Tag: HRANA

Two Prisoners Executed in Urmia Prison

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Executions, News
Ali Momeni, HRANA, Ramin Kazem Aliloo, Urmia prison

On Monday, November 4, 2024, two prisoners previously convicted of murder in separate cases were executed in Urmia Prison, according to HRANA.

The two men, identified as Ali Momeni and Ramin Kazem Aliloo, had been moved to solitary confinement on Sunday, November 3, in preparation for their executions.

A third prisoner on death row, who is Ali Momeni’s brother, received a temporary reprieve from the victim’s family and was returned to the general prison ward.

At the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not officially confirmed these 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.

Gholamhossein Kalbi, Political Prisoner in His 24th Year of Life Sentence, Denied Medical Care Amid Deteriorating Health

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Dezful, Gholamhossein Kalbi, HRANA, Mahshahr, Saeed Masouri, Sheiban Prison

Political prisoner Gholamhossein Kalbi is now in his 24th year of a life sentence at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. He suffers from multiple health conditions, yet has been denied specialized medical care and transfer to treatment centers.

As per HRANA’s information, Mr. Kalbi suffers from a hernia, ear and dental infections, and has recently contracted a fungal infection that has caused severe toe infections. Despite his worsening condition and repeated transfers to the prison infirmary, he has only received basic examinations and minimal medication due to limited medical resources. Kalbi urgently needs specialized medical care, which has yet to be approved.

According to a source close to the case, the Ministry of Intelligence, overseeing Kalbi’s file, recently rejected his request for transfer to a prison near his home in Mahshahr. “He is held in Sheiban’s security ward, where he lacks any area for exercise and lives in overcrowded conditions, with twice the capacity in his cell,” the source told HRANA.

Kalbi was arrested on January 8, 2001, along with Saeed Masouri, in Dezful, on charges of membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. In 2002, he was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh). His death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

After his arrest, he spent 14 months in solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz before being transferred to Ward 209, and later to Ward 350 of Evin Prison. Following his sentencing, he was moved to Mahshahr Prison and later to Karun Prison in Ahvaz. After the closure of Karun Prison in February 2016, he was transferred along with other prisoners to Sheiban Prison.

In October 2016, his brother, the last remaining member of his family, suffered a stroke and passed away while en route to the prison for a face-to-face visit with him—a visit he had managed to secure after five years of effort. The judicial authorities denied Mr. Kalbi leave to attend his brother’s funeral.

The troubling case of Kalbi underscores a broader pattern of neglect within Iranian prisons. In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 1,390 instances of denial or neglect of medical care for prisoners, highlighting a systemic issue that urgently demands attention.

Three Prisoners Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Amir Jahandar, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, Kourosh Salehian, Reza Bidabadi

Today, October 31, the death sentences of three prisoners, previously convicted on charges of murder and drug-related offenses, were carried out in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners as Kourosh Salehian, Amir Jahandar, and Reza Bidabadi. Early this morning, Reza Bidabadi, sentenced to death on murder charges, was executed by hanging. Meanwhile, Salehian and Jahandar were executed on Monday, October 28, with Salehian convicted of murder and Jahandar on drug-related charges.

As of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have yet to publicly confirm these 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.

Four Prisoners Executed in the Central Prison of Karaj on Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
HRANA, Karaj, Kermanshah

At dawn yesterday, October 29, four prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were executed in the Central Prison of Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, three of the executed prisoners have been identified as Mohammad Nedaei, Ali Akbar (Mohsen) Akhayer, and Akbar Khorram Taj. These individuals were arrested approximately six years ago on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death.

Kurdpa identified the fourth prisoner as Morovat-Ali Karami, from Kermanshah, who was also executed on similar charges on Tuesday morning.

As of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly confirmed these executions.

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.

Prisoner Executed at Jiroft Prison on Murder Charges

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Executions, News
Ahmad Salari, HRANA, Jiroft Prison, زندان جیرفت

At dawn today, October 30, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Jiroft Prison, Kerman Province.

The prisoner has been identified by HRANA as “Ahmad Salari.” Mr. Salari was arrested ten years ago on murder charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities 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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Four Prisoners Executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Abdullah Tajik, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Mohammad Jalali, moharebeh, Mostafa Gholamzadeh, Saman Anbari

At dawn on October 30, four prisoners were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Two of these individuals had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, while the other two were convicted of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) due to armed robbery.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, identified the executed prisoners as “Abdullah Tajik, an Afghan national, Mostafa Gholamzadeh, Mohammad Jalali, and Saman Anbari.” According to HRANA, Mr. Tajik and Mr. Gholamzadeh were sentenced for drug-related offenses, while Mr. Jalali and Mr. Anbari were convicted of moharebeh for their involvement in armed robbery.

Earlier, on Monday, HRANA reported that eight prisoners had been moved to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison, all of whom were facing death sentences on drug-related charges. Except for Abdullah Tajik and Mostafa Gholamzadeh, the remaining prisoners were subsequently returned to the general ward.

As of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced these executions.

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.

