Zeinab Khenyab Pour Faces Imprisonment and Fine for Photos Without Hijab

The Appellate Court in Khuzestan Province sentenced Zeinab Khenyab Pour, a resident of Behbahan, to four months in prison and paying a fine, for the publication of photos without hijab.

Initially, Khenyab Pour was handed two years in prison by the Behbahan Criminal Court.

In a separate legal development overseen by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, Khenyab Pour had previously received a three-month sentence. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

The legal proceedings stem from Khenyab Pour’s participation in a general strike supporting nationwide protests on December 5, 2022. In response to the closure of her garment shop, she sought clarification from judicial authorities and was subsequently detained for six days in Sepidar Prison, located in Ahvaz. The case has ignited discussions about freedom of expression and the legal consequences individuals may face for their involvement in civic actions.

 

Abbas and Mohsen Deris Sentenced to a Combined 16 Years in Prison

Abbas and Mohsen Deris, arrested during the 2019-2020 protests (Aban Protests), have been collectively sentenced to 16 years in prison by the Criminal Court of Khuzestan Province.

Their lawyer, Fereshteh Tabanian, announced the verdict, stating, “Abbas Deris received a 14-year sentence for ‘murder, holding, and carrying weapons,’ with ten years enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal. Mohsen Deris was given a two-year sentence for ‘carrying weapons’ and acquitted of aiding in murder.”

“No evidence supports Abbas Deris’s involvement in the charges presented in this legal case,” Tabanian emphasized.

According to Tabanian, Abbas Deris was recently transferred from Sepidar Prison to Mahshahr Prison.

In a separate legal case, Abbas Deris received a death sentence for “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) from the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court. Although Tabanian had informed that the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in July, she has now clarified that Deris’s request for a retrial is still pending a response.

Notably, his two brothers, including Mohsen Deris, were acquitted of Moharebeh in this specific case.

Arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents on December 8, 2019, Abbas and Mohsen Deris faced charges related to their participation in the protests. Abbas admitted to involvement but denied specific actions like setting fires and blocking roads. While he initially confessed to shooting at security forces during interrogation, he later disclaimed any responsibility for the death of Capt. Reza Sayadi during the closing arguments.

In November 2019, an increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across the country. The spokesperson of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Seyed Hossein Taghavi, announced that 7000 people were arrested during these protests. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by the security apparatus.

Appellate Court Upholds Mohsen Kheirkhah’s Three-Year Sentence

The Appellate Court of Khuzestan Province has upheld a three-year sentence against Mohsen Kheirkhah, a resident of Mahshahr.

On July 22, 2023, the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court handed down a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and an additional two years for “insulting the Supreme Court of Iran.”

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that the most severe punishment must be enforced in cases involving multiple charges, Kheirkhah is set to spend two years in prison.

Kheirkhah’s arrest took place during the September-October 2022 nationwide protests, and he was initially released from Behbahan Prison after a period of detainment by security forces. Following his release, he faced an additional eight-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” However, he was granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

Execution of Inmate in Ramhormoz for Drug Offenses

On Sunday, November 12, prison authorities in Ramhormoz carried out the execution of an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The executed individual has been identified as Abdolkhalegh Parvizi, a resident of Ahvaz in the Khuzestan province. He had been convicted of drug offenses three years prior to the execution.

As of the current moment, there is a lack of official confirmation from authorities or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country 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.

 

 

Inmate Executed in Ramhormoz Prison

On Sunday, October 1, Ramhormoz Prison in Khuzestan province carried out the execution of an inmate convicted of murder.

The Iran Human Rights Organization has confirmed the identity of the executed inmate as Samad Moradi, a 30-year-old individual from Izeh County.

Two days prior to his execution, Moradi was transferred to solitary confinement, a move that sparked protests and resistance from fellow inmates. An altercation with prison guards during this transfer resulted in injuries to some prisoners.

Moradi had been convicted of murder five years ago, and his execution was carried out as a result of this conviction.

