Tag: Mahabad

Omid Mazloum Arrested in Mahabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hazhir Faramarzi, Mahabad, Omid Mazloum, Pezhman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar

On July 25, security forces conducted the arrest of Omid Mazloum in Mahabad County, taking him to an undisclosed location.

A trusted source close to his family, who spoke to HRANA, disclosed that Mazloum was apprehended at his residence in a village near Mahabad. During the arrest, the agents searched his house.

It’s worth noting that Omid’s brother, Mohsen Mazloum, is a political prisoner who was arrested on September 23, 2022, along with three other individuals, Pezhman (Perjman) Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hazhir (Hajir) Faramarzi.

Following their arrest, the security-institution-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, reported on the arrest of what they referred to as a “network of Israeli spies,” implicating the aforementioned individuals. Approximately 80 days later, Iran’s state TV aired coerced confessions from them, accusing them of spying for foreign intelligence and claiming they were arrested in sensitive locations in Isfahan.

In response to these developments, Komalah (CPI), a Kurdish oppositional political party, issued a statement firmly denying all allegations and warned against potential conspiracies by intelligence institutions targeting detainees accused of being members of the party.

 

Bapir Barzeh Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Ojaghlou, Bapir Barzeh, Mahabad, Naqadeh, Piranshahr

Former political prisoner Bapir Barzeh has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court.

As reported by Kurdpa, Judge Amir Ojaghlou presided over Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, which found Barzeh guilty of “acting against national security through membership in an anti-regime political party.”

Additionally, Barzeh has recently received a one-year prison sentence from the Piranshahr Criminal Court.

Barzeh’s arrest took place on November 22, 2022, when security forces apprehended him without presenting an arrest warrant. He was subsequently held in a detention facility in Urmia. Throughout his detention period, reports indicate that Barzeh was denied access to legal representation and visits from his family. Finally, he was released on bail from Naqadeh prison on January 26, 2023.

It’s important to note that Barzeh has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Fereydoon Nabi Receives Seven-Year, Eight-Month Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fereydoon Nabi, Mahabad, Naghadeh, Piranshahr, Urmia

Mahabad Revolutionary Court and Piranshahr Criminal Court have imposed a seven-year, eight-month prison sentence and fine on Fereydoon Nabi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, sourced from Kurdpa, Fereydoon Nabi has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment along with a financial penalty.

The Mahabad Revolutionary Court handed down a three-year, seven-month sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security,” a two-year, eleven-month sentence for “membership in an anti-regime political party,” and an additional eight-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year, seven-month prison term will be enforceable.

Furthermore, the Piranshahr Criminal Court has sentenced Nabi to six months in prison and a fine for “carrying an illegal weapon and throwing a Molotov cocktail.”
On October 29, 2022, security forces arrested Nabi at his family residence in Piranshahr without presenting an arrest warrant. After two days of interrogation at a detention facility in Urmia, he was subsequently incarcerated in Naghadeh Prison. Nabi was eventually released on bail on May 9, 2023.

 

Update on Political Prisoner Sirus Moloodi’s Condition in Adelabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Mahabad, Sirus Moloodi

Political prisoner Sirus Moloodi is currently serving his five-year sentence in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison, of which two years he will serve in exile.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Sirus Moloodi, a resident of Mahabad, is serving his five-year sentence in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

An informed source told HRANA, “Moloodi, an athlete, was jailed in a detention centre at the disposal of security institutions for one year and ten months. Then the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years and two years exile for armed action against national security.”

“Although he was pardoned under a recent directive, prison officials told him he would not be released,” this source added.

On April 30, 2021, security forces arrested Moloodi in Shiraz.

Three Physicians Arrested in Mahabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behnam Ohadi, Homayoun Eftekharian-Nia, Jaser Rahmani-Rad, Khorramabad, Mahabad

The intelligence agents arrested three doctors Jaser Rahmani-Rad (GP), Behnam Ohadi (Psychiatrist) and Homayoun Eftekharian-Nia (Operating Room Technician), in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province. They had travelled from Tehran and Khorramabad to Mahabad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three physicians, Jaser Rahmani-Rad, age 34,  Behnam Ohadi, age 49, and Homayoun Eftekharian-Nia, age 23, were arrested in Mahabad.

These individuals travelled to Mahabad on November 30 and were arrested four days later by security agents.

The reason for these arrests is still unknown. Their families’ inquiries have yet remained unanswered by judicial/security officials, raising their concerns over their conditions.

 

 

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Mahsa Amini’s Death Sparks Nationwide Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
death to the dictator, Karaj, Kian Derakhshan, Mahabad, Mahsa Amini, Parsa Sehat, Rasht, Sanandaj, Saqqez

The death of Mahsa Amini has sparked nationwide condemnation and protests in several cities in Iran. Amini was a 22-year-old woman from Saqqez, Kurdistan Province. She was arrested by Tehran Morality Police at a train station for improper hejab. She fell into a coma where she was in custody and then died in a hospital in Tehran.

