Tag: Karaj

Political Prisoner Mostafa Ramezani Initiates Hunger Strike in Solitary Confinement

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mostafa Ramezani

Mostafa Ramezani, a political prisoner, commenced a hunger strike at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on March 4, protesting his confinement in solitary quarters.

A reliable source close to Ramezani’s family disclosed this information to HRANA. According to the source, “Ramezani was transferred to solitary confinement as a punitive measure after a confrontation with prison guards on January 22, 2024. It has been more than 40 days since he has been held in solitary confinement.”

This political prisoner had been transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison on January 18, 2024.

Currently, in the third year of his sentence, Ramezani received an eight-year sentence for political charges, including “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Mehrdad Bakhtiari Faces Six-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aban protests, Karaj, Mehrdad Bakhtiari, Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari

The Revolutionary Court of Karaj has handed down a six-year prison sentence to Mehrdad Bakhtiari, along with a two-year travel ban, and two-year exile in Shahrekord. He is the paternal uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, who tragically lost his life at the hands of regime forces during the 2019 Protests, aka Aban Protests.

Bakhtiari publicly disclosed that he was given five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional one year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

This legal case unfolded in July 2022 when charges were filed against Bakhtiari and Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari’s mother. It is noteworthy that in a separate case initiated by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court, Bakhtiari was acquitted of the charges against him.

Bakhtiari’s arrest occurred on July 11, 2022, after he shared a video on social media about Shirpisheh’s arrest and posted pictures of her residence’s door, which had been broken by authorities. Following his arrest, Bakhtiari was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was released on bail on September 3, 2022, until the end of legal proceedings.
In a tragic and interconnected series of events, Bakhtiari’s son, Pouya, at the age of 27, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2019 protests, also known as the Aban Protests, in Karaj. According to his sister and mother, Pouya succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after being shot in the head during the second day of the protest’s eruption.

The sentencing and associated restrictions underscore a worrisome development, exemplifying the state of freedom of expression and political dissent in Iran.

Lawyer Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh Arrested in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Karaj, Kargar-Pisheh, Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh

Security forces apprehended Mohammad-Reza Kargarpisheh Moghadam, a practicing attorney, in Karaj on February 14, subsequently transferring him to a detention facility within the city.

According to a source close to Kargarpisheh’s family, the arrest occurred on a street in Karaj while he was en route to his office. He has been relocated to a detention facility in Karaj.

“Despite the family’s inquiries, the reason for this arrest has yet to be disclosed,” the source added.

Lawyer Taher Naghavi Arrested in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karaj, Taher Naghavi

On February 6, attorney-at-law Taher Naghavi was arrested by security forces in Karaj and subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to Naghavi’s family confirmed to HRANA that the arrest took place at one of his friends’ residences in Karaj. The reasons behind his arrest, the location of his confinement, and the charges against him are currently unknown.

Execution of Three Inmates for Drug Offenses in Karaj

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Executions, News
Central Prison of Karaj, Citizen execution, Karaj

On January 29, 2024, authorities at the Central Prison of Karaj executed three individuals convicted of drug-related crimes.

HRANA has identified two of them as Ajamian and Jafari (first names unknown). These inmates had previously received death sentences for drug offenses. HRANA had reported their relocation to solitary confinement the day before.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

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Execution of Inmate in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ahmad Asgarat, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Ghobadloo. Farhad Salimi

On January 23, 2024, Ghezel Hesar Prison officials carried out the execution of inmate Ahmad Asgarat, convicted of murder.

According to HRANA, Asgarat was implicated in the murder of a man, allegedly in collaboration with his wife, following an extramarital affair.

As of now, there have been no reports on this execution from official sources or domestic media outlets within the country.

It’s worth noting that on the same day, two other prisoners, Mohammad Ghobadloo and Farhad Salimi, were also executed.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Mohammad Ghobadloo Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Amir Raisian, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Ghobadloo, Qisas, محمد قبادلو

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has reported the execution of Mohammad Ghobadloo, a detainee connected to the 2022 nationwide protests, in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Amidst growing controversy, Amir Raisian, Ghobadloo’s lawyer, publicly disclosed yesterday that despite the Supreme Court overturning the death sentence, he was informed of the imminent execution scheduled for Tuesday, January 23.

