Tag: HRANA

Jebreil Pakrooh Sentenced to Six Months for Spreading Falsehoods

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Pakrooh, HRANA, Jebreil Pakrooh, Tabriz, جبرئیل پاک روح

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, has been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Criminal Court in Tabriz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Pakrooh was sentenced in absentia by Branch 109 of the Second Criminal Court of Tabriz. The charges stem from “spreading falsehoods on the Internet,” for which he received a six-month prison sentence. Additionally, the court ordered him to “publishing a statement retracting his false information and issuing a formal apology through an official news outlet.”

The case against Mr. Pakrooh was initiated following a complaint filed by Ali Abbaszadeh, an official in The Law Enforcement Command of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police.

A source close to Mr. Pakrooh’s family told HRANA: “In 2021, Mr. Pakrooh was arrested over a financial case. During his detention, he was beaten by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department. He later experienced severe dizziness, prompting medical examinations that revealed he had suffered internal bleeding in his head due to blows inflicted during his detention. He underwent urgent surgery to remove the clotted blood, but the complications persist. He has now lost the ability to walk and suffers from blurred vision and motor issues in his hands.”

The source added: “After being beaten by officers at the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Pakrooh filed a complaint against them. Concurrently, he posted online content protesting the officers’ violence. This ultimately led to the complaint by the Legal Affairs Office of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police against him.”

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, was arrested by security forces on Monday, May 13, 2024, and released on bail a day later.

Pakrooh, aged around 59, is the father of Farhad Pakrooh, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. He has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his own and his son’s activities.

 

22-Year-Old Man Executed in Salmas Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Omid Sheikh Kanlou Milan, Salmas

Omid Sheikh Kanlou Milan, a 22-year-old man previously sentenced to death on charges of forced same-sex relations, was executed in Salmas Prison on Wednesday, November 13. The execution was carried out despite the plaintiff in the case having pardoned him, as the judge insisted on implementing the sentence based on the “public aspect of the crime.”

HRANA’s sources report that Mr. Sheikh Kanlou Milan was arrested about a year ago following a complaint by “A.M.” (identity withheld by HRANA), a teacher-soldier and member of the Basij militia. He was accused of forced same-sex relations and sentenced to death by the Khoy Criminal Court. Despite the plaintiff officially pardoning him in recent weeks, the judge insisted on proceeding with the execution due to the public nature of the offense.

A relative of the executed man told HRANA: “Since the plaintiff had pardoned him, the family hoped the execution would not take place. His mother and other relatives, who had waited outside Salmas Prison since 4 a.m. on Wednesday, were informed at 9 a.m. that the sentence had been carried out.”

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

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.

Urmia Prison: Three Prisoners Transferred to Solitary for Execution

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Executions, News
HRANA, Urmia prison

Early this morning, November 14, three prisoners in Urmia Prison, previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the execution of their sentences.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the transfer of these prisoners took place today, Thursday, November 14, for the implementation of their death sentences.

Further details, including the identities of the prisoners, are under investigation by HRANA.

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.

727 Days of Silence: The Ongoing Detention of Osman Mameh

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News, Prisoners
Bukan, HRANA, Osman Mame, Osman Mameh, Urmia, عثمان مامه

Osman Mameh, a 55-year-old resident of Bukan, has been held in detention for 727 days without any clear explanation from authorities. The prolonged lack of communication about his condition has left his family and relatives deeply concerned.

A source close to Mameh’s family told HRANA: “Despite nearly two years since his arrest and continuous efforts by his family to seek answers from security and judicial authorities in cities such as Bukan, Urmia, Karaj, and Tehran, no clear information has been provided. Mr. Mameh has not been allowed any contact with his family since his detention, which has only intensified their fears. Security officials have merely stated that he is alive and that the family would have been informed if he had died.”

Mameh was arrested by security forces on November 18, 2022, in Bukan.

As of this report, no details have been disclosed about the reasons for his arrest, the location of his detention, or the charges brought against him.

