Tag: Karam Mardaneh

Following Sentence Consolidation, Vadood Asadi Sentenced to Eight Years and One Month in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ayaz Seifkhah, Azerbaijani Turk activist, HRANA, Karam Mardaneh, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi, Vadood Asadi

HRANA – Following the acceptance of a request to consolidate sentences, the Gilan Province Court of Appeals revoked the previous convictions of Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, and sentenced him in a new ruling to eight years and one month in prison. He had previously been sentenced to a total of six years and three months of imprisonment in two separate cases.

According to HRANA, after accepting the request for sentence consolidation, Branch 11 of the Gilan Province Court of Appeals, presided over by Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh and Esmaeil Rostami Taromsari, annulled Mr. Asadi’s previous sentences and issued a new verdict.

Under this ruling, Mr. Asadi was sentenced to:

• Six years and one month in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security”;
• Eight months in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime and opposition groups”;
• Sixteen months in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader”.

Additionally, a hearing concerning charges brought against Mr. Asadi in a case opened against him during his imprisonment was held on April 25, 2026. Mr. Asadi, along with Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, and three other defendants in the case, refused to attend the court session.

In March 2026, an interrogation session for Taher Naghavi, a lawyer, and imprisoned Azerbaijani-Turk activists Morteza Parvin-Joda, Vadood Asadi, Ayaz Seifkhah, Karam Mardaneh, and Araz Aman was held via videoconference. During the session, investigator Nasser Jalayi formally charged the prisoners with propaganda against the regime. Their hunger strike, publication of protest statements, and support for the nationwide protests of December 2025 were cited as the reasons for opening the case.

In May 2025, Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was sentenced by Branch 11 of the Gilan Province Court of Appeals to a total of five years and six months in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime, membership in anti-regime groups, and insulting the Supreme Leader.

Earlier, in late October 2024, in a separate case, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, sentenced Mr. Asadi to four years of discretionary imprisonment on charges of assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security. This prison sentence was later covered by an amnesty and reduced to one year of imprisonment. After he accepted the verdict, one-fourth of his remaining sentence was further reduced, and he was ultimately sentenced to nine months in prison.

Court of Appeals: 10 Political Defendants Sentenced to a Total of 81 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Araz Aman Zeynabad, Ayaz Seyfkhah, Baqer Haji Zadeh, Fatemeh Atash, Hassan Ebrahimi, Karam Mardaneh, Morteza Parvin, Saeed Minaei Gheshlagh, Salar Taher Afshar, Taher Naghavi

HRANA News Agency – Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld the sentences against nine Azerbaijani-Turk activists and attorney Taher Naghavi. Judge Abolghasem Salavati had originally sentenced these individuals in the preliminary trial to a total of 81 years in prison and additional penalties.

Summary of the Sentences:

According to the ruling, issued by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals on January 15, 2025, and recently communicated to the defendants:

  • Ayaz Seyfkhah: 14 years in prison (9 years for espionage and 5 years for conspiracy, with the 9-year sentence enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code).
  • Araz Aman Zeynabad and Baqer Haji Zadeh Mazraeh: Each sentenced to 13 years (8 years for espionage and 5 years for assembly and collusion against national security, with the 8-year sentence enforceable).
  • Karam Mardaneh Mostamali Beiglou: 11 years (6 years for espionage and 5 years for assembly and collusion against national security, with the 6-year sentence enforceable).
  • Taher Naghavi and Morteza Parvin Joda: Each sentenced to 6 years (5 years for assembly and collusion against national security and 1 year for propaganda against the regime, with the 5-year sentence enforceable). Additional penalties for Naghavi include a two-year travel ban and deprivation of social and political rights.
  • Salar Taher Afshar, Saeed Minaei Gheshlagh, and Fatemeh Atash Khiavi: Each sentenced to 5 years for “assembly and collusion against national security”. (Atash Khiavi’s and Minaei Gheshlagh’s sentences include partial suspensions).
  • Hassan Ebrahimi: 3 years for conspiracy, with a two-year suspension for part of the term.

Arrest and Detention Background:

These individuals were arrested on February 6-7, 2024, in various cities, including Tabriz, Karaj, Ardabil, and Urmia, by security forces.

  • Taher Naghavi was detained in Karaj on February 6, 2024.
  • Activists Araz Aman, Baqer Haji Zadeh, and Ayaz Seyfkhah were arrested in Tabriz and later transferred to Evin Prison.
  • Karam Mardaneh was detained in Ardabil on February 6, 2024.
  • Salar Taher Afshar was arrested in Urmia and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was released on bail on February 28, 2024.
  • Saeed Minaei was detained after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Bonab and later released on bail on March 13, 2024.

Legal Process:

The initial verdicts were issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, known for his harsh rulings against political and civil rights activists.

This case highlights ongoing pressures on political activists and their legal representatives in Iran.