Tag: Isfahan

Mahmood Mehrabi Arraigned on Charge of “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Mahmood Mehrabi, spreading corruption on earth

Mahmood Mehrabi, who is presently held in detention at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been officially indicted on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” by the Mobarakeh Public and Revolutionary Courthouse.

Mehrabi faces a multitude of allegations, including “spreading corruption on earth through the dissemination of false information, propagating anti-regime content on the Internet, inciting military and police personnel to abandon their duties, and encouraging acts of aggression, as well as insulting both the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran.”

On February 1, 2023, security forces apprehended Mehrabi in Isfahan. Although he was temporarily released on bail on March 16, 2023, he was re-arrested shortly thereafter at his residence, reportedly in connection with his social media posts that voiced dissent.

It is noteworthy that Mehrabi has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

 

Mohammad-Mehdi Vossoughian Arrested in Golpayegan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golpayegan, Isfahan, Masoumeh Yavari, Mohammad-Mehdi Vossoughian, Vossoughian

On September 20, 2023, Mohammad-Mehdi Vossoughian was arrested by security forces in Golpayegan County and subsequently taken to an undisclosed detention facility.

This development comes amid ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding his mother, Masoumeh Yavari, a former political prisoner currently incarcerated in Dolatabad Prison.

According to information provided by a source close to his family to HRANA, Vossoughian, a 21-year-old student pursuing anesthesiology at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, was apprehended at his residence in Golpayegan County, Isfahan Province, by a team of 15 intelligence agents.

The motive behind Vossoughian’s arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed at this time.

Former Political Prisoner Masoumeh Yavari Detained

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golpayegan, Isfahan, Masoumeh Yavari

In Golpayegan, Isfahan province, on September 4, 2023, security forces apprehended Masoumeh Yavari, a former political prisoner, and subsequently transported her to an undisclosed location.

According to a source with close ties to her family, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Yavari at her residence. During the operation, these agents conducted a search and confiscated various items belonging to her and her family.

As of now, the reasons behind Yavari’s arrest and her current whereabouts remain unknown.

Nasrin Alizadeh Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Isfahan, Mohammad Vaziri, Nasrin Alizadeh

Nasrin Alizadeh has been arrested by security forces in Isfahan and taken to an undisclosed location, today, August 23. Her sister, Shirin Alizadeh was shot dead by regime forces in Chalus, on September 22, 2022, during the nationwide protests.

A source intimately connected to Nasrin’s family informed HRANA that her apprehension took place at her residence.
As of now, the specific grounds for her arrest, her current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against her are unknown.

Additionally, Shirin Alizadeh’s husband, Mohammad (Koroush) Vaziri, was also arrested by security forces six days prior.

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.

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.

 

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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.

 

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.