Tag: iran human rights

Two Political Prisoners in Urmia Sentenced to Prison Exile

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Prisoners
hassan galvani, iran human rights, iran political prisoners, Urmia prison, vahed behabahani

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – On August 1, 2018, political prisoners Hassan Galvani and Vahed Bebahani were reportedly sentenced to a total of eleven years of prison exile by branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. They were reportedly arrested on May 4th and transferred to Urmia’s central prison.

The Judge, Ali Sheikhloo, sentenced Mr Galvani to five years of prison exile in the northwestern city of Ardabil and Mr Behbahani to six years of prison in exile in the north-central city of Qazvin. They were both charged with “Cooperation with anti-regime political parties”.

The details of their case were given to HRANA by a credible source who said Mr Galvani and Mr Behabhani were respectively held in sections 3-4 and 14 of Urmia’s central prison.

According to the source, both Mr Galvani and Mr Behbahani have exercised their right to appeal.

Hassan Galvani and Vahed Bebahani spent two months under detention by the forces of the Ministry of Intelligence before being transferred to Urmia’s central prison.

Zahedan Prisoner Osman Falazehi Denied Medical Care

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Prisoners
iran human rights, medical neglect, osman falazehi

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – A prisoner identified as Osman Falazehi, 60, who is detained in section 4 of Zahedan’s central prison, has reportedly been denied medical care for more than two months.

Mr Falazehi was reportedly arrested two months ago on charges related to the participation in a group clash with security forces that occurred two decades ago. He was severely beaten and tortured on arrest in a detention center operated by the security police. Despite the poor state of his health, he was transferred to Zahedan’s central prison where is being medical care.

Osman Falazehi was first held in a detention center operated by the Intelligence department. Twelve days ago he was sent to section 6 of Zahedan’s central prison and subsequently to section 4. Mr Falazehi has yet to receive a day in court.

According to a source close to Osman, the prisoner’s brother was arrested twenty years ago in Iranshahr on drug charges. The arrest led to clashes in which dozens of security officials were killed and the arrestee was able to flee. Mr Falazehi was reportedly not there on that day and he was able to prove his innocence after he went to the Intelligence offices.

Now, after twenty years, Osman Falazehi was arrested in connection to his alleged role in the clash, the source said. According to the source, Mr Falazehi’s brother is an influential man in the region and Mr Falazehi was reportedly arrested to place pressure on his brother, the source said.

Azerbaijani Activist Released While Another Remains in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Prisoners
azerbaijani activist in Iran, babak fort, Ebrahim Noori, Evin Prison, iran human rights, kiumars eslami, kiyomars eslami

Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) – Ebrahim Noori, an Azerbaijani activist from the city of Ahar who was arrested during the Babak Fort gatherings on July 2 and sent to Ward 209 of Tehran’s Evin Prison continues to be held after almost 40 days. Mr Noori is reportedly banned from contacting his family.
A source close to Mr Noori told HRANA that Mr Noori was only allowed to speak to his brother on the phone “for a few seconds”.
Born in 1991 in the city of Ahar, Mr Noori was previously convicted twice of “Acting against national security by waging propaganda against the regime.” He had received a combined suspended sentence of 16 months.
Babak Fort, a monument built during the pre-Islamic Sassanian period, is named after Babak Khorramdin, known for leading an uprising against the Abbasid caliphate in 893. In recent years, it has become a place of symbolic gatherings for Azerbaijani activists, especially during the annual commemorations in the first week of July.
Kiyomars Eslami, another Azerbaijani activist, was also arrested during the same annual gatherings. He was reportedly released on bail on August 9th.
Mr Eslami, who hails from the city of Moqan, was released on Thursday after a month in Moqan Prison. He posted a bail worth 120 million rials. He was arrested on July 4 and suffered bleeding in the head after he was beaten by Iranian authorities during interrogations. Mr Eslami had gone on a nine-day hunger strike which he began on July 28 in protest to the prison conditions and his unclear situation.
Ebrahim Noori is the only individual who remains detained from those who were arrested in connection to the Babak Fort gatherings.

Telegram Admin Hamidreza Amini Charged in Court Hearing

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Prisoners
Evin Prison, hamidreza amini, iran human rights, judge Salavati, telegram admin arrested

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – On Sunday, August 12, 2018, a court hearing was held for Hamidreza Amini, the admin of a telegram channel, in branch 9 of Tehran’s criminal court, presided by Judge Kashkuli. Mr Amini was charged with “Insulting the Prophet” and “Blasphemy”.

Mr Amini’s lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, confirmed the news and told HRANA that he anticipates for the “Insulting the Prophet” charge to be dropped and that the outcome of the trial should be announced in the coming days.

