Tag: HRANA

Civil Rights Activist Sepideh Gholian Receives One Year and Three Months Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, Dezful, Evin Prison, HRANA, Sepideh Gholian, Sepideh Qolian, Shamseddin Jalili Piran

The Tehran Criminal Court has handed down a one-year-and-three-month sentence to civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian (Qolian).

Presiding over the court, Judge Shamseddin Jalili Piran sentenced Gholian for her alleged involvement in “removing hijab, facilitating indecency, and persisting in committing criminal acts.” The detention period served prior to the trial will be deducted from her prison term.

The court session took place behind closed doors on August 22, 2023. The case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, an Iran-state TV reporter with connections to security agencies as an interrogator.

It is worth noting that Gholian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. In her most recent legal case in May 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Gholian of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of custody. Alongside her imprisonment, she faced restrictions that included a ban on joining political or social groups, limitations on cell phone usage, and a two-year prohibition from entering Tehran and its neighboring provinces.

Following her release from Evin Prison, Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, while traveling from Tehran to Dezful. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was subsequently transferred to the Women’s Ward within the facility four days later.

Tragic Suicide Claims Inmate’s Life at Qezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Hamed Mohammadi, HRANA, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

On Wednesday, August 30th, a tragic incident unfolded at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj as an inmate ended his life through a drug overdose.

HRANA has identified him as Hamed Mohammadi who was imprisoned for drug offenses for three years.

According to a source close to Mohammadi’s family, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Mohammadi ingested methamphetamine, ultimately leading to his demise in the prison’s infirmary the following Wednesday morning.

The Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran reported a grim tally of violations against prisoners’ rights in 2022. These violations included 133 instances of physical assaults on inmates, 432 cases of denial of medical care, 204 incidents of unlawful transfer to solitary confinement, 102 attempted hunger strikes, 166 cases of coerced transportation or exile, 4,983 threats against prisoners, 46 instances of prisoners being denied visitors, 652 occurrences of psychological and physical torture, 20 prisoner deaths due to illness, two arrestees losing their lives at the hands of prison authorities, and 14 tragic cases of prisoners taking their own lives.

The disturbing statistics reveal a pressing need for reforms and increased scrutiny within the Iranian prison system to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates.

Hamid-Reza Gharibi Detained in Saveh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamid-Reza Gharibi, HRANA, Saveh

Hamid-Reza Gharibi has been apprehended by security forces in Saveh and moved to an undisclosed location.

According to a source familiar with the Gharibi family’s situation, who shared the information with HRANA, the arrest occurred during the current week by the Ministry of Intelligence agents. Concerns regarding his safety and well-being have emerged as his family remains unaware of his current condition.

Gharibi had previously expressed his discontent with the state of affairs in a video published on social media. In the video, he criticized the Supreme Leader, citing issues like frequent power outages, governmental inefficiency, and the alleged failure to allocate unblocked funds from a recent deal with the U.S. for the betterment of citizens’ lives.

At present, the exact charges leveled against Gharibi remain unknown.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Tehran

Journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested on August 30, 2023, at her residence in Tehran by security forces. The subsequent transfer of Maroufian to the Ershad Courthouse unfolded amidst distressing circumstances, as she reportedly endured physical mistreatment during the apprehension.

According to a source close to her family, on Wednesday morning, security forces forcibly entered Maroufian’s residence, breaking down the door. The incident escalated as Maroufian was subjected to physical aggression. The agents confiscated some of her personal belongings and transferred her to the Ershad Courthouse for further proceedings.

Maroufian’s family is now facing a demand of a two-billion-Toman bail (equivalent to approximately 40,000 dollars) for her potential release, as stated by the source.

The security-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, cited “promoting abominable acts” as the primary basis for Maroufian’s arrest. Specifically, the agency reported that her public appearance in attire deemed inappropriate and the subsequent sharing of a corresponding photograph on social media were cited as pivotal factors that prompted the issuance of her arrest warrant by the Ershad Courthouse.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.

On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

On August 14, she was re-arrested and detained for two days in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.
Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

Former Political Prisoner Hojatollah Rafei Arrested in Shahriar

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hojatollah Rafei, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Shahriar, Shahriar County, Tehran Province

On August 23, yesterday, Hojatollah Rafei, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by intelligence agents of the IRGC in Shahriar, located in Tehran Province. He was subsequently moved to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Rafei’s family informed HRANA that IRGC intelligence agents had apprehended him at his residence. The agents also conducted a thorough search and confiscated some of his belongings.

Rafei, a teacher in Shahriar County, has faced arrests and convictions before for his activism. In February 2023, he was released from Evin Prison in February 2023, following his inclusion in the “general pardon and commutation” directive.

