Tag: Iman Afshari

Atena Farghadani Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Atena Farghadani, Iman Afshari, Qarchak Prison, Varamin, آتنا فرقدانی

The six-year prison sentence of Atena Farghadani, a prominent cartoonist and civil activist detained in Evin Prison, has been reduced to eight months following an appeals court ruling.

A social media page associated with Ms. Farghadani announced that the appeals court had acquitted her of the charge of blasphemy but sentenced her to eight months in prison for creating a cartoon titled “Class Inequality.”

Earlier, Tehran’s Revolutionary Court Branch 26, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, had sentenced her to five years for insulting sanctities and one year for propaganda against the regime.

Ms. Farghadani declined to participate in court sessions related to these charges.

On the evening of Saturday, April 13, 2024, she staged a protest by attempting to display one of her paintings on a wall in Tehran’s Pasteur Street. Security forces intervened violently during the act, arresting her and transferring her to Evin Prison.

Earlier, on June 7, 2023, she was detained after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Days later, the First Branch of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office charged her with disrupting public order. She was eventually released on bail.

Atena Farghadani has faced multiple arrests and convictions in the past due to her activism and artistic work.

Nasrin Roshan: Iranian-British Dual National Serving Three-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nasrin Roshan, Tehran, نسرین روشن

Nasrin Roshan, an Iranian-British dual national, is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in Evin Prison. Her sentence was handed down by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the initial ruling against Ms. Roshan was issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. She was originally sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” However, after filing an appeal, her total sentence was reduced to three years.

Sources close to the case have reported that the charges against Ms. Roshan, who resided in the United Kingdom for many years, were based on her participation in protests abroad following the death of Mahsa Amini.

HRANA’s investigation revealed that Ms. Roshan was arrested on November 16, 2023, at Imam Khomeini International Airport while attempting to leave Iran. She was subsequently detained in a solitary confinement cell within the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Born in 1963, Ms. Roshan was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on January 1, 2024, after completing her interrogation.

This case highlights the ongoing risks faced by dual nationals and activists engaging in protests or dissent abroad.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

66-Year-Old Political Prisoner Sudabeh Fakharzadeh Continues Serving Five-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Sudabeh Fakharzadeh, Tehran, Zeynab Homrang Seyedbeglou, سودابه فخارزاده

Sudabeh Fakharzadeh, a 66-year-old political prisoner, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.

Fakharzadeh was convicted last year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.”

Ms. Fakharzadeh was arrested by security forces in Tehran’s Chitgar Park in March 2023. Following her interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on May 9, 2023.

Her co-defendant in the case, Ms. Zeynab Homrang Seyedbeglou, was released from Evin Prison yesterday.

Sudabeh Fakharzadeh is a former political prisoner, having also been incarcerated during the 1980s.

Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Shahab Nadali Jouzani; Retrial Scheduled for December 3

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hamedan, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Shahab Nadali Jouzani, شهاب نادعلی

The death sentence of Shahab Nadali Jouzani, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been overturned by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court. His case has been referred to a parallel court for retrial, which is scheduled for December 3, 2024.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Branch 39 of the Supreme Court recently overturned the death sentence. The case has been referred to a parallel branch for review, and a retrial is set for December 3.”

In February 2024, Nadali was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “rebellion (Baghi) through membership in opposition groups (the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization).” Additionally, he received a five-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” with his time in pretrial detention credited towards the sentence.

Shahab Nadali Jouzani was arrested on June 6, 2023, by Intelligence Ministry agents in Hamedan and has been detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison ever since.

Now 42 years old, Nadali is married and the father of a 13-year-old daughter. Before his arrest, he worked as a laborer and resided in Hamedan.

Narges Mohammadi Transferred from Evin Prison to Hospital

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News, Prisoners
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Narges Mohammadi, Taghi Rahmani, نرگس محمدی

Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, has been transferred from Evin Prison to a hospital.

Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, announced this news yesterday, stating that, after nearly nine weeks of delay by authorities in addressing her medical needs, Narges Mohammadi has finally been transferred from Evin Prison to a hospital.