On June 11, 2018, HRANA reported that a scheduled court hearing for Hamidreza Amini to investigate the charge of “Insulting the Supreme Leader and other high-ranking Iranian officials” was postponed by branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati. The hearing was reportedly postponed based on Article 48 of Iran’s Penal Code and to give Mr Amini time to select a court-appointed lawyer.

An informed source had told HRANA in June: “During the court session, Hamidreza Amini said he would not answer any questions without the presence of his lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi. Judge Salavati responded that his lawyer’s name is not on the list of 20 court-appointed defense lawyers. As a result, Mr Aghasi was not allowed to attend the hearing. His trial was delayed until the appointment of a lawyer.”

On May 30, 2018, Hamidreza Amini was reportedly sentenced by Branch 57 of a new court focused on media crimes to pay approximately a $4,000 USD (40,000,000 Rials) fine for the charge of publishing lies (against officials, government organizations and institutions) with the aim of disturbing public opinion.

Hamidreza Amini has been detained since December of last year on charges of “Disseminating lies”, “Blasphemy” and “Insulting high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic”. He was arrested by security forces on December 2, 2017, and transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison’s Ward 2A, a section of the prison under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Davari Arrested

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Prisoners
iran human rights, iran protests, Mohammad Davari

Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA)- Mohammad Davari, a civil rights activist from the city of Yasouj (southwestern Iran), was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence forces on August 10, 2018, at his parent’s home. Mr Davari was reportedly held incommunicado for three days before he was transferred to Yasouj’s central prison.

A source close to Mr Davari confirmed the news and told HRANA: “After the three days, he was remanded without bail for two months, and is currently in solitary confinement. At the time of his arrest, the agents confiscated some of his personal belongings such as his mobile phone, laptop and written notes.”

Mohammad Davari was previously detained on March 5, 2018, for pulling down a banner during the widespread popular protests in Iran. He was released eight days later on a 50 million Tomans (approximately $10,000 USD) bail. The authorities reportedly told Mr Davari’s family that he was arrested on the charge of “Acting against national security through disturbing the public peace of mind”.

Mohammad Davari, 26, was born in Deshdasht and is studying master of Political Science. He was arrested another time following the death of Hashemi Rafsanjani when he pulled down a banner bearing Rafsanjani’s photo. He was later released on bail.

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Prisoner Executed on Murder Charges in Ardabil Central Prison

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Executions
ardabil central prison, executions in iran, iran human rights

Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) – Moslem Shiri, 37, a prisoner in Ward 5 of Ardabil Central Prison, was executed on August 13th.

Shiri, originally from Meshginshahr in Ardabil province, was arrested for murder in Chabahar city in 2008.

In protest to his frequent mistreatment and torture at the hands of prison authorities, he declared a hunger strike for one week in August 2017.

According to an annual report from Amnesty International, Iran ranks first in the world for executions per capita.

An annual report published by the Center of Statistics at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) states that more than 60% of executions, called “covert executions,” are not disclosed by authorities. According to registered data from 2,945 reports by the Statistics, Publications and Achievements Division of HRAI, in the past year (from March 21, 2017, to March 18, 2018), at least 322 citizens were executed and 236 others were sentenced to death in Iran. Among these, there was the execution of four juvenile offenders and 23 public hangings.

Political Activist Nader Afshari Held Incommunicado

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Prisoners
Gohardasht, iran human rights, iran prisoners of conscience, Nader Afshari, Political Prisoners

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)- Nader Afshari, a political activist who was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents on August 1, 2018, during the most recent wave of popular protests in the city of Karaj, continues to be held incommunicado.

Maryam Sabzeparvar, Mr Afshari’s mother, confirmed the news to HRANA: “…We had no news of Nader for six days following his arrest in Karaj’s Gohardasht. We looked everywhere, from security police and Intelligence offices to the Basij paramilitary base. Finally, on August 6th, Mr Ayoub Ebrahimian who presides over Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, told me that my son had been arrested by Intelligence Ministry security forces and is held in a “safe house” in Gohardasht. He told me Nader will be held there until the end of the interrogation sessions and will be possibly charged after the interrogations are concluded.”

According to Ms Sabzeparvar, her son was arrested last February and held in Ward 209 of Tehran’s Evin Prison, a section controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, for 48 days. During this period Mr Afshari was reportedly under duress and experienced much abuse by the interrogators and prison officials. “We are very worried about the conditions he is being held right now, and we hope the events of his last arrest have not been repeated,” Ms Sabzevari said.

Nader Afshari was previously arrested on February 4, 2018, along with six other civil rights activists following the widespread protests in Iran.

According to Ms Sabzeparvar, Mr Afshari’s only contact with his family was a phone call which lasted a few seconds and during which he informed his family that he was fine.

