Tag: irgc

Atena Daemi on a Hunger Strike in Lakan Prison in Rasht in Gilan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Atena Daemi, Evin, Evin Prison, Gilan province, Hunger Strike, hunger strikes, irgc, Lakan, Lakan prison, Rasht, Supreme Court, Tehran

On August 12, civil activist Atena Daemi went on a hunger strike in Lakan prison in Rasht in protest of repeated telephone cuts and prison mismanagement.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, it is said that the head of the prison has not been seen in the prison for about 4 weeks, and his absence has slowed down the release process of many prisoners.

According to an informed source, the frequent interruption of the prison phone raised concerns among Atena’s family members, and her parents had to travel to the Lakan Prison to visit Atena while they were infected with the coronavirus to confirm her well being.

Atena (Fatemeh) Daemi was sentenced to 14 years in prison on May 15, 2015, by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, on charges of conspiracy against national security, propaganda against the regime, and insulting the leadership. After the appeal and application of Article 134, 5 years of prison were enforceable to her.

In 2018, while enduring her sentence in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, she and Golrokh Ebrahimi faced a new case, they were sentenced by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to an additional 2 years and 1 month in prison after applying Article 134.

In July 2020, Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Mohammad Reza Amouzad, sentenced Ms. Daemi to two years in prison and 74 lashes for a new lawsuit filed against her while imprisoned. The case was opened by the complaint of the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC against Ms. Daemi.

In March 2021, the Supreme Court overturned a request for a retrial of Atena’s lawyers. Atena Daemi and her family members have also faced numerous other security and judicial cases and pressures. In March 2021, Atena was transferred in handcuffs and shackles from Evin Prison to Lakan Prison in Rasht in Gilan Province.

This is not the young activist’s first hunger strike. Atena Daemi once went on a hunger strike in 2015, which led to health problems and removal of her gallbladder. Her previous hunger strike experience has increased her family’s concern.

Widespread Protests Continue in Iran, Rallies Held in Tehran and Karaj

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Albors, Alborz province, Anoushirvan Mohseni Band-Pey, Hamidreza Goodarzi, irgc, Karaj, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Tehran

On Monday, July 26, citizens in Tehran and Karaj held protest rallies in which protesters chanted slogans against the current situation in the country. According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, today’s protests fall on the first day after a week-long holiday in Tehran,  Iran’s capital, and Alborz Province.

Hamidreza Goodarzi, the deputy security director of Tehran Province, said that the situation has returned to normal and attributed the protests only to the power outage in a cellphone market center in Tehran. Tehran Governor Anoushirvan Mohseni Band-Pey has threatened to identify the protests’ organizers.

During these rallies, protesters chanted slogans such as “From Karaj to Khuzestan, unity, unity”, “Death to the dictator”, “Shame on Khamenei, leave the power”, “Iranians will die but won’t accept humiliation”, “The mullah must go away”, “Do not be afraid, do not be afraid, we are all together,” “Zealous Iranians, support, support” and “Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, I give my life for Iran.”

The gathering of Tehran citizens faced a large presence of police forces and efforts to disperse the people.

A source familiar with the Tehran protest rally told HRANA, “First, a rally started in the streets in Tehran with anti-government slogans; then, shop holders in the cell phone market chanted against the government after the power outage.”

Despite the release of videos of marches and protests by hundreds of Tehranians, Fars News Agency, the media close to the IRGC, released a short video of these rallies and said the number of attendees is only about 50 shop holders and the reason for the protest is only the two hours power outage.

From the night of Thursday, July 15th, public rallies in protest of water shortage and mismanagement of officials began in Khuzestan province and spread to more than 30 cities. On Saturday, July 24, citizens of Tabriz showed their support for the protests in Khuzestan by holding street protests and marches. Many were arrested during the protests in Tabriz.

Three Political Prisoners Facing New Charges of Questionable Legitimacy After Protesting the Beating of Nayeb Hajizadeh Yangjeh

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Hajizadeh Yangjeh, irgc, Kayhan Mokaram Al-Nabi, Nayeb Askari, Nayeb Hajizadeh, Nayeb Hajizadeh Yangjeh, Political Prisoners, Urmia, Urmia prison

On Monday, July 12, political prisoners Nayeb Hajizadeh Yangjeh, Kayhan Mokaram Al-Nabi, and Nayeb Askari were faced with new charges after protesting the beating of Hajizadeh Yangjeh.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, per an informed source, the lawsuit was filed at the request of Urmia Prison director Amir Sohrabi after several political prisoners protested the beating of Nayeb Hajizadeh by two prisoners accused of violent crimes.

It is said that one of the assailants was also summoned to the court as a witness in the case.

During the briefing session, the three accused were briefed on the alleged charges of “disturbing the order of the prison” and “blasphemy”.

