Tag: Isfahan

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.

 

Baha’i Citizen Arash Nabavi Arrested in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Arash Nabavi, Baha'i arrest, Baha'i citizen, Isfahan

Arash Nabavi, a 37-year-old Baha’i community member residing in Isfahan, was apprehended at his residence, on Monday, August 14th, by security forces.

A source connected to Nabavi’s family disclosed to HRANA that a team of five intelligence agents executed the arrest at his home on Monday. During this operation, a thorough search was conducted, leading to the confiscation of various personal items belonging to Nabavi.

Upon contacting the Ministry of Intelligence, his family received information stating that Nabavi is presently undergoing interrogation. The authorities, however, have refrained from disclosing the specific location where he is being held.

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.

 

Isfahan Resident Pouya Dana Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Isfahan, Pouya Dana, Roozbeh Dana

On August 2, 2023, security forces arrested Pouya Dana, aged about 31, at his father’s residence in Isfahan and took him to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source, who spoke to HRANA, disclosed that during the arrest, the security forces seized Pouya Dana’s cell phone and that of his father.

The exact reasons behind Pouya Dana’s arrest, his current location, and the charges filed against him remain shrouded in uncertainty. His brother, Roozbeh Dana, is also among the twelve Isfahan residents who were arrested on July 11, 2023.

 

Nine Individuals Arrested by Security Forces in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hoda Sadeghi, Isfahan, Marjan Beshtam, Mashhad Kashani, Mina Nedaie, Mohammadreza Ghotbizadeh, Roozbeh Dana, Sama Amooshahi

Nine individuals were recently apprehended by security forces in Isfahan.

The HRANA has identified them as Mina Nedaie (35), Roozbeh Dana (37), Marjan Beshtam (42), Hoda Sadeghi, Sama Amooshahi, Mashhad Kashani, and Mohammadreza Ghotbizadeh. Two others, Erfan and Amir, remain unnamed.

Reports suggest that some of the detainees are being held at Dastgerd Prison, while others are in a Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Isfahan.
The specific charges against them have yet to be disclosed.

Public Execution of Two Inmates in Fuladshahr for Police Officer’s Murder

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Executions, News
Fuladshahr, Isfahan, Mohammad Ghaedi, Morteza Barati, Sadegh Mahmoodi Baram

On July 13, 2023, two inmates were executed publicly for killing a police officer in Fuladshahr, located in the Isfahan province, as reported by Fars News Agency.

The condemned individuals, identified as Mohammad Ghaedi, aged 38, and Sadegh Mahmoodi Baram, aged 25, were found guilty of fatally shooting Police Officer Ehsan Nasiri during a group altercation that occurred between October and November 2021.

The death sentences were initially handed down by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court and Criminal Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Morteza Barati. Subsequently, the Supreme Court confirmed the verdict, leading to the implementation of the public execution.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

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Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Sentenced to Six Years and Three Months, Faces Harsh Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Morteza Barati, Roza Etemad Ansari, Shargh Newspaper, Toomaj Salehi

Toomaj Salehi, a prominent protest singer, has been handed a sentence of six years and three months by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to a ban on leaving the country, producing music, and singing for a period of two years. Furthermore, he has been mandated to attend orientation classes as part of his sentencing.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Shargh Newspaper, rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

Today, July 10, Salehi was relocated from solitary confinement to the public ward in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

Salehi’s lawyer, Roza Etemad Ansari, confirmed the verdict issued by Judge Morteza Barati, who presided over the case. Etemadi clarified that Salehi was found guilty of “spreading corruption on earth,” while being acquitted of the charges of “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran” and “association with adversary countries.”

A reliable source earlier revealed that Salehi sustained injuries to his right foot and eye as a result of beatings during the interrogation. He continues to suffer from these injuries.

In late October 2022, Salehi was arrested by security forces. Official media claimed that he was apprehended while attempting to leave the country illegally, a claim refuted by individuals close to Salehi.

The protest singer has a previous conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined. The imprisonment was suspended for one year.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.

 

 

Akbar Danesh Sararudi Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Danesh Sararudi, irgc, IRGC Intelligence unit, Isfahan

On July 3, 2023, political activist Akbar Danesh Sararudi was arrested in Isfahan by security forces. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of Sararudi is believed to have been carried out by the IRGC Intelligence unit, according to a reliable source close to his family. However, the specific reasons behind his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Sararudi, a resident of Isfahan, has been involved in political activism.

Trial Begins for Hip-Hop Singer Toomaj Salehi at Isfahan Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Isfahan, Morteza Barati, Toomaj Salehi

The Isfahan Revolutionary Court’s Branch 1 commenced the court session for the charges against Toomaj Salehi on July 2, 2023.

Presided over by Judge Morteza Barati, the court proceedings included the presence of Salehi’s attorney, Amir Raisian, who represented his client.

According to Raisian, who spoke to Shargh Newspaper, Salehi has been charged with “spreading corruption on earth,” “propaganda against the regime,” “inciting people to wage war,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

A reliable source earlier revealed that Salehi sustained injuries to his right foot and eye as a result of beatings during the interrogation. He continues to suffer from these injuries.

In late October 2022, Salehi was arrested by security forces. Official media claimed that he was apprehended while attempting to leave the country illegally, a claim refuted by individuals close to Salehi.

The protest singer has a previous conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined. The imprisonment was suspended for one year.

Maryam Abbasi Nikoo Arrested in Shahi Shahr: Family Subjected to Violence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bita Shafiee, HRANA, Isfahan, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, Shahi Shahr

On June 26, 2023, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo was forcefully apprehended by IRGC Intelligence agents at her residence in Shahi Shahr, Isfahan Province. She was subsequently taken to a detention facility, following a violent arrest that involved the search of her home and physical assault on her husband.

According to a reliable source close to her family, who spoke to HRANA, Abbasi Nikoo was arrested at her home on Monday evening. During the arrest, IRGC Intelligence agents conducted a search, resulting in damage to their belongings and physical harm inflicted upon her husband.

It is worth noting that Abbasi Nikoo’s 17-year-old daughter, Bita Shafiee, had previously been detained by security forces for her involvement in protests against serial poison attacks on schools. Shafiee was later released.

Despite these developments, the specific reasons behind Abbasi Nikoo’s arrest and the charges against her remain undisclosed.

Baha’i Citizen Sara Sabet Rasekh Receives Eight-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Bahais, Blasphemy, Isfahan, Sara Sabet Rasekh

The Court of Appeals in Isfahan Province has handed down a verdict, sentencing Baha’i citizen Sara Sabet Rasekh to eight years in prison. Since February 7, 2023, Sabet has been serving her previous one-year sentence outside of prison with curfew tags.

The recent ruling states that Sabet will serve five years for charges of “blasphemy,” two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years in prison for the first charge.
Sabet was arrested in November-December 2021 by security forces at his residence and released on bail after about one month.

Sabet was originally arrested in November-December 2021 at her residence by security forces. She was later released on bail after approximately one month.

In March-April 2022, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court initially sentenced Sabet to two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran” and one year for “propaganda against the regime on the internet.” Subsequently, she received an additional one-year sentence for “insulting regime authorities and officials.” Currently, she is serving the latter sentence outside of prison under curfew, monitored by an electronic tag.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach 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.