UPDATE: Nader Afshari was released on August 14, 2018, on a 50 million Tomans (approximately $5,000 USD) bail, pending the completion of the investigations.

Video Report: Baha’i Citizen Mehrdad Heyrani Temporarily Released from Evin Prison

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities
baha'is of iran, imprisoned baha'is, iran human rights, mehrdad heyrani, persecution of baha'is, Prisoners of conscience

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – On Saturday, August 11, 2018, Baha’i citizen and Tehran native Mehrdad Heyrani, after three months of detention by Intelligence agents, was temporarily released on a bail of approximately $110,000 USD (1.2 billion rials), and awaits trial.

An informed source had previously told HRANA: “On Friday, May 11, 2018, Intelligence agents went to apprehend [Heyrani] in his home, but failed to do so since he was not there. After learning that he was at a friend’s house in Baghestan, Karaj (just west of Tehran), they travelled there, arrested him, escorted him back to his home, and transferred him to an unknown location after searching his residence and confiscating his personal belongings, such as his computer and religious books.”

Iranian Baha’i citizens are systematically deprived of religious freedoms, while according to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, everyone is entitled to freedom of religion and belief, and the right to adopt and manifest the religion of their choice, be it individually, in groups, in public, or in private.

Based on unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran. However, Iran’s Constitution only recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, and does not acknowledge the Baha’i faith as an official religion. Consequently, the rights of Baha’is are systematically violated in Iran.

Prisoner of Conscience on Hunger Strike in Urmia

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Ethnic Minorities, Prisoners
ali badrkhani, iran human rights, prisoner hunger strike iran

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – Ali Badrkhani, a prisoner of conscience detained in Urmia’s central prison (northwestern Iran), has been on hunger strike since Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Mr Badrkhani is protesting his transfer to a ward in the prison where 400 narcotics prisoners are held. Mr Badrkhani deems the transfer a violation of the principle of classification of the inmates based on the type of the offences.
A source told HRANA: “[Mr Badrkhani] launched the hunger strike right after his arrest to demand his transfer to the ward of political prisoners. Subsequently, the guards took him to the Prison Director’s office under the pretext of discussing his demands. However, once in the director’s office, he was handcuffed and forcibly transferred to the narcotics ward where he is currently held.” Consequently, Mr Badrkhani went on hunger strike again. Harassment due to the political nature of his charges by a prison official called Gharebaghi is reportedly another reason for his hunger strike.
Mr Badrkhani was previously arrested in winter 2015 and later released on bail. However, he was barred from continuing his education while in his last semester of completing his master’s program at the University of Tehran. He was sentenced to three years in prison for “Acting against national security”. Mr Badrkhani began srving his sentence in spring 2017.
Mr Badrkhani is a member of the Kurdish ethnic minority and has Irani-Iraqi citizenship. Among his publications are “Turkey, Democracy and Kurds”, ”Discussion of Idea”, ”Refugee of Love”, ”Kurdish Tales and Myths”

Baha’i Student Jailed to Serve his Sentence

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities
baha'is of iran, iran human rights, Mehran Eslami Amirabadi, persecuted baha'is, religious minorities in iran

Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA)- Mehran Eslami Amirabadi, Yazd native and member of the Baha’i religious minority, has turned himself in to serve an 18-month jail term, 12 months of which must be served in exile in Saravan (located in Sistan & Baluchestan, a southeastern province known for extreme heat, drought, and few natural resources).

A source close to Eslami confirmed the news to HRANA, adding that he decided to turn himself in upon the detainment of his co-defendant Mehran Bandi Amirabadi, who is subject to the same sentence.

Five others who were tried in the same court face a 3-year suspended prison sentence: Sorour Foroughi Mehdi Abadi, Farzad Rouhani Monshadi, Ramin Hosri Sharaf Abadi, Mohammad Ali Tadrisi, Ahmad Jafari Naimi.

Along with several other Baha’is, Eslami was tried several months ago in Branch 3 of Yazd Provincial Appeals Court on the charges of “disseminating propaganda against the regime” and “propaganda on behalf of groups or organizations acting against the regime.” All were sentenced in that trial to one year in prison, and a one-year suspended prison sentence. Given this prior sentence, Eslami will likely spend a year and a half behind bars.

Baha’i citizens of Iran are systematically deprived of religious freedoms, while according to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all people are entitled to freedom of religion, belief, and changes thereof, as well as the right to express and practice those beliefs as individuals or collectives, in public or in private.

Though unofficial sources estimate the Baha’i population of Iran at more than 300,000, Iran’s Constitution officially recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, and does not acknowledge the Baha’i faith as an official religion. As a result, the rights of Baha’is in Iran are systematically violated.