Tag: HRANA

Amir Hossein Haghjooyan Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Amir Hossein Haghjooyan, Dizelabad Prison, HRANA, Kermanshah, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh

On September 23, 2024, Amir Hossein Haghjooyan, a relative of Reza Rasaei, an executed protester, was arrested by security forces in Sahneh County, Kermanshah province, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Haghjooyan was detained by several members of IRGC Intelligence in Sahneh and moved to an unknown location.”

As of now, no details have emerged regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges he may face.

Haghjooyan is the son of Kheirallah Haghjooyan, a member of the Yarsan Civil Activists Consultative Assembly, and a cousin and close companion of Reza Rasaei, who was executed in August 2023.

It’s important to note that Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, was secretly executed at dawn on August 6, 2023, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without prior notice to his family or a final meeting with them.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic faith founded in western Iran during the 14th century by Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, followers of Yarsan often face systemic persecution and harassment by Iranian authorities.

Baha’i Citizen Sepehr Naeimi Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, HRANA, Sepehr Jafari Naeimi, Yazd

Sepehr Jafari Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen from Yazd, has been sentenced in absentia to 24 months in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Yazd. The charges against him stem from his social media posts about the death of Mahsa Amini and the Baha’i faith.

In a ruling issued on September 22 by Branch 1 of the Yazd Revolutionary Court, Naeimi received an eight-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and an additional 16 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.”

A source close to Naeimi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “The charges against Mr. Naeimi are based on posts shared on his Instagram page related to Mahsa Amini’s death and the Baha’i faith.”

In early 2023, Naeimi was summoned to the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office for questioning regarding his social media content and was released after interrogation. In December 2023, he was summoned again to the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the same case and was released on bail following further questioning.

Sepehr Jafari Naeimi, 24-year-old resident of Yazd, is the son of Ahmad Naeimi, who also has faced judicial issues in the past.

Baha’i Citizen Sina Aghdasi Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Sina Aghdasi, Tabriz

Sina Aghdasi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tabriz, was arrested today, September 16, by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Aghdasi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “This morning, Mr. Aghdasi was arrested at his home by security forces. During the raid, the security forces searched the house and confiscated his and his family members’ mobile phones.”

No information is currently available regarding the reasons for Sina Aghdasi’s arrest or his place of detention.

This Baha’i citizen has previously been arrested due to his religious beliefs.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

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.

Political Prisoner Maziar Seyednejad Transferred from Evin Prison to Hospital

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Maziar Seyednejad

Maziar Seyednejad, a workers’rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, was transferred to a hospital outside the prison today due to his deteriorating health.

Based on information received by HRANA, this political prisoner suffers from sciatica pain and was sent to Shahid Tajrish Hospital this morning.

Recently, Seyednejad was denied medical care and hospital transfer due to his refusal to wear prison clothes during his transfer, as prison authorities made excuses to prevent his hospital visit.

This workers’rights activist was arrested by security forces on June 7, 2021, at his home in Tehran and was taken to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center, known as Ward 2A of Evin Prison. He was eventually released on bail of 600 million tomans on August 16 of that year.

In December 2022, Maziar Seyednejad was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” As additional punishment, he was sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country, a ban on membership in parties and groups, and a ban on online activities. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a two-year prison term will be enforceable for him.

Finally, on May 21 of 2023, he was sent to Evin Prison to serve his two-year sentence and was subsequently transferred to Ward 6 of this prison. Seyednejad has a prior history of arrests and convictions due to his activism.

Poet Ali Jahanian Arrested by Security Forces in Nahavand

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Jahanian, Fereshteh Souri, Hamedan, HRANA, Nahavand

On September 9, Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist, was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Nahavand and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Jahanian and his wife, Mrs. Fereshteh Souri, were arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at their residence in Nahavand. His wife was released after several hours of interrogation on bail. Security agents also searched their home during the arrest and confiscated some of the couple’s personal belongings, including their mobile phones.”

The source added, “Ali Jahanian has been transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan following his arrest.”

So far, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him have not been disclosed.

Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist residing in Nahavand, has previously been arrested due to his activities.