Ms. Mohammadi suffers from heart disease, a breast mass, and chronic back pain. She had repeatedly been denied transfer to medical centers for angiography and health evaluations.

Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has faced multiple convictions, was sentenced in January of this year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to fifteen months in prison, two years exile from Tehran and neighboring provinces, a two-year travel ban, a two-year ban on membership in social-political groups, and a two-year ban on using a smartphone for propaganda against the regime.

In October 2020, Mohammadi was released from Zanjan Prison after serving about five and a half years. Shortly after, regarding a case opened against her during her imprisonment, she was sentenced by a Criminal Court in Tehran to thirty months in prison, eighty lashes, and two fines.

In November 2021, during a memorial ceremony for the second anniversary of the death of Ebrahim Ketabdar, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests, she was arrested by security forces in Karaj. Subsequently, Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison, seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and other social deprivations.

In October 2022, regarding another case opened against her during her imprisonment, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year and three months in prison along with other additional punishments. In August of last year, she was also sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi by the Norwegian Nobel Committee “for her courageous fight for freedom and human rights over three decades.”

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Arsham Rezaei Sentenced to Flogging and a Fine on Appeal

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News, Prisoners
Arsham Rezaei, Arsham Rezaie, Evin Prison, Fardis, flogging, Iman Afshari, Jamal al-Din Yassini, Karaj

Branch 41 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of 50 lashes and a monetary fine against Arsham Rezaei, a political prisoner in Evin Prison. The charges stem from a case initiated during his imprisonment.

Rezaei’s mother announced that Judge Seyed Jamal al-Din Yassini of Branch 41 confirmed her son’s conviction, which includes both the flogging and a fine of 16 million tomans. Another prisoner had accused Rezaei of insulting him and issuing death threats, which led to this case during his time in prison.

IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Arsham (Mahmoud) Rezaei at his home in Fardis, Karaj, on October 17, 2023, before transferring him to Evin Prison. His trial took place on December 25, 2023, where Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, alongside a 15-million-toman fine and other penalties.

Rezaei has a history of imprisonment due to his activism.

Flogging is considered a violation of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments. However, Iran continues to enforce such sentences despite widespread domestic and international criticism.

Baha’i Citizen Ataollah Zafar Returns to Evin Prison After Six-Month Suspension

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News, Religious Minorities
Ataollah Zafar, HRANA, Iman Afshari

Ataollah Zafar, an 80-year-old Baha’i citizen, returned to Evin Prison yesterday to serve the remainder of his two-year sentence, following a six-month suspension of his prison term.

According to HRANA, Mr. Zafar was taken back to Evin Prison on Wednesday, October 2, to complete his sentence after the temporary halt.

Zafar was first arrested by security forces on May 1, 2022. Shortly after his arrest, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) to the prison’s general ward.

In July 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Zafar to five years in prison for “membership in illegal groups aimed at disrupting national security.” The sentence was later reduced to two years by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Zafar has a history of previous arrests and convictions. He was released on bail from Evin Prison on October 29, 2022, after his sentence was suspended. In March 2023, his case was closed as part of a pardon.

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 Prisoners Behrooz Ehsani and Mehdi Hasani Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Behrooz Ehsani, Behrouz Ehsani. Mehdi Hasani, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Hassani

Political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani and Mehdi Hasani have been sentenced to death. These verdicts were issued by Judge Iman Afshari, the head of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari and communicated to their lawyer, they have been sentenced to death. The charges against them include “armed rebellion (Baghi), enmity against God (Moharebeh), spreading corruption on earth (Efsad-e Fel-Arz), membership in the Mojahedin, gathering classified information, and assembly and collusion against national security.”

On Monday, November 28, 2022, Mr. Ehsani was arrested at his home in Tehran and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Mr. Hasani was also arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave the country in Zanjan and was transferred to Evin Prison. Both individuals spent months in a state of uncertainty and incommunicado detention.