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Poison Attacks on School Students Continue across Iran

On March 6, 2023, the wave of poison attacks on school students continued across Iran, as 100 school students in Khuzestan, 269 in East Azerbaijan Province, 75 in Semnan Province and several others in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province were poisoned and taken to hospital. Also, the Governor of Masal announced that the number of poisoned students has increased to 43.

According to ILNA, The Director General of Education of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province informed the public about the hospitalization of several students in two schools in Shahrekord.

Quoting the deputy of the Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, IRNA reported that about 100 school students had been hospitalized due to poisoning in Khuzestan Province. This university official expressed his hope that all these students would be discharged soon.

Aftab News, quoting the dead of East Azerbaijan Emergency, reported the hospitalization of 269 students in the cities of Ajabshir, Sufian, Marand, Azarshahr, Mianeh and Tabriz. “Most of them have been discharged, but there are still 23 students under medical care,” he stated.

Also, IRIB reposted the hospitalization of 75 students from five schools in Semnan Province. Out of these students, seven are still in the hospital.

The Governor of Masal announced that the number of poisoned students has increased to 43, of which 21 students are in the emergency room.

Earlier, a deputy of Iran’s ministry of health stated that with these attacks: “Some want all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed down.”

Also, Mohammad-Taghi Fazel Meybodi, a religious scholar and university professor, called these incidents intentional attacks organized by “religious groups.” Moreover, the prosecutor-General of Iran also called these incidents “intentional.”

 

German National Arrested in Khuzestan

IRGC-affiliated news agency Tasnim reported the arrest of an unidentified German national due to photographing the oil facilities in Omidiyeh.

The report did not reveal the detainee’s identity and the allegations against him.

According to Article 503 of the Islamic Penal Code, taking photos of forbidden places can be punishable by a prison term from six months to three years.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

On Saturday, August 27, 2022, at least four protests took place in Iran.

A number of citizens gathered before the Iranian Public Conscription Organization against two years of compulsory military service. This protest turned violent by police and several students and reporters were arrested.

In Omidiyeh County, Khuzestan Province, a number of job seekers protested against poor living conditions and unemployment before the Governor’s office.

A number of farmers of Kohgiluyeh County gathered before the Governorate building to demand their water portion from the Marun River.

In Tabriz, a group of citizens who have purchased apartments for a housing construction project held a protest in front of the Municipality building.

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

On Saturday, August 20, and Sunday, August 21, 2022, at least six protests took place in Iran.

Saturday, August 20

A number of educators recruited in the recruiting plan Mehr Afrain gathered in front of the Ministry of Education to protest against their poor living conditions and ask for the implementation of the educators’ classification plan.

A group of service workers of the Ministry of Education gathered before the Ministry in Tehran to demand the job modification and working as educators as the Ministry had previously approved.

 

The residents of Shadegan, Khuzestan Province, demonstrated in front of the Governor’s office in protest against repeated power outages. Reportedly, some of the protestors gathered in the building to protest.

Sunday, August 21,

The pensioners of the Fulad Pension Fund gathered before the building of this fund in Isfahan to protest against not addressing their issues.

A number of citizens who have purchased apartments in a housing project Fatemieh Yazd protested against breaching the contract rules regarding the allocation of housing units.

A number of Iran-Iraq war veterans held a protest in front of Tehran Municipality.

 

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

On Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, at least 8 protests took place in Iran.

The workers of the Regional Electricity Organization in Hormozgan, Khuzestan and East Azerbaijan Provinces gathered before this organization building in each city. According to these protestors, six months after the beginning of the year, the company has not yet announced how much their salaries will increase.

The pensioners continued their protests in Ardabil, Arak and Ahvaz. They asked to free imprisoned pensioners and levelling up pensions in accordance with Supreme Labor Council’s enactment.

A number of residents of Shadegan, Khuzestan Province, gathered before the Regional Electricity Organization to protest against frequent power blackouts.

On Sunday, August 7, the volunteer firefighters of the NGO Anjoman Sabz Chia gathered before the Governor’s office in Mariwan to protest against the local authorities’ inattention to recent wildfires.