Nayeb Hajizadeh was arrested by security forces in August 2019 and sentenced to 7 years and six months in prison shortly after being charged for membership in an opposition group. Kayhan Mokarram Al-Nabi was arrested by security forces in January 2020 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of membership in an opposition group.

Nayeb Askari was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Urmia in April this year and was transferred to prison in June. Mr. Askari has been charged with collaborating with an opposition party.

Baha’i Citizen Sina Kamali Sarvestani Released from Adelabad Prison on Bail

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Arrest without warrant, Citizen arrested, Citizen detained, irgc, IRGC detention center, Kamali Sarvestani, medical neglect, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

On Sunday, July 11, Sina Kamali Sarvestani, a Baha’i citizen, was released on bail from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, still no information is available on the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him as of this writing.

Kamali Sarvestani was arrested by security forces on June 14 and was first transferred to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center and later to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, where he was held for nearly a month. He has been released on bail temporarily until the end of his trial.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

Dorsa Dehghani Released on Bail; Sina Kamali Sarvestani Still in Detention

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, baha'i citizens arrested, Baha'i citizens detained, Baha'i citizens in Iran, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

Baha’i citizen Dorsa Dehghani was released on bail on Thursday, July 1st, while  Sina Kamali Sarvestani, another Baha’i resident of Shiraz, is still being held in an undisclosed location after 17 days of detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, these citizens were arrested separately on June 14 by IRGC intelligence agents.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.

Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

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Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali and Dorsa Dehghani Still in Detention in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

After 14 days, Baha’i citizens Dorsa Dehghani and Sina Kamali Sarvestani are still in detention in an unknown location in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the citizens were arrested separately on June 15 by IRGC intelligence agents.

A source close to their families said that Dehghani and Sarvestani have made a brief calls and spoken with their families but are being interrogated under psychological and physical pressure. The lack of accountability of the security agencies about their condition and whereabouts has caused increasing concern from their families.

Darsa Dehghani was treated for a medical problem before his detention, but he has not had access to his medications since being arrested.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation 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.

 

Teacher Union Activist Arrested in Connection with Online Activity Regarding Presidential Election

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Hamidnia, irgc, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Massoud Hamidnia, rheumatoid arthritis, Shush city, Teacher arrested, teacher union, Teacher union activist

On June 19, teacher union activist Massoud Hamidnia was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents at his home in the city of Shush in Khuzestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security forces raided his home without a warrant and confiscated several of his personal belongings including his laptop and mobile phone.

The detained activist is suffering from medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, and he has been denied access to his medications since the arrest, raising concern among his family.

Hamidnia’s family was told that he had been arrested in connection with his activities on social media and cyberspace regarding the recent presidential election.

As of this writing, no information is available on his whereabouts or the charges against him. Hamidnia has thus far only been allowed to make one short phone call to his family.

 

 

Medical Staff Member Arrested For Protesting in Shiraz

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Citizen arrested, Citizen arrests in Iran, Citizen detained, Citizens detained, irgc, Namazee, Namazee Hospital, Namazee Hospital Shiraz, Security forces, Shiraz

On June 17, a member of the medical staff of Namazee Hospital in Shiraz was arrested by security forces after speaking out against the Islamic Republic.

Based on a video posted on social media, the citizen was forcefully arrested by security forces.

As of this writing, no information is available on his whereabouts.

Citizen Detained by IRGC Intelligence Agents in Mazandaran

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
election, Iran elections, Iran presidential election, irgc, Mazandaran, Mazandaran province, Ministry of Intelligence, Politics

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mehr News Agency, a citizen was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Mazandaran province for what they described as “links to a monarchist group based abroad”.

The report says: “This operation revealed that this trained person and his associates were trying to recruit members in cyberspace and real-world to increase people’s dissatisfaction and to reduce the maximum turnout in the presidential election, and, like in 2009, inflame the political atmosphere.”

The report does not mention the identity of the detained citizen.

Parliament Approves General Plan to Reward Individuals Sanctioned by “Hostile” Countries and Increase Punishment for Espionage

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, Other
ICANA, irgc, Ministry of Intelligence, NAJA Intelligence Operation, Parliament, Parliamentary Judiciary Commision, Sanctions, Self sacrificers, Veteran status

The general plan to increase the punishment of espionage was approved by Parliament. The plan will also extend  benefits to individuals sanctioned by countries deemed “hostile” by a designated committee.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency (ICANA), under the proposed plan, those who spy for “hostile” countries will be considered “corruptors on earth” and sentenced to execution.

The determination of whether the spying country is hostile or not will fall under the responsibility of a committee consisting of representatives of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, the NAJA Intelligence Organization, and the Ministry of Intelligence, headed by the representative of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

A member of the Parliamentary Judiciary Commission has stated that those who are on the list of sanctions of countries deemed hostile will be considered “self sacrificers” (a citizen classification most commonly reserved for veterans) and enjoy the attached rights and privileges.