Dual Execution in Hamedan Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

On January 21, 2024, Hamedan Prison officials carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related offenses.

HRANA has identified the individuals as Salman Salimi from Kermanshah and Ahmad Haeri.

As of the current writing, there have been no reports on these executions from official sources or domestic media outlets within the country.

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.

 

Four Yarsan Followers Detained in Kermanshah Province

Today, on November 10, security forces arrested four followers of Yarsanism—Seyed-Amin Abbasi, Kheirollah Haghjooyan, Pakzad Taheri, and Noshad Taheri. The location of their detention remains undisclosed.

Sources indicate that these individuals were apprehended at a police checkpoint on the road connecting Sarpol-e Zahab to Kermanshah. The reasons behind their arrests, their current whereabouts, and the allegations against them remain unknown.

It’s worth noting that Abbasi, Noshad Taheri, and Haghjooyan have a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and prosecution by the regime’s security and judicial systems. The community’s rights and freedoms have been a subject of concern, reflecting broader challenges faced by religious minorities in the region.

Reza Rasaei Receives Death Sentence Amidst Controversial Charges

Reza Rasaei, one of the participants in the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in connection with a legal case related to the “killing of the head of the IRGC’s intelligence of Sahneh County.”

According to Kurdpa, Rasaei has been found guilty of involvement in the death of Nader Beirami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County. Additional charges against Rasaei include causing non-lethal injuries, using a knife, and disrupting public order.

Critically, the court’s decision appears to have relied on a confession extracted under duress during Rasaei’s detention.

Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. After completing the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.

Several other protesters involved in a demonstration on November 18, 2022, are also facing charges related to their alleged role in the death of the IRGC’s intelligence officer. During this protest, several protestors were also killed by police and security forces.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, aged 34, is known as a Yarsan follower and a resident of Sahneh County.

Report on the Anniversary of Death of Mahsa Amini

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the nation observed the anniversary of the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, marked by scattered protest gatherings amidst an environment of heightened security, leading to the detention of several individuals across various cities in the country.

Reports obtained by HRANA reveal an extensive police presence and increased security measures in multiple urban centers, including Saqqez, Sanandaj, Tehran, Ardabil, Rasht, Arak, and Lahijan.

Despite these security measures, sporadic gatherings took place in cities such as Karaj and Kermanshah. In Tehran, attempts by some citizens to organize protest gatherings were met with intervention by security and military forces.

Local sources have reported that traders and shopkeepers in several Kurdish cities, including Sanandaj, Saqqez, Divandareh, Dehgolan, and Baneh, staged strikes by refraining from their daily activities. Additionally, residents of Saqqez received threatening text messages from the Ministry of Intelligence, warning of potential legal consequences if they participated in gatherings or rallies.

Several news outlets, including Dideban, have reported instances of gunfire being heard during the Kermanshah protest.

Furthermore, local human rights sources in the Kurdish region have documented an incident involving an individual named Fardin Jafari, who sustained injuries after entering a restricted area and subsequently being struck by gunfire from security forces. Shortly after this incident, Mehdi Ramezani, Deputy Governor of Kurdistan, confirmed the shooting but refuted reports of a fatality. He asserted that Saqqez remained entirely calm, with no gatherings or protests transpiring. Ramezani attributed the shooting of Fardin Jafari to his “entry into a restricted military area and disregard for warnings.” Jafari has since been hospitalized and underwent surgery due to the severity of his injuries.

Security forces also briefly detained and then released Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini’s father after he left his home today.

Ramezani justified the brief detention of Amjad Amini by alleging that “several members of a ‘terrorist group’ had planned to ‘assassinate’ Amjad Amini on his way to visit his daughter’s burial site. Security forces intervened and apprehended them, foiling their sinister plot.” However, IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, contradicted the Deputy Governor of Kurdistan by denying any short-term detention of Amjad Amini.

Ramezani also reported the detention of several individuals in various cities of Kurdistan Province on charges related to their alleged membership in anti-regime groups. He explained, “These individuals were detained early on Saturday as they filmed and photographed businesses and industrial facilities. Security forces identified and subsequently detained them.”

The Public Prosecutor of Ardabil also informed the media of the detention of two individuals in the city on charges of “actions against national security.”

