Tag: Kermanshah

Amir Hossein Haghjooyan Arrested by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Amir Hossein Haghjooyan, Dizelabad Prison, HRANA, Kermanshah, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh

On September 23, 2024, Amir Hossein Haghjooyan, a relative of Reza Rasaei, an executed protester, was arrested by security forces in Sahneh County, Kermanshah province, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Haghjooyan was detained by several members of IRGC Intelligence in Sahneh and moved to an unknown location.”

As of now, no details have emerged regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges he may face.

Haghjooyan is the son of Kheirallah Haghjooyan, a member of the Yarsan Civil Activists Consultative Assembly, and a cousin and close companion of Reza Rasaei, who was executed in August 2023.

It’s important to note that Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, was secretly executed at dawn on August 6, 2023, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without prior notice to his family or a final meeting with them.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic faith founded in western Iran during the 14th century by Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, followers of Yarsan often face systemic persecution and harassment by Iranian authorities.

Javad Azizi, Retiree Rights Activist, Arrested in Kermanshah

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Iranian Retirees Council, Javad Azizi, Kermanshah

On Sunday, September 8, Javad Azizi, a retired citizen and retiree rights activist in Kermanshah, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, according to Iranian Retirees Council.

The report states that the arrest of the retiree rights activist took place at his private residence on Sunday, September 8, 2024, by security forces. During the arrest, the agents also confiscated Mr. Azizi’s mobile phone.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Reza Rasaei Executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, Masoum Razavi, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh County, رضا رسائی, رضا رسایی

On Tuesday, August 6, Reza Rasaei, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, was executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah.

Mr. Rasaei’s execution took place at dawn today, Tuesday, August 6, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without prior notice to his family or the opportunity for a final meeting with them.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, 34 years old, a follower of the Yarsan faith and a resident of Sahneh County, was sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in mid-October last year for the charge of “involvement in the intentional murder of Nader Birami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County.”

Following the confirmation of Reza Rasaei’s death sentence by the Seventeenth Branch of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Barani, his case was referred to the Judgment Enforcement office on December 31, 2023.
A while ago, Branch 1 of the Supreme Court rejected the request for a retrial for this prisoner, calling it “lacking legal requirements.”

In addition to the capital punishment, Rasaei faces other charges, including non-fatal injury, threatening with a knife, and disturbing public order by causing unrest. Initially, he received additional penalties such as Diya (wergild), a year sentence, and 74 lashes.

The judge’s reliance on “forced confessions obtained from Rasaei during interrogation” played a significant role in his conviction and the imposition of the death penalty.

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

Several other detainees of protests in Sahneh County on the November 18, 2022, also faced charges of murdering the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in this county. Seyed Masoum Razavi and (first name unknown) Beigi were among the other defendants in this case, with Masoum Razavi reportedly acquitted of the charges. The fate of the other defendant in this case remains unknown.

Varuzh Moradi Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Edris Moradi, HRANA, Kermanshah, Ravansar, Varouj Moradi

Varuzh (Edris) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar, was arrested and transferred to an unknown location on Sunday, August 4, following a summons to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of this county.

A source close to Moradi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Moradi was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of Ravansar County on Sunday, August 4. After appearing at this security institution, he was arrested.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information available on the reasons for the arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges against him.

Varuzh (Varouj) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar in Kermanshah province, has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his activities.

Prisoner Executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Danial Kazemi-Nejad, Danial Kazeminejad, Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, دانیال کاظمی نژاد

On Sunday, July 21st, the execution of Danial Kazemi-Nejad, who had previously been sentenced to death for “killing a Basij militia force,” was carried out in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, according to Kurdpa.