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Elham Haghighatjou, HRANA, Rozita Eslami, Shiraz, Vahid Masoumi

On November 10, Vahid Masoumi, Rozita Eslami, and Elham Haghighatjou, Baha’i citizens residing in Shiraz, were arrested by security forces and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as “House No 100.”

According to reports received by HRANA, Mr. Masoumi was arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents while leaving his home and taken to the facility. During the arrest, the agents searched his vehicle and residence, seizing several personal belongings, including electronic devices, books, and family photos.

Ms. Eslami was also arrested at her residence following a search of the premises.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the charges against the three detainees.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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Ardabil Street Vendor Detained for 12 Days on Charges of “Disturbing Public Opinion”

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Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
ardabil prison, Azerbaijani Turk activist, HRANA, Yousef Kari

Yousef Kari, a street vendor and Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Ardabil, has been held in Ardabil Prison for 12 days following his arrest on charges of “disturbing public opinion.”

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Kari was violently detained by police while working as a street vendor on October 29, 2024. Despite being charged by the Ardabil Prosecutor’s Office and the setting of a 5 billion rial bail, the presiding judge has refused to grant his release, leaving him in legal limbo.”

The source added, “During his arrest, Mr. Kari was subjected to physical violence, which he protested. In retaliation, security forces took him to a forensic medical examiner and pressured a psychiatrist to label him mentally unstable.”

Yousef Kari, previously dismissed from his job under security pressure, now earns a living as a street vendor in Ardabil. He has faced repeated harassment in the past due to his activism.

Two Prisoners Executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht

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Executions, News
HRANA, Lakan prison, Majid Jamali, Rasht

On November 7, 2024, the death sentences of two prisoners convicted of drug-related charges were carried out in Lakan Prison, Rasht.

One of the executed prisoners has been identified as Majid Jamali. The identity of the other prisoner, a woman, is still under investigation.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, the prisoners had been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

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

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.

Two Prisoners Executed in Zanjan Prison

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Executions, News
Ezzat Seyedi, HRANA, Soleiman Abbaspour, Zanjan Prison

The death sentences of two prisoners, previously convicted of murder, were carried out in Zanjan Prison.

HRANA has identified these executed prisoners as Soleiman Abbaspour and Ezzat Seyedi.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Soleiman Abbaspour, who had been arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by the judiciary, was executed at dawn on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Likewise, Ezzat Seyedi, also convicted of murder and sentenced to death, was hanged at dawn on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

As of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or other relevant officials.

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.

Imprisoned Attorney Mohammad Najafi Transferred to Hospital Following Critical Health Deterioration

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News, Prisoners
Arak prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Najafi, محمد نجفی

On Tuesday, November 5, Mohammad Najafi, an attorney detained in Evin Prison and suffering from a heart condition, was urgently transferred to Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran due to a sudden worsening of his health.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Najafi experienced a severe health incident while receiving a family visit. A source close to his family told HRANA, “During the visit, Najafi suddenly showed symptoms resembling a heart attack. He was immediately taken to the prison’s medical clinic. Given the critical nature of his condition, he was then transferred to an outside hospital, arriving at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran under heavy restraints.”

Najafi was previously released from prison in 2019 after serving time in an earlier case but was re-arrested just four days later on different charges and taken to Arak Prison. In May 2023, he was transferred from Arak Prison to Evin Prison in Tehran.

Throughout his time in prison, Najafi has faced numerous charges, resulting in multiple sentences. He is currently detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. His longest sentence—10 years, later reduced to four years and six months—stems from a charge of “assisting a hostile government through interviews with foreign media.”

Najafi’s combined sentences now total over 21 years across various cases involving 14 separate charges, with no consolidation of these sentences applied to date. At least five new cases have been filed against him during his imprisonment, including one initiated by the warden of Arak Prison, which led to a four-month sentence. Another case involves charges for allegedly releasing audio recordings from within Arak Prison.

Three Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Cells for Imminent Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Execution, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

Yesterday, November 4, three prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, previously sentenced to death for drug-related charges, were moved to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, sentenced earlier for drug-related offenses, was carried out as part of preparations for their execution. One of the three prisoners is an Afghan national. Further details, including the identities of these inmates, are being investigated by HRANA.

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.