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Mohammad Vaziri Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Chalus, HRANA, Isfahan, Koroush Vaziri, Mohammad Vaziri, Shirin Alizadeh

On August 17, Mohammad (Koroush) Vaziri was arrested by security forces in Isfahan and taken to an undisclosed location. His wife, Shirin Alizadeh fell victim to regime forces in Chalus, Mazandaran province, amid the nationwide protests (aka Mahsa Amini protests).

A source close to the Vaziri family disclosed to HRANA that Vaziri’s detention transpired after a commemorative ceremony at his wife’s gravesite on her birthday. His apprehension unfolded at the entrance of the cemetery. This source outlined that during the arrest, authorities confiscated both his mobile phones and those of his friends and accompanying relatives.

The motives behind this arrest, Vaziri’s current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shirin Alizadeh was tragically shot dead by the police/security forces on September 22 during the 2022 nationwide protests.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Narges Sardari Apprehended in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, Narges Sardari, Tehran

On August 16, Security forces arrested Narges Sardari at her residence in Tehran, subsequently transporting her to an undisclosed destination.

A source connected to her family, who shared insights with HRANA, disclosed that during the apprehension, she was compelled to bring her three-year-old child along, who was later entrusted to a family member a few hours following the incident at the courthouse.

Furthermore, Narges Sardari’s spouse, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, a well-known actor and comedian, has been under detention for more than two months. Etemad Saeed’s arrest was executed by security forces on June 9, 2023, in Tehran. Intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated a portion of his possessions.

The precise reasons underlying her arrest, and her current location are currently unknown.

 

 

Baha’i Citizen Niusha Badiei Sabet Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Babol, HRANA, Niusha Badiei, Niusha Badiei Sabet

On August 15, 2023, security forces apprehended Niusha Badiei Sabet, a Baha’i citizen, in Babol, Mazandaran province, and subsequently transferred her to an undisclosed facility.

According to a source close to her family who spoke with HRANA, Mrs. Badiei Sabet had traveled from Tehran to Babol. On Tuesday evening, security forces detained her and transported her to an undisclosed location. Her family is yet to receive information about her current state.

Badiei Sabet has recently faced a new legal case opened by the Babol Public and Revolutionary Court, the source added.
Badiei Sabet, 38 years old, is a psychologist, translator, and resident of Tehran. Notably, this is not her first encounter with legal challenges.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

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.

Shahab Dalili on Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Iran-US prisoner swap, Shahab Dalili

Shahab Dalili is now on the fourth day of a hunger strike within Evin Prison. He has been serving ten years sentence in prison since 2016 when he was arrested by security forces while leaving the country.

A family member of Dalili corroborating this information during a talk with HRANA, revealed, “Shahab Dalili initiated his hunger strike on Sunday night in response to his omission from the roster of prisoners set for release as stipulated by the recent Iran-US prisoner swap agreement.” His protest has brought about physiological effects such as reduced blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches.

Shahab Dalili and his family have made a specific appeal to the US government. They are urging the authorities to figure in the release of Dalili, who holds permanent residency in the United States, during the impending negotiations between the two nations.

Notably, in the wake of the recent prisoner swap accord, prisoners including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and two unidentified US nationals, have been relocated to house arrest within a hotel.

Shahab Dalili’s ordeal began in 2016 when he traveled to Iran to attend his father’s funeral. It was during his departure back to the US that he was apprehended by security personnel. Subsequently, he was sentenced to a decade in prison on charges of “collaborating with an adversarial nation.” Nonetheless, his name remains absent from the roster of beneficiaries within the current agreement.

Baha’i Couple’s Sentence Upheld by Court of Appeals

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Samieian, Baha'i citizen, Gilan province, HRANA, Rasht, Vesal Momtazi

The Gilan Province Court of Appeals has maintained the prison sentence for the Baha’i couple, Vesal Momtazi and Anisa Samieian.

Originally sentenced by the Rasht Revolutionary Court, Momtazi and Samieian received a combined term of nine years and six months. Mrs. Samieian’s sentence encompasses three years and six months for “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Sharia law,” in addition to seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Mr. Momtazi has received seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” along with one year and three months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and three years and six months for “insulting Sharia law.” He is also facing a fine of 38 million tomans. Both individuals are further subjected to social restrictions lasting a decade.

Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code dictates that each of them will serve three years and six months in prison.

According to an HRANA source close to the family, more than 50 individuals, including friends, colleagues, art students, and their parents, compiled an affidavit attesting to the couple’s adherence to the law. Regrettably, this affirmation was not permitted for presentation during the appellate court proceedings.

On November 4, 2022, security forces searched their residence, resulting in their apprehension. Following his arrest on December 6, 2022, Momtazi was granted bail. Samieian, who was pregnant at the time of her arrest, secured her release on bail after undergoing two interrogation sessions. It’s noteworthy that this Baha’i couple is responsible for the care of two young sons, aged five and about four months.

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.