Tag: HRANA

Report on the Latest Status of Iman Salehi, a Christian Convert in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Ahvaz Revolutionary court, Bijan Gholizadeh, Esmaeil Narimanpour, Farshad Arzan Barzin, Hamid Afzali, Houshang Bagheri, HRANA, Iman Salehi, Nasrollah Mousavi, Sheiban Prison, Yasin Mousavi, Zohrab Shahbazi Nejad

Christian convert Iman Salehi is currently serving his sentence in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz. He was previously sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to five years in prison and paying a fine.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Salehi was arrested by security forces on December 24, 2024. Later, in late June of this year, he was sentenced by Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Fathinia, to five years in prison and a fine of 50 million tomans for “propaganda against the regime through promoting Zionist Christianity.” This Christian convert suffers from gum infection and has been denied specialized medical care in Sheiban Prison.

A source informed HRANA, “Iman Salehi, along with eight other Christian converts—Yasin Mousavi, Esmaeil Narimanpour, Hamid Afzali, Zohrab Shahbazi Nejad, Bijan Gholizadeh, Nasrollah Mousavi, Houshang Bagheri, and Farshad Arzan Barzin—are involved in a joint case. These individuals were separately arrested at the same time as Mr. Salehi and were later released on bail of 700 million tomans each, pending their appeal hearing. However, Iman Salehi remains in prison due to financial inability to post bail.”

The court session addressing their charges was held on May 27, 2024, in Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. Shortly after, the sentences for these Christian converts were issued. Following an appeal, their case has been referred to Branch 16 of the Appeals Court.

It is worth noting that Bijan Gholizadeh passed away in a car accident on August 24, 2024, on the Boroujen road in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.

Iman Salehi, 38, the father of one child, and resides in Ahvaz. Before his arrest, he worked as a farmer.

While Christians are legally recognized as a religious minority in Iran, the conversion of Muslims to Christianity is closely monitored by security agencies, often resulting in severe repercussions for those involved.

This persecution persists despite Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to freedom of religion, including the right to change one’s faith and to practice it individually or collectively, publicly or privately.

Prisoner Executed in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad

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Executions, News
HRANA, Khorramabad, Kuhdasht, Meysam Hosseinkhani, Parsilon Prison

On August 28, 2024, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on murder charges was executed in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Meysam Hosseinkhani, a resident of Kuhdasht. He was previously arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.
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.

Mahmoud Sadeghi Attempts Suicide in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, HRANA, mahmoud sadeghi, Shiraz

Mahmoud Sadeghi, a political prisoner held in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, attempted suicide by cutting his wrist. After receiving medical treatment, he was punitively placed alongside inmates convicted of violent crimes, disregarding the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their offenses.

A source close to Sadeghi’s family told HRANA: “Mr. Sadeghi recently attempted suicide by cutting his wrist due to the harsh conditions in solitary confinement in the Education Ward. After receiving treatment, he was punitively transferred to one of the solitary cells in the Ershad Ward. Following his protest against the poor conditions there, he was moved, handcuffed and shackled by Mr. Shirvani, an Ershad Ward officer, to the area where prisoners convicted of violent crimes are held.”

The source added, “On the orders of the Ershad Ward officer in Adelabad Prison, this prisoner was beaten by inmates convicted of violent crimes.”

Mahmoud Sadeghi, a political prisoner, had previously been sentenced to imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court.

A Report on the Latest Status of Student Ehsan Faridi in Tabriz Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ehsan Faridi, HRANA, Tabriz Prison, احسان فریدی

Ehsan Faridi, a student at Tabriz Technical College, remains in an uncertain situation in Tabriz Prison more than seventy days after his arrest. A court session addressing part of his case was held today, Wednesday, in the Criminal Court Two of Tabriz.

A source close to Faridi’s family confirmed to HRANA, saying:, “on Wednesday, August 28, a court session for another part of Mr. Faridi’s case was held in the Criminal Court Two of Tabriz. Additionally, a court session for another part of his case was held on August 3rd in the Tabriz Revolutionary Court via video conference. Faridi has been held in an uncertain state in Tabriz Prison for 72 days, and so far, temporary release on bail has not been granted.”

This citizen was arrested on June 18th after appearing at the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to the city’s prison.

At the time of this report, the charges against Mr. Faridi have not been disclosed.

Faridi, 21, a student in Manufacturing Engineering, was previously arrested on March 8th and transferred to Tabriz Prison. He was eventually released on bail after ten days.

Political Prisoner Hossein Kooshki Nejad Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hossein Kooshki Nejad, HRANA, حسین کوشکی نژاد

Hossein Kooshki Nejad, a political prisoner currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison, has been suffering from physical ailments for some time. His repeated requests for transfer to medical centers outside the prison have been denied.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed this to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Kooshki Nejad is suffering from a meniscus tear in his knee, and doctors have emphasized that he needs surgery. He has submitted multiple written requests for transfer to a hospital. Despite his need for medical attention, his requests have consistently been denied.”

