Tag: Mahabad

Brothers Arrested in Mahabad by Security Forces

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Children, News, Other
Ehsan Rasoulzadeh, Mahabad, Mardin Rasoulzadeh

On Wednesday, August 14, security forces arrested 13-year-old Mardin Rasoulzadeh and his brother, 22-year-old Ehsan Rasoulzadeh, in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province, and transferred them to an unknown location, according to Kolbar News.

Security forces reportedly apprehended the brothers at their family home without presenting a judicial warrant. The family’s efforts to obtain information about their sons’ whereabouts have so far been unsuccessful, with security agencies refusing to provide any specific details regarding their status.

No information has been released regarding the reasons for their arrest, their current location, or the charges against them.

Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad Arrested by Security Forces

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News, Other
Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad, Mahabad

On Wednesday, August 14th, Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad, a 45-year-old resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest occurred in Mahabad without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for the arrest, the location of detention, or the charges against her.

Death-Row Political Prisoner Pakhshan Azizi Hit with New Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Courthouse, Mahabad, Pakshan Azizi, Tehran

Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to death and currently held in Evin Prison, is now facing new charges, as reported by Kurdpa.

The report states that Ms. Azizi has been accused of “rioting in prison” in a new case initiated by Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. This charge is reportedly related to the second round of the 1403 presidential elections.

Earlier this month, Ms. Azizi was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges including membership in anti-regime groups.

Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

This political detainee was deprived of the right to access a private lawyer and meet with her family for a long time. Eventually, after four months of interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Ms. Azizi was formally charged in February of 2023 at Evin Courthouse, and her indictment was referred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Azizi had previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations. She was detained by security forces on November 16, 2009, and released on bail after four months.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Pakhshan Azizi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mahabad, Pakhshan Azizi

Pakhshan Azizi, a political detainee held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to Ms. Azizi in Evin Prison on Tuesday, July 23rd, she was sentenced to death on  multiple charges including “membership in anti-regime groups.” The court session to address the charges against this political detainee was held on May 28th of this year in the mentioned branch.
Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

This political detainee was deprived of the right to access a private lawyer and meet with her family for a long time. Eventually, after four months of interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Ms. Azizi was formally charged in February of 2023 at Evin Courthouse, and her indictment was referred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Pakhshan Azizi had previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations. She was detained by security forces on November 16, 2009, and released on bail after four months.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Political Defendants Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi Stage Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Baha'is Graveyard in Sanandaj, Evin Prison, Mahabad, Pakhshan Azizi, Salavati, Varisheh Moradi

Varisheh (Varisha) Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi have initiated a hunger strike in Evin Prison to protest prolonged detention without a court hearing and Moradi’s relocation to security Ward 209, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

Despite being detained for nine months, there has been no clarity in their legal proceedings.

Confirming their hunger strike, a source close to their families informed HRANA that Moradi was recently banned from making phone calls and family visits by the order of Judge Abolqasem Salavati. She was moved from the Women’s Ward to Ward 209 on May 14, and both Azizi and Moradi initiated their hunger strike the following day.

Moradi was apprehended by security forces on August 1, 2023, in the suburbs of Sanandaj. Later in August, she was transferred from a detention facility in Sanandaj to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After completing the interrogation process on December 26, 2023, she was relocated to the Women’s Ward within the prison.

In February 2024, Moradi was indicted by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of armed rebellion (Baghi) due to suspected membership in a political opposition party. However, the court session was annulled due to the absence of the counselor.

Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested on August 4, 2023, by security forces in Tehran. She was interrogated for four months in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being relocated to the Women’s Ward. In February 2024, Azizi was also indicted for “membership in anti-regime groups,” under review by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari.

This is not the first time Azizi has faced arrest and judicial confrontation, as she was previously arrested by security forces on November 16, 2009, and detained for four months until her release on bail.

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16-Year-Old Mobin Sheykheh-Pour Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence in Urmia

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Children, News
Mahabad, Mobin Sheykheh-Pour, Urmia

On May 1, 2024, Mobin Sheykheh-Pour, a 16-year-old, was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence in Urmia, as Kurdpa reports.

Sheykheh-Pour was reportedly arrested after his presence at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Urmia. This follows a prior summons last month to the Ministry’s office in Mahabad, where he underwent interrogation and physical assault. The details of his condition and the charges against him are still undisclosed.

According to 2023 data compiled by the Department of Statistics, at least 130 individuals under the age of 18 were detained by security institutions.

Sunni Death-Row Prisoner Moved to Solitary Confinement Ahead of Possible Execution

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Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Anvar Khezri, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Khosrow Besharat, Mahabad, Mohammad Moghiseh, خسرو بشارت

Khosrow Besharat, a Sunni prisoner on death row, was transferred to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison on May 1, raising concerns about his possible imminent execution.

His family is gravely worried as five other prisoners from the same case, Ghasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, and Anvar Khezri were executed in the same prison. The latter was executed today, May 1.

The case stems from the assassination of Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, in September 2008. In January and February 2010, Besharat and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection with the killing.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, Besharat’s sentence was initially overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then reassigned to Branch 15 of the same court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Besharat and six other defendants. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the death sentences for Besharat and his co-defendants on February 3, 2020.

Execution of Sunni Prisoner Anvar Khezri in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Anvar Khezri, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mahabad, انور خضری

On May 1, 2024, Anvar Khezri, a death-row Sunni prisoner, was executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj after spending over fourteen years imprisonment.

A source close to his family confirmed the execution and noted that Khezri’s family is traveling to Mahabad for the funeral.

In the same legal case, four other Sunni prisoners—Ghasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, and Farhad Salimi—had been previously executed in the same prison.

The case dates back to September 2008 when Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, was assassinated by unidentified individuals. In January and February 2010, Khezri and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection to the assassination.

Khezri faced multiple charges during his detention, including enmity against God (Moharebeh), allegedly for sympathizing with Salafism—a charge he consistently denied. After spending fourteen months without resolution, Khezri was moved to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, where he stayed until his transfer to Ghezel Hesar Prison in August of the same year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the same court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Khezri and six other defendants. This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for Khezri and his co-defendants.

Soran Mahmoudi Sentenced to Three Years for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Soran Mahmoudi, سوران محمودی

The Revolutionary Court of Mahabad has sentenced Soran Mahmoudi, a resident of Piranshahr, to three years in prison on political charges, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Judge Doosti, who presided over the case, sentenced Mahmoudi to three years for “membership in a group aiming to undermine national security.” Mahmoudi was initially arrested by security forces in September 2023 and was released on bail in November while awaiting legal proceedings.

Saman Oveisi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Mahabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mahabad, Saman Oveisi, سامان اویسی

According to a report by Kurdpa, Saman Oveisi was summoned by IRGC Intelligence in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province, in recent days and subsequently arrested after his arrival. He was then taken to an undisclosed location.

Oveisi, aged 21, was reportedly summoned via phone. The reason for his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Data compiled by the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reveals that IRGC Intelligence has been implicated in 392 cases of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests.