separate case, in August 2024, the Criminal Court Branch 102 in Nazarabad convicted Karami of “money laundering and acquiring illicit wealth,” sentencing him to eight years and ten months in prison, a fine of 1.9 billion tomans, and confiscation of his assets.

Karami’s attorney, Ali Sharifzadeh, previously stated that the security-related charges against his client did not align with his actions. He explained: “Mr. Karami only distributed free meals, funded through public donations. This information was presented to the court but was not properly considered. Additionally, my client’s assets have no connection to the security charges leveled against him.”

In September, 2024, five citizens were fined by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals for providing financial assistance to Mashallah Karami. These individuals were previously convicted by the Karaj Revolutionary Court of “aiding in assembly and collusion against national security” through financial support to Karami, with each sentenced to two years in prison and fined 24 million tomans.

It is noteworthy that on January 7, 2023, Mohammad Mehdi Karami, one of the detainees from the nationwide protests, was executed in connection with the case known as the “murder of Basij member Ruhollah Ajamian.”

Political Detainee Nayereh Behnoud Held Over 70 Days Without Trial in Evin Prison

Nayereh Behnoud, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for over 70 days without resolution.

A source familiar with her case told HRANA: “Ms. Behnoud has been in detention for over 70 days. She faces charges such as ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘assembly and collusion against national security through membership in opposition groups.’ However, her case remains in limbo, and no court hearing has been held to address the charges against her.”
Behnoud was arrested by security forces in Tehran in late September 2024.

Following approximately one month of interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Behnoud was transferred to the women’s ward of the prison on October 21, 2024.

Houman Almasi: Over 600 Days of Uncertainty in Sheiban Prison Without Trial

Houman Almasi, a political detainee, has been held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 600 days without trial or legal resolution, according to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran.

Despite his prolonged detention, authorities have taken no action to address his case or convene a court hearing.

On October 19, 2024, Mr. Almasi began a hunger strike to protest his indefinite legal limbo. Following this, he was transferred to solitary confinement within Sheiban Prison. He ended his hunger strike after receiving assurances from prison officials, after which he was returned to the general ward.

A source close to Mr. Almasi previously informed HRANA that the detainee, who suffers from kidney disease, has been denied specialized medical care and access to treatment outside the prison.

Houman Almasi was initially arrested in March-April 2023 by security forces and detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz. After two months of interrogation, he was transferred to Sheiban Prison, where he remains in custody.

As of this report, the charges against Mr. Almasi remain undisclosed.

Prisoner Executed in Yasuj Prison

At dawn yesterday, December 3, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges of murder was executed in Yasuj Prison.

The identity of the prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Sadegh Asadi, approximately 40 years old and a resident of Gachsaran.

Based on HRANA’s information, the prisoner was arrested five years ago for the murder of a relative and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.

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

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

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Teacher Azad Khadem Detained in Saqqez, Whereabouts Unknown

Azad Khadem, a teacher residing in Saqqez, has been detained by security forces for ten days, with no information available about his place of detention.

A source close to the teacher’s family told HRANA, “Mr. Khadem was arrested by security forces in Saqqez on Monday, November 25. Since then, no details have emerged about his location, exacerbating concerns among his family and loved ones.”

As of the time this report was prepared, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Azad Khadem is a teacher, a father of one, and a resident of Saqqez.

Two Women and a Man Executed in Ilam Prison

At dawn yesterday, December 2, 2024, the death sentences of three prisoners, including two women who had previously been convicted of murder, were carried out in Ilam Prison.

HRANA has identified two of the prisoners as Farideh Jafarzadeh (female) and Hassan Hassan-Beigi (male).

The three individuals had been arrested on murder charges and subsequently sentenced to death by criminal courts.

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

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Roshanak Molaei Flogged in Qarchak Prison for Violating Hijab Laws

Roshanak Molaei Alishah, a 26-year-old Tehran resident, was released from Qarchak Prison in Varamin on Saturday, November 23, 2024, following the execution of a 14-lash sentence. Her case has drawn attention as she was initially subjected to street harassment but was instead arrested and prosecuted for non-compliance with mandatory hijab laws.

Ms. Molaei had previously been sentenced by Branch 1097 of the Ershad Court to 74 lashes and a two-year travel ban for “damaging public chastity.” Her sentence was reduced under a judicial provision deducting three lashes for each day of detention.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, reported that her trial was held via video conference on November 19. After the court issued its ruling, Ms. Molaei’s sentence was partially served during her time in detention. The remaining 14 lashes were carried out at the Qarchak Prison Execution Office before her release.

The case dates back to October 31, when a video circulated on social media showing a male motorcyclist harassing Ms. Molaei in the street. She confronted her harasser in the incident, which went viral. Instead of receiving support, Ms. Molaei was summoned by judicial authorities for violating hijab laws. Authorities reportedly filed a case against the motorcyclist for harassment as well.

A source close to Ms. Molaei told HRANA that she was first arrested on November 2 and taken to the Duty Branch of District 38 Prosecutor’s Office. She was briefly released that evening but was summoned again the following day. On November 4, she was re-arrested and transferred to Qarchak Prison.

Ms. Molaei’s case has highlighted ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in Iran, particularly those who challenge or are accused of violating strict hijab laws.

Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison for Murder Charges

At dawn on Thursday, November 28, 2024, a prisoner sentenced to death for murder was executed in Arak Prison.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, has confirmed the identity of the executed individual as Kamran Hemmati. He was arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

Despite the execution, neither prison officials nor responsible institutions have made any public announcement regarding the case at the time of this report.

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.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

Kamran Hemmati
 

Prolonged Legal Limbo: Fariborz Sebghatollahi Held Without Trial in Rasht

Fariborz Sebghatollahi, a political detainee from Astara, has been held in legal limbo at Lakan Prison in Rasht for over 130 days.

HRANA’s sources report that he was charged in a Rasht prosecutor’s office on suspicion of membership in an opposition group. For the past 136 days, he has been held without resolution in Lakan Prison, and no court hearing has been scheduled.

Sebghatollahi was arrested on July 17, 2024, by Astara Intelligence Ministry agents. He was initially detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Astara for two days before being transferred to the Ministry’s detention center in Rasht. After interrogation, he was moved to Lakan Prison.

Previously, a source informed HRANA: “Sebghatollahi was repeatedly subjected to interrogations, psychological torture, threats against his family, and humiliation while in detention at the Ministry of Intelligence facility in Rasht. During his arrest, his daughter, daughter-in-law, ex-wife, and several friends were also detained but later released.”

Sebghatollahi, approximately 50 years old, resides in Astara.