Tag: Kashan

A Report on the Latest Situation of Ali Pasban in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Ali Pasban, Isfahan, Kashan, Mashhad, Political Prisoner, Vakilabad prison, علی پاسبان

Ali Pasban, a political prisoner, is serving his seven-year sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He is being held in the same ward as prisoners convicted of violent crimes, in violation of prison regulations.

A source close to Mr. Pasban’s family told HRANA, “He is being held in the violent criminals’ ward, Salon 102, Ward 5 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, without adherence to the principle of separation of crimes. Recently, after he protested against the inappropriate behavior of a prison official, he was threatened. The guards told him they would hire individuals in that ward to harm him. He reported to his family about ongoing harassment, threats, and the danger to his life, and requested legal assistance.”

This citizen was arrested on August 26, 2021, in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in this city. In January 2022, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on charges of “membership in opposition groups intending to disrupt national security.”
Additionally, in March-April 2022, he was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
Mr. Pasban had previously been convicted and served prison sentences in Isfahan and Kashan in 2018 and 2019 on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

Journalist Ali Moslehi Receives Six Years and Two Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moslehi, Blasphemy, Kashan, Kashan prison, Saeed Gholamian

Journalist Ali Moslehi has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison through two verdicts issued by the Criminal and Revolutionary Court of Kashan, with 22 months suspended for five years.

According to Moslehi’s lawyer, Saeed Gholamian, the Kashan Revolutionary Court handed down a 15-month sentence for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and a seven-month sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” both suspended for five years. Additionally, the Criminal Court of Kashan sentenced him to three years and one month for “blasphemy” and one year and three months for “disseminating false information.”

Moslehi was arrested by security forces in Kashan on July 20, 2023. Following his arrest, he was transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility to Kashan Prison in August. He was later released on bail of one billion tomans (approximately 20,000 dollars).

Ali (Abbas-Ali) Moslehi has a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations due to his activism.

Execution of Three Inmates in Mahabad and Kashan

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Executions, News
Abbas Dadvar, Fakhredin Mangur-Nejad, Kashan, Mahabad, Salim Bagheri

In recent days, two death-row inmates in Mahabad Prison and one in Kashan Prison were executed for murder.

Kurdpa disclosed that on March 7, 2024, Fakhredin Mangur-Nejad, a resident of Oshnavieh, and Abbas Dadvar, from Mahabad, faced the death penalty for their involvement in murders dating back four years.

The Iran Human Rights Organization also reported the execution of Salim Bagheri, a 37-year-old individual in Kashan Prison on March 6. As per sources cited in the report, Bagheri was found guilty of taking someone’s life three years ago amid a financial dispute.

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 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

Moreover, in 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of  746 individuals. Out of these, 6 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 597 were male and 20 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Faces Eight-Year Prison Term

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News, Religious Minorities
Arash Moradi, Evin Prison, Gonabadi Dervish, HRANA, Kashan

Arash Moradi, a Gonabadi Dervish currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Presiding over Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Judge Ali Mazloum detailed Moradi’s sentencing as follows: two years for “disturbing public opinions,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” three years for “blasphemy,” and two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Court of Iran.” The cumulative punishment amounts to eight years of imprisonment.

Citing Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that the most severe penalty should be applied in cases involving multiple charges, Moradi is slated to serve three years in prison.

A reliable source close to Moradi’s family informed HRANA of a notable development during the legal proceedings, where the charge of “disseminating false information” was altered to “disturbing public opinions.”

Furthermore, the court had previously dismissed charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “inciting people to violence.”

Moradi was apprehended on October 17 by security forces at his workplace in Kashan and subsequently confined to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

This is not Moradi’s first encounter with the legal system, as he was previously detained during the 2018 Dervish protests, resulting in a one-year prison sentence. Following the completion of his sentence, Moradi was released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Twelve Inmates Executed Across Various Prisons

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News
Ayoub Karimi, Geda-Ali Saber Motlagh, Hamed Bakhshayesh, HRANA, Karaj, Kashan, Khorramabad Prison, Lakan prison, Mohsen Sedaghat, Qezel Hesar Prison, Rasht

In a recent escalation of capital punishment, a total of twelve inmates faced execution in different Iranian prisons. The executions took place at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Lakan Prison in Rasht, Kashan Prison, and Khorramabad Prison.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar Prison recorded the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar prison witnessed the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) and spreading corruption on earth through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On November 25, 2023, Mohsen Sedaghat, and Geda-Ali Saber Motlagh (62) were also executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Motlagh was a political prisoner in the 1980s. In 2020-2021, he was rearrested and sentenced to death. He was accused of killing a government official which he was consistently refuted. Sedaghat was convicted of murder.