Kooshki Nejad was arrested on April 7th of this year to serve his sentence and was transferred to Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Last year, he faced new legal charges in Khorramabad’s Prosecutor’s Office. The indictment for this case, accusing him of “propaganda activities against the regime,” was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Subsequently, a judge sentenced him to one year in prison.

Kooshki Nejad, born in 1988, is the brother of Reza Koushki Nejad, who was arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022.

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Teacher Union Activist Mokhtar Asadi Remains Detained in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mokhtar Asadi, Sanandaj, مختار اسدی

Mokhtar Asadi, a teachers’ union activist from Sanandaj, remains in detention at Evin Prison despite the judiciary setting bail at 500 million tomans.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Asadi is currently in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. In a phone call with his family, he mentioned that the Evin Prosecutor’s Office has set a bail of 500 million tomans for his temporary release.

Mr. Asadi was arrested on Monday, August 19, after reporting to Iran’s cyber police.

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

in May of this year, this teachers’ union activist was summoned and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj.

Mokhtar Asadi has a history of arrests and legal confrontations due to his union activities.

Political Activist Ali Moeini Remains Detained in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moeini, HRANA, Isfahan, علی معینی

Despite 17 days having passed since his arrest, Ali Moeini, a political activist residing in Isfahan, remains in indefinite detention. The lack of information regarding his condition has heightened concerns among his family.

A source confirmed to HRANA: “Despite 17 days having passed since Mr. Moeini’s arrest and his family’s repeated follow-ups with judicial authorities, the relevant officials continue to refrain from providing a clear response regarding his situation. This has escalated the concerns of his family and close associates. Two days ago, he was only able to confirm his well-being in a brief phone call.”

Mr. Moeini has been denied access to a lawyer during his detention.

This political activist was arrested on August 10, 2023, in Isfahan.

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, his place of detention, or the charges against him. Ali Moeini, who has a history of legal confrontations due to his activism, is married and the father of a three-year-old child.

Detention Order for Baha’i Citizen Nahid Behroozi Extended

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alborz province, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kachooie Prison, Nahid Behroozi

Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen, remains in a state of uncertainty in Kachooie Prison, Karaj, 26 days after her arrest. Today, her detention order was extended for another week.

A source close to Behroozi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “Today, Ms. Behroozi’s detention order was extended for another week. Despite 25 days having passed since her arrest, she remains in a state of uncertainty in Kachooie Prison, Karaj.”
This Baha’i citizen was transferred to Kachooie Prison, Karaj, on August 15th after completing interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

Behroozi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence agents at her home in Fardis, Alborz province, on Monday, July 29, 2024.

The reasons for Behroozi’s arrest and the charges against her remain unknown.

Mazaher Heydari Continues Hunger Strike in Shahr-e Kord Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Gonabadi Dervish, HRANA, Mazaher Heydari, Shahr-e Kord, Shahrekord, مظاهر حیدری

Mazaher Heydari, a Gonabadi Dervish currently imprisoned in Shahr-e Kord, has been on a hunger strike for over 12 days and has been denied the right to make phone calls to his family.

A source close to Heydari’s family confirmed to HRANA, “Mr. Heydari began his hunger strike on Saturday, August 10, in protest against the 40-month prison sentence issued against him. Since then, the authorities have deprived him of phone calls to his family, and in protest, he has sewn his lips shut.”

In June of this year, Heydari was arrested by security forces in Shahr-e Kord and later transferred to the city’s prison. That same month, he was sentenced in absentia by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahr-e Kord, presided over by Judge Balanian, to a total of 40 months in prison on charges of “disturbing public opinion,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, 32 months in prison, will be enforced.

Mazaher Heydari has previously faced legal actions due to his activities.

The Gonabadi Dervishes (Darvishes) are members of a Sufi Muslim community in Iran, known for their spiritual practices and emphasis on mysticism. Despite their peaceful beliefs, the Gonabadi Dervishes have faced increasing persecution by the Iranian regime, which views their independence and religious practices as a threat to the state’s control over religious expression. Over the years, many members of this community have been subjected to arrests, imprisonment, and harassment, with their leaders often targeted by the authorities.

Parivash Moslemi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political defendant imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling recently issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Moslemi in prison two days ago, she has been sentenced to two years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to the family of this political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Moslemi did not attend any of the sessions related to her charges, including interrogations and court hearings. She had previously declared in writing and verbally that she did not recognize these proceedings and would not participate.”

Moslemi was arrested on July 7 after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in Varamin.