Raisian clarified, “The death sentence (Qisas or reprisal) had been overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was transferred to another branch (Branch 5 of the Criminal Court of Tehran), awaiting the results of forensic re-examinations for the verdict. However, after several months, the case was unexpectedly reassigned to Branch 39 following a Supreme Court directive. Now, just hours before the scheduled execution, we have been notified of this sudden development.”

Raisian strongly denounced the execution, asserting, “This execution lacks any legal basis and should be considered a case of manslaughter.”

The execution of Ghobadloo has triggered widespread condemnation on Farsi-speaking social media platforms. Concurrently, Mizan released a video featuring Ghobadloo’s coerced confessions. The judiciary’s news agency has dismissed claims that Ghobadloo suffered from major mental disorders, including bipolar disorders.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, Ghobadloo faced charges such as “spreading corruption on earth through crimes against the physical integrity of people.” Additional allegations included “destruction of public property” and “acting against national security by causing unrest.”

During the court proceedings, Ghobadloo emphasized “being influenced by the psychological consequences resulting from the non-use of his medications on the night of the incident.” Simultaneously, the prison doctor of the Great Tehran Penitentiary and the prison supervisor confirmed the mentally precarious condition of the accused, a factor overlooked by forensic experts during the trial.

Siamak Nasiri Receives Six-Year Sentence and Two-Year Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asef Al-Hosseini, IRGC Intelligence, Karaj, Siamak Nasiri

The Revolutionary Court in Karaj has sentenced Siamak Nasiri to six years in prison and two years of exile on political charges. Currently held in the Central Prison of Karaj, Nasiri, aged 39, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Karaj on August 28, 2023.

Presiding over Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, Judge Musa Asef Al-Hosseini conveyed the verdict on January 17. Nasiri received five years for “inciting people to violence and waging war against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” He is also mandated to reside in Ahvaz for two years.

According to a source who spoke to HRANA, Nasiri had a previous detention in December 2022 in Karaj, where he was held in the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility. Following this, he was transferred to the Central Prison of Karaj and later granted pardon and released under a general pardon and commutation directive.

Execution of Three Inmates at Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Hamed Khodadad, Karaj, Kiomars Gholami, Mohammad-Hossein Geravand

Karaj, January 7, 2024 – The authorities at Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison recently executed three individuals on death row.

According to HRANA, the inmates subjected to capital punishment were identified as Mohammad-Hossein Geravand, Kiomars Gholami, and Hamed Khodadad. The first two were convicted of offenses related to drugs, while the third was sentenced for murder.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Sunni Prisoner Davoud Abdollahi Executed in Ghezel Hesar

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Ethnic Minorities, Executions, News
Anvar Khezri, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Ghezel Hesar, Kamran Sheikheh, Karaj, Khosro Besharat, moharebeh, داوود عبداللهی

On January 2, 2024, Davoud Abdollahi, a Sunni prisoner, was executed in Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj, marking the end of his 13-year incarceration.

A source close to his family informed HRANA that the execution occurred without prior notice to his family. Abdollahi had been transferred to solitary confinement on December 26, following a hunger strike he initiated.

In a related legal case, two other Sunni defendants, Ghasem Abasteh and Ayoub Karimi, were executed on November 5 and November 29, 2023, respectively.

The origins of the case date back to September 2008 when Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, was assassinated by unidentified individuals. In January-February 2010, Abdollahi and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection to the assassination.

While in detention, Abdollahi faced multiple charges, including enmity against God (Moharebeh), allegedly through sympathizing with Salafism—a charge he consistently refuted. After spending fourteen months in legal limbo, Abdollahi was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, where he remained until his relocation to Ghezel Hesar Prison in August of the current year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Abdollahi and six others—Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ghasem Abasteh, and Ayoub Karimi. This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for him and his co-defendants.