Lastly, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Masoud Basak, aged 33, in Kashan Prison and Morad Biranvand, aged 40, and Morad Geravand in Khorramabad Prison.

 

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Execution of Three Inmates in Kashan and Tabriz

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Executions, News
Kashan, Khodadad Rahimi, Saber Alikhani, Tabriz

On November 8, officials at Kashan Prison carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The individuals executed have been identified as Khodadad Rahimi, 40, and Saber Alikhani, 31. Rahimi and Alikhani received their death sentences three and two years ago, respectively.

Additionally, Rokna reported the recent execution of an inmate for murder in Tabriz Prison last week. The report did not disclose the identity of the individual. In July-August 2019, he committed murder by fatally stabbing someone during a group brawl.

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.

Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Arrested in Kashan

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News, Religious Minorities
Arash Moradi, Gonabadi Dervish, great tehran penitentiary, HRANA, Kashan

On October 17, Arash Moradi, a Gonabadi Dervish, was arrested by security forces in Kashan and promptly taken to an undisclosed facility.

A source with close ties to his family has informed HRANA that Moradi’s arrest unfolded at his place of work, where the agents conducted a search and confiscated some of his personal belongings.
The motivations behind Moradi’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the specific charges brought against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Moradi was previously detained during the 2018 Dervish protests and subsequently sentenced to one year in prison. After serving his sentence, Moradi was released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary.
This development takes place against the backdrop of a broader pattern of suppression and persecution faced by the Gonabadi Dervish community in Iran, who have long struggled against government restrictions on their religious practices and their peaceful expressions of dissent.

Journalist Ali Moslehi Arrested in Kashan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moslehi, Detained journalist, Kashan

On Thursday, July 20, security forces apprehended Ali Moslehi, a Kashan resident, and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to a credible source who spoke to HRANA, this journalist was taken into custody at his residence. A few hours later, security agents contacted his relatives to notify them about the arrest.

As of now, the reasons behind Moslehi’s arrest and the location of his detention remain shrouded in uncertainty.

It is essential to note that Moslehi has a history of previous arrests and convictions, raising concerns about his well-being and right to a fair legal process.

Execution of Five Inmates in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan

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Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, Aghil Arab, Ali Mohammad Zeraat, Dastgerd Prison, Esmaiel Nasiri, Isfahan, Kashan, Rasoul Sheikh Arpanahi, Shiraz

Five Inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan Prisons.

According to Haal Vsh, on June 1, 2023, Aghil Arab, age 27, was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. On the same day, Nemat Arzani, 33, and Rasoul Sheikh Arpanahi, 27, were also executed in Kashan Prison.

Furthermore, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of two inmates in Adelabad Prison on May 24, 2023. The individuals have been identified as Ali Mohammad Zera’at, a father of a young child, and Esmaiel Nasiri.

All these executed prisoners have been convicted of drug-related crimes several years ago.

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

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.

 

 

Dozens of Businesses Closed for Breaking Islamic Rules of Dress Code and Behavior

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Labor and Guilds, News
Babolsar, Hijab, Kashan, Khorramabad, Mianeh, Shiraz

In recent days, dozens of businesses in several cities across Iran were closed for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code (Hijab) and behaviour rules.

An official from the IRGC announced the closure of at least 40 businesses in Kashan due to “female customers’ lack of Hijab.” Earlier, a hotel and a tourist complex were also shut down for this reason.

Similarly, in Khorramabad, one restaurant and one wedding hall were closed, and in Mianeh, seven businesses were shut down. In Babolsar, six businesses were closed, and several others in Shiraz were also affected due to violations of the Islamic dress code and behaviour rules.

Iran’s regime routinely violates its citizens’ privacy and right to choose their clothing. Imposing a certain lifestyle on citizens stands in blatant violation of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which entitles everyone to the right to life, liberty and security of person. Additionally, Article 12 of this declaration affirms, “One shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”