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Court of Appeals Upholds Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Paridokht Shojaei

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Kerman Province, Paridokht Shojaei Bagheini

The Court of Appeals of Kerman Province has upheld the two-year and one-month prison sentence for Paridokht Shojaei Bagheini, a Baha’i citizen from Kerman.

The ruling, issued by Branch 7 of the Kerman Court of Appeals on September 9, confirms her sentence of two years and one month for “engaging in educational/promotional activities contrary to or disruptive of Islamic Sharia.” The verdict was delivered to Ms. Shojaei recently.

A source close to the Shojaei family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that the Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s decision without holding a hearing. The family plans to pursue the case in the Supreme Court.

Shojaei Bagheini was arrested in July last year at the home of another Baha’i citizen in Kerman and was released on bail in early August. Her trial, along with the cases of four other Baha’i citizens, was held in Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

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.

Omid Izadi Sadeghabadi Arrested and Transferred to Prison to Serve Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Omid Izadi Sadegh-Abadi, Shahrekord

Omid Izadi Sadegh Abadi, a citizen with disabilities, has been arrested and transferred to Shahrekord Prison to serve his prison sentence. This is despite the fact that he suffers from multiple physical health issues.

Based on information received by HRANA, this citizen had gone to court on August 26 to pay his fine, but was arrested and transferred to Ward 4 of Shahrekord Prison to serve his sentence.

A source close to the family confirmed the news and explained Mr. Izadi’s health condition: “He suffers from an illness similar to MS (Multiple Sclerosis), which has affected his nervous system, mobility, and speech. He cannot walk independently and has difficulty speaking.”

The source added that the prison sentence and fine were recently upheld by the Court of Appeals of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.

In April of this year, Omid Izadi Sadeghabadi was sentenced by Branch 101 of the Second Criminal Court of Saman County to four years of imprisonment and a fine for charges of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic (media activities supporting the Zionist regime)” and “spreading false information with the intent to disturb public opinion.”

Omid Izadi Sadeghabadi, aged around 36, resides in Saman County.

Two Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Abdulrahman Tajik, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Sajjad Bandegi

At dawn today, September 11, two prisoners previously arrested and sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the executed prisoners as Sajjad Bandegi and Abdulrahman Tajik, the latter being an Afghan national. Both had been sentenced to death for drug offenses. Yesterday, they, along with another inmate, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The third prisoner, whose identity remains undisclosed, is still being held in solitary confinement, awaiting further action.

As of this report, prison authorities and official sources have not formally announced the 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 in Nowshahr Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, HRANA, Morteza Yousefi

Morteza Yousefi, who was a former champion of Iran’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team, was executed at dawn today, Wednesday, September 11, in Nowshahr Prison. He had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses.

The identity of the prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Morteza Yousefi, approximately 41 years old, a resident of the village of Sang-e Tajen, Nowshahr, with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a former champion of Iran’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team.

Mr. Yousefi had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

In a prior letter to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, Yousefi had written that three judges involved in his case had requested a reduction in his sentence, and that the Supreme Court had overturned his death sentence, which had also been approved by the Supreme Leader’s pardon commission. In the letter, he wrote that the implementation of his pardon required only final approval and the order of the head of the judiciary.

Shortly after, Hassan Rangraz, head coach of Iran’s national Greco-Roman wrestling team, also shared an image of Yousefi’s letter and urged the head of the judiciary to revoke the death sentence and reduce his punishment.

However, the requests by Yousefi and the support of athletes and wrestling officials were ignored by the judiciary, and Morteza Yousefi was finally executed at dawn today in Nowshahr Prison.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced his 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.

Denial of Medical Treatment for Alireza Torfi, Detained Citizen in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Alireza Torfi, HRANA, Sheiban Prison

Alireza Torfi, a political detainee, has been held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for six months without formal charges. He has also been denied proper medical care and transfer to healthcare facilities.

A source familiar with Torfi’s health confirmed to HRANA: “Alireza suffers severely from kidney stones, to the extent that he is unable to move. Yet, he has been deprived of specialized medical attention and transfer to a hospital.”

Torfi, 36, was arrested by security forces in March of this year and transferred to Sheiban Prison.

As of this report, no information regarding the charges against Torfi has been made available.