Tag: Karaj

Four Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Karaj

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News, Religious Minorities
Babak Zeynali, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Karaj, Nika Esmaeil Pour, Sahba Taef, Shervin Shabrokh

On November 7, Baha’i citizens Sahba Taef, Shervin Shabrokh, Nika Esmaeil Pour, and Babak Zeynali were apprehended by security forces in Karaj and subsequently taken to an undisclosed facility.

The arrests were brought to the attention of HRANA by a concerned Baha’i citizen. According to this source, security agents conducted a search of their residence during the operation. As of now, the reasons for their arrests and their current whereabouts remain unknown, raising significant concerns about their well-being and the circumstances surrounding their detention.

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.

 

Execution of Nine Inmates in Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Bahman Fathollah Zadeh, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, moharebeh, Qezel Hesar Prison, Rasoul Teymouri

On November 8, 2023, Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison officials carried out the execution of nine inmates.

Among these inmates, three were convicted of drug offenses, with two of them identified as Bahman Fathollah Zadeh and Rasoul Teymouri by HRANA.
Five individuals were convicted of murder and one was convicted of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) via armed robbery.” HRANA is actively working on identifying these individuals to shed light on their cases.

Just a day earlier, HRANA reported that ten inmates had been relocated to solitary confinement, a move that signaled their imminent execution.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Tragic Execution of Ten Inmates at Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Behzadi, Qezel Hesar Prison, Shahab Shahbazi

In a somber development on October 18, 2023, Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison bore witness to the execution of ten inmates who had been convicted of drug-related offenses and murder.

HRANA has identified two of these individuals as Shahab Shahbazi and Mohammad Behzadi, both convicted of drug-related crimes. The organization is actively working to confirm the identities of the remaining inmates who met a similar fate.

It’s worth noting that HRANA had previously reported on the relocation of two inmates to solitary confinement within this prison, signaling the imminent implementation of the death penalty.

At the time of composing this report, official sources and domestic media outlets within the country have not yet provided any information regarding these executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Civil Rights Advocate Arsham Rezaie Arrested in Karaj

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News
Arsham Rezaie, irgc, Karaj, Mahmood Rezaie

On October 17, civil rights activist Arsham (Mahmood) Rezaie was arrested by security forces in Karaj and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to his family, the IRGC intelligence conducted the apprehension at Rezaie’s residence in Karaj. As of now, the specific reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Rezaie has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his involvement in civil rights activities.

Four Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar, Karaj, Nazir-Mohamad Tajik, Nour-Mohammad Barbari, Qezel Hesar

On October 11, Qezel Hesar (Ghezel Hesar) Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of four inmates who had been convicted of murder. HRANA, citing Etemad News, had previously reported the execution of another inmate at the same facility.

Three of the executed individuals have been identified by HRANA as Nazir-Mohamad Tajik, Nour-Mohammad Barbari, both Afghan nationals, and Shahab Elhami.

Just yesterday, HRANA disclosed the transfer of six death-row inmates to solitary confinement in Qezel Hesar, hinting at the impending executions.

HRANA is actively pursuing further information regarding these recent executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

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Execution of Inmate in Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

On October 11, 2023, an inmate who had been convicted of murder faced execution at Qezel Hesar (Ghezel Hesar) Prison in Karaj, as revealed by Etemad News.

The prisoner who met his fate through hanging was found guilty of the murder of a friend in a coffee house seven years ago. Following the crime, he fled to Turkey, where Turkish authorities apprehended him. He was subsequently transferred to Interpol and later into the custody of Iranian authorities.

HRANA had reported just yesterday about the transfer of six death-row inmates to solitary confinement in Qezel Hesar, indicating their impending executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Student Arzhang Mortazavi Arrested Once Again in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arzhang Mortazavi, HRANA, Karaj, Kharazmi University

Arzhang Mortazavi, a student at Kharazmi University, found himself in the custody of security forces in Karaj on October 7th, where he was subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This marks his second arrest, following his previous detention during the 2022 nationwide protests.

A reliable source with close ties to Mortazavi’s family provided HRANA with information regarding his arrest at his residence. It has been reported that the agents conducted a search of his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Mortazavi had previously informed on social media about his summons to appear before the Public Security Police.

His initial arrest took place on December 17, 2022, in front of the university entrance. However, on February 21, 2023, he was released from the Central Prison of Karaj under the provisions of a general “pardon and commutation” directive.

In a separate development, late last month, Mortazavi received a suspension from the university for four semesters and was compelled to transfer to Damghan University.

Fariba Asadi Detained in Kachooie Prison for Over 20 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Asadi, Kachooie Prison, Karaj, Masoud Vazifeh, Mehran Delfan-Azari, Meysam Gholami

Fariba Asadi, a former political prisoner, remains in custody, enduring over 20 days of legal uncertainty within the confines of Kachooie Prison, Karaj.

A reliable source close to her family has conveyed to HRANA that Asadi faces charges related to violating hijab rules and spreading propaganda against the regime.

Notably, Asadi had previously been arrested by security forces in February 2021, alongside Mehran Delfan Azari, Meysam Gholami, and Masoud Vazifeh. They were detained on allegations of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in an anti-regime group.”

On October 2, 2021, Branch 2 of Shiraz’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Asadi to a one-year term for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Subsequently, she was taken into custody at her residence in Tehran in January 2022, in order to commence her sentence at Qarchak Prison in Varamin. However, she was ultimately released following a pardon under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

Tragic Suicide Claims Inmate’s Life at Qezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Hamed Mohammadi, HRANA, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

On Wednesday, August 30th, a tragic incident unfolded at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj as an inmate ended his life through a drug overdose.

HRANA has identified him as Hamed Mohammadi who was imprisoned for drug offenses for three years.

According to a source close to Mohammadi’s family, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Mohammadi ingested methamphetamine, ultimately leading to his demise in the prison’s infirmary the following Wednesday morning.

The Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran reported a grim tally of violations against prisoners’ rights in 2022. These violations included 133 instances of physical assaults on inmates, 432 cases of denial of medical care, 204 incidents of unlawful transfer to solitary confinement, 102 attempted hunger strikes, 166 cases of coerced transportation or exile, 4,983 threats against prisoners, 46 instances of prisoners being denied visitors, 652 occurrences of psychological and physical torture, 20 prisoner deaths due to illness, two arrestees losing their lives at the hands of prison authorities, and 14 tragic cases of prisoners taking their own lives.

The disturbing statistics reveal a pressing need for reforms and increased scrutiny within the Iranian prison system to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates.

Three Inmates Convicted of Drug Crimes Executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Behrooz Rahmani, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Kiumars Rezaie, Rahman Ebrahimi

Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the execution of three inmates on August 23. The individuals had been sentenced for drug-related offenses.

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has identified the inmates as Rahman Ebrahimi, Kiumars Rezaie, and Behrooz Rahmani. Ebrahimi and Rezaie had been serving ten-year sentences, while Rahmani had been imprisoned for three years.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

These executions bring renewed attention to the ongoing discussions surrounding the criminal justice system’s approach to drug-related crimes. In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded 457 reports concerning the death penalty. Approximately 43% of these executions were linked to drug-related charges.