Tag: HRANA

Concerns Mount Over Zohreh Sayadi’s Health Condition as Medical Treatment Denied in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran, Zohreh Sayadi

Zohreh Sayadi, a political prisoner, continues to serve her one-year sentence in Evin Prison, but her deteriorating health condition remains a cause for concern. Despite suffering from colon cancer, she has been denied essential medical treatment, raising serious questions about her well-being.

Reliable sources close to Sayadi’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the prison infirmary has provided her with only a minimal injection. The lack of ongoing treatment has exacerbated her illness, and her condition continues to worsen. Frustratingly, due to hindrances imposed by prison officials, she has not yet received a certificate of penal intolerance, further delaying potentially life-saving interventions.

In December 2019, security forces arrested her in Tehran. She was released on bail after a while.

Last year, she was handed down a one-year sentence which was upheld on appeal. On May 30, 2023, she was imprisoned in Evin Prison to commence serving her sentence.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.

Execution of Five Inmates, Including Female Prisoner, in Rajai Shahr Prison

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Executions, News
Fatemeh Yousefabadi, HRANA, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison

On July 12, 2023, Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of five individuals, one of whom was a woman, all convicted of murder.

HRANA has identified the executed woman as Fatemeh Yousefabadi. Just one day before her execution, she was transferred from Qarchak Prison to solitary confinement in Rajai Shahr Prison, where the final verdict was carried out.

HRANA is working on identifying three other inmates.

At present, no official sources or media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

Four Baha’i Citizens Sentenced Each to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Ataollah Zafar, Bahais, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mansour Amini, Shadi Shahidzadeh, Valiollah Ghadamian, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

In a ruling by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Shadi Shahidzadeh, Mansour Amini, Valiollah Ghadamian, and Ataollah Zafar, four Baha’i citizens, have each been sentenced to five years in prison.

Judge Iman Afshar, presiding over the court, issued these sentences based on the charge of “membership in illegal groups to disrupt national security.” The court session took place on May 31, 2023.
According to a reliable source close to their families, who spoke to HRANA, despite starting their trial, they are still under interrogation as they are jailed in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

These Bahais were arrested by security forces on May 1, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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.

Execution of Four Inmates in Khorramabad and Bandar Abbas Revealed

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Executions, News
Bandar-Abbas, HRANA, Khorramabad, Mizan, Yaser Golzardian

On July 2, 2023, an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed in Parseylun Prison, located in Khorramabad Province.

The individual has been identified as Yaser Golzardian, according to HRANA. Having been transferred to solitary confinement the day prior, he awaited his execution.

As of the time of this report, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have made any mention of this particular execution.

In a separate incident, Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, disclosed the execution of three inmates at Bandar Abbas prison on July 4. These death-row prisoners had received sentences of death for committing rape. The individuals, working as nurses and technicians, reportedly exploited their positions to sexually assault victims by administering anesthesia under the pretense of a beauty procedure. However, the report did not provide details about the identities of the executed individuals.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

Former Political Prisoner Milad Arsanjani Arrested Once Again

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Milad Arsanjani

On July 2, 2023, Milad Arsanjani, a former political prisoner who had previously been detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, was once again apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Arsanjani was arrested at his father’s residence. The specific reasons for his arrest have not yet been disclosed.

Arsanjani had previously been arrested in September 2022 during the nationwide protests and subsequently imprisoned in Evin Prison. From January 9 to 12, 2023, he was temporarily transferred to a Police Criminal Investigation Department detention facility. This political prisoner was later released from Evin Prison under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

It is worth noting that Arsanjani has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

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Update on Zohreh Sarve’s Health Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, irgc, Zohreh Sarv

Political prisoner Zohreh Sarv is serving her six-year sentence in Evin Prison. Zohreh Sarve’s medical condition in Evin Prison has raised concerns, as reported by a reliable source who spoke to HRANA.

She is currently suffering from knee injuries and potential breast cysts, requiring medical treatment such as sonography and MRI tests. Despite the approval of the head of the prison infirmary, prison officials have denied her request to be transported to a hospital for the necessary treatments.