Behrooz Ehsani is 64 years old. Mehdi Hasani, aged around 48, is married and the father of two children. Before his arrest, he was active in the real estate sector.

Revolutionary Court Sentences 8 Political Defendants to Over 42 Years in Prison, Flogging, and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Herati Mokhtari, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Iman Afshari, Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Shahin Zahmatkesh

Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Amin Sokhanvar, Amir Shah Velayati, Ali Herati Mokhtari, Shahin Zahmatkesh, and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini were sentenced to a total of 42 years and 3 months in prison, 25 years of exile, and 74 lashes by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The prison sentences of Amir Shah Velayati and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, each initially sentenced to two years, were converted to fines.

Detailed Sentences:

  1. Nasim Gholami Simiyari: aged around 40, she was sentenced to 20 years of exile in Angouran, Zanjan Province, where she is to live under judicial supervision without social interactions, 1 year in prison, 74 lashes for disrupting public order, and 5 years in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  2. Hamidreza Sahlabadi: aged around 38, he was sentenced to 5 years of exile in Shazand, Arak Province, under similar conditions, and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  3. Amin Sokhanvar: aged around 26, he was sentenced to 4 years in prison for membership in opposition groups and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  4. Ehsan Ravazjiyan: aged around 33, he received 3 years in prison for membership in opposition groups and 3 years and 7 months in prison for assembly and collusion against national security.
  5. Ali Herati Mokhtari: aged around 25, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for illegal possession of tear gas and 2 years for possessing six illegal bullets.
  6. Amir Shah Velayati: aged around 26, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for assembly and collusion, converted to an 80 million toman fine.
  7. Hossein Mohammad Hosseini: aged around 37, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for assembly and collusion, converted to a fine of 165 million tomans.
  8. Hossein Ardestani: aged 37, he was acquitted of all charges.
  9. Shahin Zahmatkesh: aged around 41, he was sentenced to 1 year in prison for anti-state propaganda, 5 years for assembly and collusion, and 5 years for inciting unrest. He currently resides outside of Iran.
  10. Siamak Tadayyon and Farid Golsheni: Their cases remain open, as they were charged with involvement in the so-called “Iranian People’s Army terrorist group” but have evaded capture.

Background of the Arrests:

  • Nasim Gholami Simiyari was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in Tehran on May 18, 2023, and later transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on September 26, 2023.
  • Hamidreza Sahlabadi was detained at his residence on July 3, 2023, and later sentenced to 2 years for property damage by a criminal court in Tehran.
  • Ehsan Ravazjiyan was arrested in Malayer on August 8, 2023, and subsequently moved to Evin Prison.
  • Amin Sokhanvar was arrested at his home in Tehran in April 2023 and is currently held in Evin Prison.
  • Hossein Ardestani was detained on January 22, 2023, and released on bail after a period of detention.
  • Ali Herati Mokhtari and Hossein Mohammad Hosseini were also previously arrested and released on bail.
  • Amir Shah Velayati was summoned to Evin Court on January 23, 2024, charged with anti-state propaganda and other offenses, and released on bail on March 11, 2024.

 

Revolutionary Court Sentences Esmaeil Gerami to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Esmail Gerami, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari

Esmail Gerami, a workers’ rights advocate imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, according to Iranian Retirees Council.

The verdict, issued by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran and delivered to Mr. Gerami in prison today, convicts him of “propaganda against the regime” for participating in retirees’ protests, sentencing him to one year of imprisonment. The court session for reviewing his charges took place on August 27 of this year.

On August 7, security forces searched Mr. Gerami’s residence, confiscating personal items including his laptop, mobile phone, and national ID card, and summoned him to Shahid Moghaddas Court in Evin.

Four day later, Esmail Gerami was arrested after appearing at Evin Court and transferred to Evin Prison’s quarantine ward. He was later moved to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

Earlier this year, in July, Esmail Gerami was fined by Branch 1027 of the Tehran Criminal Court 2.

Esmail (Esmaeil) Gerami has a history of arrests and judicial encounters due to his activism.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.