Seven Inmates Executed in Yazd, Mashhad and Birjand

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Haal Vsh reports the execution of seven inmates on May 4, 2023, across three different prisons in Iran: five in Yazd prison, one in Birjand, and one in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Among the five executed in Yazd, three have been identified as Saboor Shah-Bakhsh (23), Amir Rameshk (34), and Abdolbasir Bazhm (29). These prisoners were convicted of drug-related crimes in recent years. The identities of the other two inmates remain unknown, but it is reported that one was convicted of drug-related crimes and the other of murder.

Additionally, on the same day, an inmate named Nour-Ahmad Zavarzahi from Zahedan was executed in Vakilabad prison, Mashhad. He had been sentenced to death for drug offenses two years ago.

On April 29, Birjand Prison officials executed an inmate identified as Jaber Aminifar without notifying his family. He was imprisoned for several years.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country has reported these executions at the time of writing.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Iran Protests: Mohammad Soltani Detained for over Three Months

Mohammad Soltani, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, is still detained in Vakilabad prison for over three months, awaiting further legal proceedings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mohammad Soltani, age 27, is still detained for over three months in Vakilabad Prison.

On December 3, 2022, the intelligence agents arrested Soltani at his home in Mashhad and took him to Vakilabad Prison.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

 

Civil Rights Activist Fatemeh Sepehri Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

The Court of Appeals of Razavi Khorasan Province sentenced civil rights activist Fatemeh Sepehri to 18 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the 18-year sentence against civil rights activist Fatemeh Sepehri was upheld on appeal.

Earlier, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court Sepehri sentenced Sepehri to ten years for “collaboration with hostile foreign governments,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” This verdict has been upheld on appeal.

Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years in prison for the first charge will be enforceable.

It is worth noting that according to her brother, Asghar Sepehri, the judicial officials did not accept her lawyer’s power of attorney letter.

On September 21, 2022, security forces arrested Sepehri at her house in Mashhad and jailed her in Vakilabad Prison.

In another case, in January 2023, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced her to one year and a 20-million-tomans fine for “spreading falsehood, disturbing public opinions through social media activities and presence in media outside Iran.”

On prior occasions, as one of the signatories of a letter asking Ali Khamenei to resign, Sepehri faced other arrests and convictions.

French-Irish National Bernard Phelan Sentenced to 6.5 Years

Detained French-Irish Bernard Phelan was sentenced to six years and six months.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Reuters, French-Irish Bernard Phelan was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

Quoting Phelan’s sister, the report mentioned “providing information to another country” as one charge against Phelan.

On October 3, 2022, Phelan, 64, was arrested by security forces during his last trip to Iran.

Earlier, The Irish Times revealed that he is jailed in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

Hadi Atashbar Arrested in Mashhad

On February 14, 2023, security forces arrested Hadi Atashbar, a former political prisoner, at his home in Mashhad and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on February 14, 2023, Hadi Atashbar was arrested in Mashhad.

An informed source told HRANA that the plainclothes agents did not show any arrest warrant. The reason for his arrest is still unknown.
Atashbar, age 45, faced other arrests and convictions on a prior occasion.

 

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French Tourist Benjamin Briere on Hunger Strike

Imprisoned French tourist Benjamin Briere went on a hunger strike to protest against not addressing his issues. He is currently serving his sentence in Vakil-Abad Prison, Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Benjamin Briere went on a hunger strike for the second time during his incarceration.

Informing the public about her brother’s hunger strike, Blandine Briere stated that “It’s the only weapon he has.”

A while ago, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna asked Iranian authorities for the release of “seven French hostages.” She urged Iran to stay in compliance with International laws and stop “arbitrary” arrests.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces and spent 600 days in pre-trial detention. On January 25, 2022, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Briere to eight years and eight months in prison for “espionage and propaganda against the regime.” Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “alcohol drinking” was dismissed by the court. In July of this year, this verdict was upheld on appeal.

 

Detained Protestor Majid-Reza Rahnavard Executed Publicly in Mashhad

On December 12, Majid-Reza Rahnavard was executed in public in Mashhad. Recently, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Majid-Reza Rahnavard, arrested at protests, to death on the charge of “enmity against God.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Majid-Reza Rahnavard, age 23, was executed in Mashhad.

An informed source told HRANA the court had already determined his guilt, and he was not allowed to defend himself. Rahnavard’s trial began only ten days after his arrest.

Rahnavard has been accused of killing two Basij militia forces in Mashhad during protests. Nonetheless, the assailant’s face cannot be identified by any CCTV cameras that captured the scene.

Earlier, pro-government mobs assaulted his family’s apartment and broke doors and windows to terrorize his family.

 

Baha’i citizen Sanaz Tafazoli Arrested in Mashhad

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, the intelligence agents arrested Baha’i citizen Sanaz Tafazoli in Mashhad and took her to an undisclosed location. The agent searched her house and confiscated some of her and her son’s belongings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Sanaz Tafazoli was arrested in Mashhad.

After three days, Tafazoli’s whereabouts is still unknown.
She has faced other arrests and convictions on a prior occasion.

 

Arash Ramezani Arrested in Mashhad

On October 23, 2022, security forces arrested writer Arash Ramezani in Mashhad and took him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, writer Arash Ramezani was arrested in Mashhad.

According to an informed source, Ramezani was arrested at his workplace. The reason for this arrest and the charges are still unknown. Ramezani, living in Mashhad, has published two fiction books.

 

 

Five Inmates Executed in Mashhad

On Sunday, October 2, five inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, on October 2, 2022, five inmates, of which four have been identified as Asef Shakib, Saeed Shakib, Ramezan Mazarzeh and Avaz Bilrani, were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

All of these prisoners had been convicted of drug-related crimes.

These executions have not been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far.