In September 2021, Sarve was arrested by security forces and initially held in IRGC ward A-1. Following the conclusion of the interrogation process, she was transferred to Evin Prison after one month.

Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a seven-year sentence for Sarve, charging her with “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The prison term is enforceable for a duration of six years.

It is important to note that Sarve has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. Prior to her arrest, she was actively engaged on social media platforms.

 

Baha’i Couple Faces Nine-Year and Six-Month Combined Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Samieian, Baha'i citizens, Bahais faith, HRANA, Iranian Bahais, Rasht, Vesal Momtazi

Vesal Momtazi and Anisa Samieian, a Baha’i couple, have been collectively sentenced to a nine-year and six-month prison term by the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to the verdict issued on June 13 by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, Mrs. Samieian received a sentence of seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” along with three years and six months for “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Sharia law.” Meanwhile, Mr. Momtazi has been sentenced to seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” one year and three months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and three years and six months for “insulting Sharia law.” In addition, he has been fined 38 million tomans. Both individuals are also subjected to social deprivations for a period of ten years. If these verdicts are upheld on appeal, each of them will serve three years and six months in prison.

On November 4, 2022, security forces conducted a search of their residence, resulting in their arrest. Mr. Momtazi was released on bail after his arrest on December 6, 2022. Mrs. Samieian, who was pregnant at the time, was granted release on bail following two interrogation sessions. It is important to note that this Baha’i couple has two young sons, aged five and three months.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the breach of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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.

Maryam Abbasi Nikoo Arrested in Shahi Shahr: Family Subjected to Violence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bita Shafiee, HRANA, Isfahan, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, Shahi Shahr

On June 26, 2023, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo was forcefully apprehended by IRGC Intelligence agents at her residence in Shahi Shahr, Isfahan Province. She was subsequently taken to a detention facility, following a violent arrest that involved the search of her home and physical assault on her husband.

According to a reliable source close to her family, who spoke to HRANA, Abbasi Nikoo was arrested at her home on Monday evening. During the arrest, IRGC Intelligence agents conducted a search, resulting in damage to their belongings and physical harm inflicted upon her husband.

It is worth noting that Abbasi Nikoo’s 17-year-old daughter, Bita Shafiee, had previously been detained by security forces for her involvement in protests against serial poison attacks on schools. Shafiee was later released.

Despite these developments, the specific reasons behind Abbasi Nikoo’s arrest and the charges against her remain undisclosed.

Multiple Individuals Arrested for Participation in Clubhouse Communities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Abdi Ahraz, Amir Akhavan, Clubhouse, Danial Amin, Evin Prison, Farhang Azadmanesh, HRANA, Mahvash Seydali, Narges Seydali, Nima Avidnia, Sarvenaz Misaghian

Security forces have recently apprehended a number of individuals who were actively engaged in social media communities on Clubhouse. Among those detained are Mahvash (Sayeh) Seydali, Sarvenaz Misaghian, Danial Amin, Amir Akhavan, Nima Avidnia, Farhang Azadmanesh, and Alireza Abdi Ahraz.

Despite the passing of six days since their arrests, there is still a lack of information regarding the whereabouts of some of these individuals.

According to reports obtained from HRANA, Alireza Abdi is currently incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Additionally, Narges Seydali confirmed her sister Mahvash Seydali’s arrest through a social media post. However, the specific reasons behind their arrests and the allegations against them remain undisclosed.

Clubhouse, a social audio app, is widely utilized by many Iranians who actively express their opinions and engage in discussions on various topics.

Mahmood Mehrabi Indicted for “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Mahmood Mehrabi

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Mobarakeh Public and Revolutionary Courthouse, Branch 1, has indicted Mahmood Mehrabi on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to Mehrabi’s lawyer, who spoke to HRANA, Mehrabi is currently detained in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. He was arrested for publishing online content that encouraged people to participate in protests. “So far, my colleagues and I have been denied the opportunity to represent my client,” his lawyer added.

On February 1, 2023, security forces arrested Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was initially released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested just a few hours later at his residence. A reliable source close to his family revealed that the reason for his re-arrest was a social media post he published.