Tag: HRANA

Execution of Inmate at Gorgan Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Abdolghani Gorgi, Hossein-Ali Sobhani, HRANA, Sari

On April 23, 2024, officials at Gorgan Prison executed an inmate convicted of drug offenses, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Hossein-Ali Sobhani, 37, from Sari, was executed for drug-related crimes after serving over two-year prison term.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have covered the execution.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Update on Christian Convert Mina Khajavi in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Iman Afshari, Imprisoner Christian Convert, Mina Khajavi, Tehran, مینا خواجوی

60-year-old Christian convert Mina Khajavi Ghomi is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison, where she faces health challenges due to her age and related issues.

A source close to her family told HRANA that Khajavi struggles with her incarceration given her age, suffering from back, knee, and joint pains that make walking difficult. Despite these challenges, she has been denied access to specialized medical care in prison.

Khajavi was arrested by security forces in June 2020 and released on bail the same month.

In June 2022, she was tried alongside other Christian converts in a case overseen by Judge Iman Afshari at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. Khajavi was sentenced to six years in prison for “acting against national security through proselytizing Christianity and establishing a home church.”

According to reports obtained by HRANA, Khajavi began her prison term on January 8, 2024, and has spent time in solitary confinement in Ward 209, undergoing interrogations.

Two Inmate Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Sadegh Tajik, Varamin

Two individuals convicted of murder met their fate through execution at Ghezel Hesar Prison on April 17, 2024.

HRANA has identified one of the executed inmates as Sadegh Tajik, an Afghan national hailing from Varamin. Tajik had been convicted of murder.

Additionally, while official media within Iran announced the execution of another inmate without specifying the location, HRANA’s investigations suggest that the execution took place at Ghezel Hesar Prison. These individuals had also been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

Furthermore, HRANA reported last Sunday that five inmates had been transferred to solitary confinement within the prison, signaling impending executions. Of these, two were executed, two received temporary reprieves, and one was spared from death after obtaining consent from the victim’s family.

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.

Reza Ramezanzadeh Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Spreading False Information

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Revolutionary Court of Tehran, Reza Ramezanzadeh

Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran has handed down a one-year prison sentence to Reza Ramezanzadeh.

Issued on April 17, the verdict finds Ramezanzadeh guilty of “disseminating false information,” specifically related to “informing the public about the prisoners’ conditions.”

Confirming this development, a close associate of Ramezanzadeh informed HRANA that he was acquitted of “propaganda against the regime.”

Ramezanzadeh was arrested in late February 2024 following his appearance at the Evin Courthouse and was subsequently released on bail after three days.

This is not the first time Ramezanzadeh has faced arrests and convictions due to his activism.

 

Reza Rasekhi Sentenced to Prison and Exile on Political Charges

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Karaj's Central Prison, Reza Rasekhi, Seyed-Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini, رضا راسخی

Reza Rasekhi, currently incarcerated in Karaj’s Central Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years of exile in Bostanabad, East Azerbaijan province, by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. Subsequently, his prison term was reduced to nine months after entering a plea of no contest.

Presiding over Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj, Judge Seyed-Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini found Rasekhi guilty of “propaganda against the regime,” citing his social media activities.

A source close to Rasekhi’s family, confirming his conviction, informed HRANA that Rasekhi was notified of this verdict ten days prior. However, he has been acquitted of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Rasekhi was apprehended by security forces in November 2023 and subsequently transferred to Karaj’s Central Prison.

The 31-year-old resident of Karaj had previously been arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022. However, he was granted pardon under a “general pardon and commutation” directive.

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Saman Oveisi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Mahabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mahabad, Saman Oveisi, سامان اویسی

According to a report by Kurdpa, Saman Oveisi was summoned by IRGC Intelligence in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province, in recent days and subsequently arrested after his arrival. He was then taken to an undisclosed location.

Oveisi, aged 21, was reportedly summoned via phone. The reason for his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Data compiled by the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reveals that IRGC Intelligence has been implicated in 392 cases of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests.

Hossein Kooshki Nejad Begins One-Year Prison Term in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hossein Kooshki Nejad, HRANA, Ilam prison, Khorramabad, Reza Kooshki Nejad

On April 7, 2024, Hossein Kooshki Nejad commenced his one-year prison term in Evin Prison. His brother, Reza, who was detained during the 2022 nationwide protests, is currently serving a two-year sentence in Ilam prison.

According to reports obtained by HRANA, Kooshki Nejad faced legal action last year in the Courthouse in Khorramabad, accused of the political charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The Tehran Revolutionary Court subsequently took over the case and sentenced him to one year in prison.

Kooshki Nejad stated that the beginning of his sentence had been postponed until April 7.

Political Prisoner Amir-Nasr Azadani Enters Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News
Amir Nasr Azadani, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Isfahan, Khaneh e Isfahan, Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoubi, Saleh Mir Hashemi, امیر نصر آزادانی

Amir-Nasr Azadani, a former soccer player and political prisoner currently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has embarked on a hunger strike for the fourth consecutive day while held in solitary confinement.

On April 4, 2024, Azadani was placed in solitary confinement as a punitive measure following the publication of a voice message from within the prison.

A source close to Azadani’s family disclosed to HRANA his decision to commence a hunger strike in protest against his solitary confinement.

In January 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan initially sentenced Azadani to five years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” another five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and sixteen years for “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Upon appeal to the Supreme Court, he was acquitted of the first two charges, leaving the prison term for the third charge intact.

During nationwide protests on November 17, 2022, security forces arrested Azadani in connection to the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case. Notably, three co-defendants in the same case, Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), Majid Kazemi (30), and Saeed Yaghoubi (37), were executed on May 19, 2023, on charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh).

 

Alireza Ghanbari and Javad Mohammadi-Fard Begin Prison Sentences on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Alireza Ghanbari, HRANA, Javad Mohammadi-Fard, Urmia, Urmia prison

Alireza Ghanbari and Javad Mohammadi-Fard, both residents of Urmia, have been incarcerated in Urmia Prison to commence their sentences.

Confirming their imprisonment, a source close to their families informed HRANA that they were arrested on April 2 by security forces at their residences and subsequently transferred to Urmia Prison.

Their initial arrests occurred in June-July 2022 by security forces. Initially detained in the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility in Urmia, they were later moved to Urmia Prison after approximately six months.

In June-July 2023, the Urmia Revolutionary Court convicted them of political charges. Mohammadi-Fard was sentenced to four years for “heading a group for causing unrest and acting against national security,” along with 16 months for “insulting the Supreme Leaders of Iran and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Ghanbari received a four-year sentence for “joining anti-regime groups,” along with 16 months for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” including detention time. These verdicts were upheld on appeal.

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, both individuals will serve four years in prison.

Mohammadi-Fard, aged 44, is single, while Ghanbar, aged 50, is the father of two.

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi Arrested in Borujerd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Borujerd, Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, HRANA, Reza Moazzami Goodarzi

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi was apprehended in Borujerd on April 4, 2024, by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Notably, his relative, Reza Moazzami Goodarzi, lost his life during the 2019 nationwide protests, also known as the Aban Protests, due to gunfire from regime forces.

According to a source close to Goodarzi’s family who confirmed the arrest to HRANA, security forces arrived at his residence at 10:00 AM for his arrest. The agents attempted a search, though they were unsuccessful due to his mother’s resistance. Eventually, they confiscated some of Goodarzi’s personal belongings along with items belonging to his family.

As of now, the reasons behind Goodarzi’s arrest, his current location, and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Goodarzi had previously been arrested on September 5, 2023, by security forces but was subsequently released on bail from the local prison.