Since Amini’s death, hundreds of individuals have organized protests, and businesses in a number of cities were closed in protest. On Saturday, September 17, there were also angry demonstrations during her funeral at her burial and in front of the governorate building in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province. The police used violence against the protestors using tear gas and gunshots. Several people have been injured. Kurdpa has identified Kian Derakhshan as being in critical condition. The video below shows the moment he was injured. 

Another individual identified as Parsa Sehat was injured in the eye and nose and is hospitalized in Tabriz.

The protests continued on Sunday, September 18. In Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, people rallied and chanted slogans against the regime such as “Kurdistan, a graveyard for fascists”, and “Death to Dictator”. The police used the shooting to crack down on the protestors. Sanandaj’s residents have reported internet disruptions. Some videos show the deployment of special guard forces and water cannons. Moreover, several pictures on social media show some citizens have been injured by pellet guns.

Confirming the arrest of several protestors, the Deputy Governor of Kurdistan claimed that so far no one has been killed in the past two days.

In Mahabad, The police with a heavy presence attempted to scatter the crowd in order to prevent the protest.   

The University of Tehran students held a protest on campus. Also, in the Gohardasht district of Karaj, Mahabad, Sanandaj, Rasht, and several other cities demonstrations were held, where people chanted “death to the dictator”, “death to Khamanei”, and “woman, life, freedom.” 

Sa’ada Khadirzadeh Sentenced to 12 Years Imprisonment

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News, Other
Mahabad, Sa'ada Khadirzadeh

The Criminal Court of Mahabad sentenced Sa’ada Khadirzadeh to 12 years and 6 months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Sa’ada Khadirzadeh, a resident of Piranshahr, was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison on the charges of “accessory to the murder of an IRGC member,” and “membership in an anti-regime political group.”

On November 8 2021, Khadirzadeh was transferred to Urmia Prison and conceived a child, but later attempted suicide.  

Five Individuals Arrested in Mahabad

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Other
Amir Bayazidi Azar, Cia Pirzad, Geok Tepe, Jalal Mahmoudi, Kambiz Bayazidi Azar, Kurdpa, Mahabad, Shahram Bayazidi Azar

On August 16, 2022, security forces arrested five individuals in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province, and transferred them to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on August 16, 2022, security forces arrested Amir Bayazidi Azar, Shahram Bayazidi Azar, Kambiz Bayazidi Azar, Chia Pirzad and Jalal Mahmoudi.

All these individuals are residents of the village Geok Tepe located in Mahabad County.

At the time of arrest, the agents searched their house and arrested them without showing any arrest and search warrant.

Last year, Amir Bayazidi Azar was arrested and sentenced to three months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” He was released from jail on January 1, 2022, after serving out his sentence.  

Political Prisoner Khaled Freidooni Released after 22 Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Khaled Freidooni, Mahabad, moharebeh, Urmia prison

On July 26, political prisoner Khaled Freidooni was released from Urmia Prison after 22 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mostafa Nili, Freidooni’s lawyer, announced the release of his client from Urmia Prison on social media.

On August 31, 2000, Freidooni was arrested and charged with “acting against national security” and “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through association with an anti-regime political party”. The Revolutionary Court of Mahabad sentenced him to death. After three and half years, this verdict was reduced to imprisonment on appeal.

During this period, Freidooni was held in Piranshahr, Mahabad and Urmia prisons. In 2007, he went into exile in Rajai Shahr Prison. After ten years, he was sent back to Urmia Prison.

On January 16, 2022, for the first time after 21 years, Freidooni was granted furlough.

Two Workers Killed Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions in Zanjan and Mahabad

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
ILNA, Jafari Roohi, Mahabad, Mahabad Cities, Mahabad City, Roohi, workplace safety, zanjan, Zanjan City

On Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28th,  two workers lost their lives in workplace accidents in Mahabad and Zanjan cities, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna news, on Sunday, November 28,  a worker was killed in an explosion at a welding workshop in Zanjan City. Jafari Roohi, head of Zanjan’s Emergency Medical Center, commented on the incident.

“Two ambulances were dispatched to the spot. The injured man, 30 years old, had been killed right after the explosion,” Roohi said. He added that the victim died due to the explosion of a gas tank in a welding workshop.

In Mahabad, according to ILNA, a construction worker fell from the third floor of an under-construction building and lost his life.

“Today, a-31 year-old worker who was concreting a column construction fell from the third floor and died immediately,” the Mahabad Chief of Police commented.

Iran ranks 102nd in workplace safety among 189 countries.