Tag: Mahabad

Hossein Hosseinpour Sentenced to Eleven Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2002 nationwide protests, Hossein Hosseinpour, Mahabad, Shiraz

Hossein Hosseinpour, a resident of Mahabad, received an 11-month prison sentence after originally being sentenced to one year, following a plea of no contest. The verdict, based on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” cites Instagram posts as evidence.

Arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence in Shiraz in August 2023, Hosseinpour underwent the interrogation process in a detention facility before being transferred to Adelabad Prison. In January 2024, he was relocated to Prison No. 2 in Shiraz.

During the 2022 nationwide protests, Hosseinpour suffered injuries to his right eye from an airgun bullet fired by regime forces, undergoing four surgeries since then. Despite contracting an infection in his eye during detention, he has been denied access to necessary medical treatment.

In December 2023, he was indicted on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” leading to the initial one-year sentence, later reduced to 11 months. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of individuals involved in the protests and their access to adequate medical care.

Sunni Prisoner Farhad Salimi Executed in Ghezel Hesar, Karaj

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Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Abdolrahim Tina, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mahabad, moharebeh

On January 23, 2024, Sunni Prisoner Farhad Salimi was executed in Ghezel Hesar, Karaj, following more than 13 years of incarceration.

In this legal case, three other Sunni defendants—Ghasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, and Davoud Abdollahi—were executed on November 5, November 29, 2023, and January 2, 2024, respectively.

A source close to Salimi’s family informed HRANA that they had not received any phone calls from him in the days leading up to the execution, and the family was not formally notified about the carrying out of the sentence.

The unnamed source, citing security concerns, expressed, “A psychological game was played with the Salimi family; no official took responsibility to inform them about his whereabouts, status, or any plans they had for him. The family was not even formally notified about the execution; we only learned about it through his fellow inmates. The family is actively seeking further inquiries and custody of the body.”

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

During his detention, Salimi faced multiple charges, including enmity against God (Moharebeh), allegedly through sympathizing with Salafism—a charge he consistently refuted. After spending fourteen months in legal limbo, Salimi was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, where he remained until his relocation to Ghezel Hesar Prison in August of the current year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for him and six other defendants—Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Davoud Abdollahi, Khosro Besharat, Ghasem Abasteh, and Ayoub Karimi. This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for him and his co-defendants.

Sunni Prisoner Ayoub Karimi Executed in Karaj

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Executions, News
Abdolrahim Tina, Anvar Khezri, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Ghezel Hesar, Kamran Sheikheh, Khosro Besharat, Mahabad, moharebeh, sunni prisoner

Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, was executed today, November 29, in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj, after enduring more than 13 years of incarceration.

Karimi had been moved to solitary confinement in the prison the previous Sunday, foreshadowing his imminent execution.
Notably, in this legal case, another Sunni prisoner, Ghasem Abasteh, met the same fate in the same prison on November 5 of this year.

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

Subsequently, Karimi was charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through sympathizing with Salafism,” a charge he consistently refuted. After spending fourteen months in legal limbo, Karimi was transferred to Rajai Shahr prison, Karaj, where he remained until his relocation to Qezel Hesar Prison in August of this year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Ayoub Karimi and six others – Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ghasem Abasteh, and Davoud Abdollahi.

This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for Ayoub Karimi and his co-defendants.

Yaser Rahmani Rad Arrested in Khorramabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRAHA, Khorramabad, Mahabad, Tehran, Yaser Rahmani Rad

On September 21, 2023, Yaser Rahmani Rad, a physician, was arrested by security forces in Khorramabad and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Rahmani’s family informed HRAHA that at 6:00 a.m., the intelligence agents went to Rahmani’s residence and arrested him. They also searched the house and confiscated some items including cell phones belonging to his and his family.

The motive behind Rahmani’s arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed at this time. In December 2022, Rahmani and two other physicians were arrested by security forces on their trip from Tehran and Khorramabad to Mahabad. All their medical equipment and public aid collected for the people of Mahabad were seized by security forces.
Rahmani was released on bail from Mahabad Prison on January 18, 2024. After a while, Rahmani Rad was indicted of “assembly and collusion against national security” of which he was acquitted.

Taha Rasoulian Sentenced to Seven Years, Three Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Taha Rasoulian

In a recent verdict issued by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, Taha Rasoulian, a resident of Piranshahr, has been handed a sentence of seven years and three months, according to a report from Kurdpa.

This sentence encompasses three years for “membership in a political opposition party,” three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” culminating in a total imprisonment period of seven years and three months.

Taha Rasoulian’s legal ordeal commenced with his arrest in Piranshahr on January 18, 2023, followed by his release on February 21, 2023.

In a separate legal case, in May 2023, Rasoulian faced a sentence from the Piranshahr Criminal Court, resulting in a fine and a punishment of 40 lashes, stemming from allegations of “disrupting public order and safety.”

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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.