Behrad Azargan, Baha’i Musician, Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Behrad Azargan, Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran, بهراد آذرگان

Behrad Azargan, a Baha’i musician residing in Tehran, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to 11 years in prison, in addition to the confiscation of his seized belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, sentenced Azargan to five years in prison for “engaging in educational or promotional activities against Sharia of Islam” through affiliation with a sect or similar group, four years for “membership in anti-regime groups,” and two years for “spreading false information.” Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of items seized from his home and imposed a two-year ban on his use of social media and travel abroad.

The court session addressing Azargan’s case was held on October 6.

Azargan’s home was raided on July 3 by security agents, who seized several personal items, including his phone and laptop.

He was subsequently detained on August 4 after appearing at the Third Branch of the Security Prosecutor’s Office to defend himself against charges of anti-regime propaganda. He was later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Finger Amputation Sentences Executed on Two Prisoners in Urmia Prison

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News, Other
Ebrahim Khatibi, Finger Amputation, HRANA, Inhuman Punishment, Mehrdad Teimouri, Shahab Teimouri, Urmia prison

On October 30, two prisoners convicted of theft had their sentences of finger amputation carried out in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, brothers Shahab and Mehrdad Teimouri were each sentenced by Branch 1 of the Juvenile Court in West Azerbaijan Province to the amputation of four fingers on their right hands, as well as restitution of stolen goods. After being transferred to solitary confinement in preparation, the prisoners were taken to the execution unit in Urmia Prison, where the sentences were executed. They were then transported to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia for medical care.

The Teimouri brothers were initially arrested in 2019 on theft charges and later sentenced to finger amputation by the court. This ruling was upheld in April 2020 by Branch 24 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Karami, who confirmed the Teimouri brothers’ sentences but overturned a similar sentence for a co-defendant, Ebrahim Khatibi, ultimately sentencing him to 20 years in prison.

In part of his defense, which HRANA obtained, Mehrdad Teimouri stated, “I admit to theft. I am a thief, but not as recorded by the police. In 2015, I was forced to confess to 11 thefts… I had debts to other victims, which led me to this theft.”

A source close to the case told HRANA, “The initial trial was held on July 24, 2019, in Branch 1 of the Juvenile Court in Urmia, where all three defendants were sentenced to amputation. Following appeals filed by their court-appointed attorneys, the case was referred to the Supreme Court, which confirmed the Teimouri brothers’ sentences in April 2020 and overturned Ebrahim Khatibi’s sentence.”

Due to the involvement of the Juvenile Court, it appears the defendants may have been under 18 at the time of their trial. However, with no official statements and limited access to court records, HRANA continues its independent investigation to confirm this information.

Shahab and Mehrdad Teimouri are from Sarpol-e Zahab and currently reside in Malard, Karaj.

Amputation as a legal punishment violates fundamental principles of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explicitly prohibits inhumane or degrading punishments.

Nayeb Askari Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison and Heavy Fine After Death Sentence Overturned

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, moharebeh, Naeb Askari, Nayeb Askari, Urmia, Urmia prison

Nayeb Askari, a political prisoner detained in Urmia Prison, has been re-sentenced by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison and a fine of 900 million tomans, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his prior death sentence and refer his case for retrial.

This updated sentence was issued last week by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. According to HRANA’s sources, the fine was imposed on Askari as compensation for alleged damage to government property.

Initially, on April 15, 2023, Askari was sentenced to death in absentia and without legal representation by Branch 2 on charges of “enmity against God (moharebeh).” After he appealed, the court downgraded the charge from “moharebeh” to “armed rebellion (baghi)” but re-issued a death sentence in late October 2023.

Askari’s alleged membership in a Kurdish opposition party was cited as evidence supporting the charges in his case.

Arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, Askari was later moved to a detention facility and, on June 17, 2021, to Urmia Prison.

HRANA’s source reveals another ongoing case accusing Askari of the murder of IRGC member Mostafa Soltani. In 2013-2014, Soltani was injured during a clash with a political opposition party member, passing away six years later from COVID-19. Soltani’s family claims alleged Askari’s involvement in the altercation caused the sustained injury leading to his eventual death.

A new case, opened on July 12, 2021, based on a complaint from the Urmia Prison head, resulted in a three-month imprisonment extension and 50 lashes for “disrupting prison order.”

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

Over 450 Days in Limbo: Continued Detention of Masoud Jamei in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Masoud Jamei, Sheiban Prison

Masoud Jamei, a political detainee with serious health issues, has been held without trial in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 450 days.

A source close to his family told HRANA that a court-appointed attorney was recently assigned to Mr. Jamei. Previously, in one of Ahvaz’s prosecutor’s offices, he was charged with “spreading corruption on earth,” “membership in opposition groups,” and “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.” Despite these charges, he has yet to stand trial and remains in indefinite detention, now entering his 452nd day in Sheiban Prison.

According to HRANA, Jamei suffers from fatty liver disease and gastrointestinal issues. Although he has been sent to the prison infirmary multiple times, his treatment has been limited to basic exams and a few medications. His condition necessitates specialized medical care and a transfer to an external hospital for proper treatment.

Masoud Jamei, around 47 years old and a resident of Ahvaz, was initially detained by security forces on July 31, 2023. His prolonged, unresolved detention continues to place both his health and due process rights at risk.