Furthermore, an intelligence official affiliated with the IRGC issued a statement announcing the detention of several individuals in Marvdasht county. These individuals were apprehended for what the statement described as “widespread propaganda and inscribing protest slogans on city walls aimed at disturbing public opinion.”

The Public Prosecutor and Revolution Prosecutor of Qarchak county also reported the detention of one individual on the charge of “membership in anti-regime groups” in their jurisdiction, along with several other detentions across various counties in Tehran Province.

Meanwhile, the IRGC’s intelligence unit in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province reported the detention of fifteen individuals in this region, citing their alleged intention to incite insecurity.

HRANA has received reports indicating that, in commemoration of the anniversary of the protests, thirteen inmates in Qezal Hesar Prison in Karaj have embarked on a hunger strike.

Prior to this, Amir Hossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, incarcerated students, had publicly announced their intention to undertake a three-day hunger strike in solidarity with nationwide protests.

Additionally, on Saturday, some female inmates at Evin Women’s Ward ignited their scarves within the prison compound as a symbolic protest act.

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.

 

Parsa Ghobadi Arrested in Kermanshah

Parsa Ghobadi, a resident of Kermanshah, has been apprehended by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location, as reported by Kurdpa. Ghobadi had previously been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadi reportedly was arrested last Monday, September 4, at his father’s workplace in Kermanshah.

Sources indicate that Ghobadi is in need of medical attention and has been denied access to his prescribed medication since his arrest. Despite his family’s inquiries, there has been no response from judicial and security authorities. As of now, the reasons behind his arrest and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.

During the nationwide protests in 2022, Ghobadi, who is about 19 years old, suffered a gunshot wound to his eye inflicted by regime forces.

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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Kermanshah Resident Vahid Sorkh Gol Apprehended

On August 9, 2023, Vahid Sorkh Gol was apprehended in Kermanshah and transferred to an undisclosed location after his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Court.

According to a source with close ties to his family, the exact location where he is being held remains undisclosed.

Some time ago, Sorkh Gol received a summons to appear at the Kermanshah courthouse, for facing the charges of “spreading anti-regime propaganda” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Fatal Shooting of Citizen by Police in Kermanshah

On July 26, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Kermanshah as a citizen, identified as Ali Nazari, was shot dead by police, as reported by Kurdpa.

According to an informed source, Nazari was pursued by the police in a district in Kermanshah, where he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest, ultimately resulting in his death.

As of now, Nazari’s body has not been returned to his family, adding to the distress and uncertainty surrounding the case.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 845 people were shot by military forces. At least 571 of the victims lost their life. This includes 22 kolbars, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. 274 people were injured by military forces open fire, including 134 kolbars, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers.

 

Two Inmates Executed for Drug-Related Crimes in Urmia Prison

Urmia Prison witnessed the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related offences on June 9, 2023, as confirmed by HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency).

The individuals identified as Ghobad Farhadpour from Kermanshah and Jafar Mohammadpour, a resident of Sardasht, were subjected to the death penalty following their transfer to solitary confinement.

No official sources or domestic media outlets in the country have reported on these executions at the time of writing.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, a total of 457 reports related to the death penalty were registered in 2022. This included 92 death sentences, including six individuals sentenced to public execution. Furthermore, 565 execution sentences were carried out, two of which were carried out publicly. Among the executed individuals, 501 were male, 11 were female, and five were juvenile offenders who were executed despite being under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.

Inmate Executed in Kermanshah

On May 10, 2023, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Dizelabad prison, Kermanshah.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on May 10, 2023, an inmate identified as Saber Payamian, age 34, was executed in Kermanshah.

He was reportedly sentenced to death for committing murder.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country have reported this execution at the time of writing.

In recent weeks, the number of execution has been alarmingly raised. At least 66 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons over the past thirteen days.

 

Iran Protests: Citizens Arrested in Kermanshah

Security forces arrested an individual in Kermanshah for “association with anti-regime satellite television channels and leading the protests.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Fars News Agency, an individual was arrested by IRGC forces in Kermanshah.

This report claims that this individual “met anti-regime groups in Kurdish regions of Iran one month before the beginning of [nationwide] protests. He also sent pictures of protests and strikes to anti-regime satellite television channels.”

He was also accused of leading the protests. This report did not disclose his identity and his detained location.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.