Based on this report, Danial Kazemi-Nejad, 30 years old, was arrested on July 9, 2023, for the alleged murder of a Basij officer named Sajad Amiri and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.
The execution was reportedly carried out without prior notice or a final meeting with his family.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing.
In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Supreme Court of Iran Rejects Retrial Request of Jewish Death-Row Inmate Arvin Ghahremani

Posted on by . .
News
Arvin Ghahremani, Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, Kermanshah, Nathanael, Qisas, آروین قهرمانی

The Supreme Court of Iran has dismissed the retrial request of Arvin Ghahremani (Nathanael), a 20-year-old Iranian Jew sentenced to death for his involvement in a fatal altercation that resulted in the death of one man named Amir Shokri. Ghahremani, who is currently held in Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah, was rapidly tried and sentenced to death.

Last week, his legal team was informed of the Supreme Court’s decision to reject the retrial application. Amidst growing concerns, several public figures, including prominent artists, are trying to petition the victim’s family for forgiveness, which could potentially halt the execution.

Ghahremani’s case highlights the additional challenges faced by members of religious minorities under Iran’s legal system.

A video recently circulated on social media features Ghahremani’s mother appealing for public support to stop the execution. She pleads, “Pray for Arvin to come back home again.” Dr. Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, head of Iran’s Jewish Committee, confirmed that attempts to meet with the victim’s family and the newly appointed Imam of Friday Prayer in Kermanshah, Sheikh Mohammad-Hassan Rahimian, have been rejected. Efforts by the MP from Natanz to mediate were also fruitless, and proposals such as constructing a school in the victim’s name have been declined.

This case has heightened concerns within Iran’s Jewish community. Human rights activists argue that the retribution laws and their uneven application between Muslims and non-Muslims reflect systemic discrimination against religious minorities in Iran. These laws, rooted in religious ideology, often disadvantage non-Muslim citizens.

While Qisas mandates capital punishment if a non-Muslim kills a Muslim, the reverse scenario does not hold—a Muslim who kills a non-Muslim is only obliged to pay blood money. This legal disparity is a significant barrier to a fair trial and the achievement of civil rights in Iran.

The ongoing enforcement of unjust penalties for the murder of non-Muslims has led to numerous extrajudicial killings, especially of Iran’s Baha’i community, by extremist elements.

Imminent Execution of Iranian Jewish Youth, Arvin Ghahremani

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Arvin Ghahremani, Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, Kermanshah, آروین قهرمانی

20-year-old Arvin Ghahremani, an Iranian Jew, is facing imminent execution following his conviction for killing a Muslim during a quarrel. As a member of a religious minority, the discriminatory laws make it difficult to spare his life.

Reports obtained by HRANA from Ghahremani’s close associates reveal that two years ago, Ghahremani was arrested and quickly sentenced to death for a fight that led to the death of Amri Shokri. Efforts by Ghahremani and the Kermanshah Jewish Committee to secure the victim’s family’s forgiveness through payment of blood money (Qisas) have been unsuccessful.

20-year-old Arvin Ghahremani, an Iranian Jew, is facing imminent execution following his conviction for killing a Muslim during a quarrel. As a member of a religious minority, the discriminatory laws make it difficult to spare his life. Reports from HRANA reveal that two years ago, Ghahremani killed Amir Shokri during a fight. He was arrested and quickly sentenced to death. Efforts by Ghahremani and the Kermanshah Jewish Committee to secure the victim’s family’s forgiveness through payment of blood money (Qisas) have been unsuccessful.

A video recently circulated on social media features Ghahremani’s mother appealing for public support to stop the execution. She pleads, “Pray for Arvin to come back home again.” Dr. Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, head of Iran’s Jewish Committee, confirmed that attempts to meet with the victim’s family and the newly appointed Imam of Friday Prayer in Kermanshah, Sheikh Mohammad-Hassan Rahimian, have been rejected. Efforts by the MP from Natanz to mediate were also fruitless, and proposals such as constructing a school in the victim’s name have been declined.

 

This case has heightened concerns within Iran’s Jewish community. Human rights activists argue that the retribution laws and their uneven application between Muslims and non-Muslims reflect systemic discrimination against religious minorities in Iran. These laws, rooted in religious ideology, often disadvantage non-Muslim citizens.

While Qisas mandates capital punishment if a non-Muslim kills a Muslim, the reverse scenario does not hold—a Muslim who kills a non-Muslim is only obliged to pay blood money. This legal disparity is a significant barrier to a fair trial and the achievement of civil rights in Iran.

The ongoing enforcement of unjust penalties for the murder of non-Muslims has led to numerous extrajudicial killings, especially of Iran’s Baha’i community, by extremist elements.

Inmate Executed in Kermanshah for Murder

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Ali Ashraf-Khani, Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, علی اشرف خانی

On May 2, 2024, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah.

HRANA reported that the executed individual was Ali Ashraf-Khani. A source close to his family confirmed the execution.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of this execution at the time of writing. 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.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Alarming Rise in Casualties Among Border Workers: Over 170 Kolbars and Fuel Carriers Dead or Injured in Two Months

Posted on by . .
Labor and Guilds, News, Other
Baneh, HRANA, Kermanshah, Kolbar, Kurdistan, Nowsud, Sukhtbar, West Azerbaijan

HRANA News Agency reports that from February 20 to April 19, 2024, the number of incidents causing death and injury among cross-border laborers (Kolbar) and fuel carriers (Sukhtbar) has significantly increased.

During this period, at least 15 Kolbars in the border areas of Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and West Azerbaijan provinces, and 9 Sukhtbars in the southeastern border areas of the country, lost their lives. Additionally, 141 Kolbars and 11 Sukhtbars were injured. Indiscriminate military shootings were the leading cause, followed by incidents such as falls from heights, frostbite, and cardiac arrest.

In comparison, the casualty figures from the previous two months totaled 93 (10 dead and 83 injured). This indicates a 90% increase in casualties and injuries among border workers (both Kolbars and Sukhtbars) in the recent two months.

Military shootings caused the deaths of 9 Kolbars and injuries to 115. Additional Kolbar fatalities occurred due to falls from heights (3 deaths), frostbite (2 deaths), and cardiac arrest (1 death). Of the injuries, 17 resulted from falls, 4 from military personnel assaults, and 4 from landmine explosions in the border areas.

In Sistan and Baluchestan province, 9 Baluchi Sukhtbars died from direct gunshot wounds or vehicle overturns due to military shootings. An additional 11 Sukhtbars were injured in similar incidents.

All reported incidents in Kermanshah province occurred in the border areas of Nowsud county, resulting in 98 injured Kolbars and 3 deaths. In Kurdistan province, the border areas of Baneh reported the most Kolbar casualties, with 3 deaths and 22 injuries.

Between March 23 and March 28, 2024, at least 7 Kolbars died, with 5 deaths attributed to military shootings and falls from heights.

On February 24, 2024, military personnel targeted dozens of Kolbars with gunfire at the border. Investigations show that on this day, at least 45 Kolbars were injured by military gunfire.

These figures are collected by HRANA and may underreport the true scope of casualties, as data is likely lacking in some areas.

Kolbars, primarily Kurdish citizens residing in impoverished regions, face numerous hazards while carrying heavy loads over long, difficult paths, in addition to facing military forces on both sides of the border. Indiscriminate shootings by border guards remain a significant cause of death and injury among Kolbars.

Meanwhile, in Sistan and Baluchestan province, lack of sufficient income forces many to engage in high-risk fuel carrying, known as Sukhtbari, for family livelihood. This dangerous occupation involves transporting fuel across borders and exposes workers to threats such as military attacks and natural disasters.
In addition to material damages, the killing of pack animals and incidents such as frostbite and avalanches also lurk for cross-border workers.

HRANA’s report on human rights violations in Iran during the 1402 Hijri year provides statistics on citizens killed or injured by Iran’s military forces.

Execution Carried Out in Urmia Prison for Drug Conviction

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Afshin Bagh-Shirin, Kermanshah, Urmia, Urmia prison

On April 16, 2024, authorities at Urmia Prison executed an inmate convicted of drug-related offenses.

The individual put to death has been identified by HRANA as Afshin Bagh-Shirin, hailing from Kermanshah. He had been sentenced to death six years prior.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of this execution at the time of writing. 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.

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.