Benjamin Berier Indicted on Charges of Espionage and Spreading Propaganda Against the System

Benjamin Berier, arrested last May and held in Vakilabad Prison in the city of Mashhad since, has been indicted more than two months after giving his last defense to the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Berier’s lawyer Saeed Dehghan wrote in a note on his social media that Benjamin Berier has been found guilty on charges of spying and spreading propaganda against the system. His other two charges of drinking and spreading depravity were dropped.

According to Dehghan, photographing forbidden areas, and asking the question “Why is the hijab mandatory in the Islamic Republic but optional in other Islamic countries?” are the reasons for the accusation of spying and propaganda against the regime.

Berier’s lawyer previously told HRANA, “Despite the ambiguities and contradictions in his charges against Mr. Berier, his case has not been allowed access to a lawyer thus far, which is a catastrophe.”

Mr. Dehghan also told HRANA that translational errors from a particular French publication have exacerbated the suspicion among officials.

“In a news story published by the French newspaper Figaro, Berier’s use of the common word “drone” has been misinterpreted as a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)–Mr. Berier is a tourist who used a ‘helicam’ for photography,” Dehghan said. “The use of this word by the newspaper Figaro has caused this misconception by some media. Figaro also reported Mr. Berier is a French Iranian citizen while he actually is a French citizen.”

Authorities Quash Show of Support for Sequestered Teacher Hashem Khastar

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)- The wife, children, and colleagues of teachers’ union activist Hashem Khastar, 65, who was forcibly hospitalized on October 23, 2018, in Mashhad, were detained by agents of the Intelligence Ministry on Monday, November 5th.

More than 10 of Khastar’s supporters were arrested while convening in front of Ebn-Sina hospital, where Khastar remains detained in the psychiatric ward despite having no history of mental illness. They have been transferred to the Intelligence Bureau of Mashhad.

HRANA has thus far been able to confirm the identities of five arrestees: Sadigheh Maleki Fard (Khastar’s wife), Jahed Khastar and Ahmad Khastar (Khastar’s sons), and colleagues “Mr. Lotfinia” and “Mr. Yazdi.”

According to a close source, authorities were quick to head off their show of solidarity. “Security agents were already present at the hospital prior to the protesters’ arrival and had blocked the roads leading up to it. Khastar’s family were arrested as soon as they arrived. Several other individuals — teachers and colleagues of Mr. Khastar — were arrested throughout the day until 5:30 PM.”

Arrestees were reportedly booked at the police station before being handed over to Ministry of Intelligence custody.

Mashhad is the capital of Razavi Khorasan province, located in Iran’s northeast.

56 Prisoners Executed During 17 Days

HRANA News Agency – In a concerning statistical jump, in less than three weeks, more than 56 prisoners with different charges were hanged in 10 different cities of Iran.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), in 17 days, 56 executions were registered in Shahrood, Gorgan, Uremia, Minab, Tabriz, Mashhad, Taybad, Nayriz, and Shiraz. Continue reading “56 Prisoners Executed During 17 Days”

16 Prisoners Were Hanged in Mashhad and Birjand

HRANA News Agency – 16 prisoners with drug related charges were hanged in Mashhad and Birjand during April 16 and 17.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 12 prisoners were hanged in Mashhad on April 16 and 4 others in Birjand on April 17. All of these prisoners were sentenced to death for drug related charges. Continue reading “16 Prisoners Were Hanged in Mashhad and Birjand”

A number of civilians arrested in Mashhad

HRANA News Agency – Following the death of “Morteza Pashai”, Iranian popular singer, musician and songwriter, spontaneous gatherings were held around the nation in Iran by the fans of the deceased, and in some cases it was associated with conflict and detention of civilians by the security forces.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), following the death of Morteza Pashai, young Iranian singer, musician and composer, spontaneous gatherings by supporters of the deceased were held in cities across the country. In these street demonstrations people sang the death artist’s songs holding lit kindles in their hands. Continue reading “A number of civilians arrested in Mashhad”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

14 executions including 4 public hangings during 4 days

HRANA News Agency – 14 prisoners have been hanged during 4 days in Semnan, Zabol, Kermanshah and Mashhad.

According to the report of the Judiciary of Semnan province, a prisoner was hanged on charge of rapping publicly in Semnan on April 26th. Continue reading “14 executions including 4 public hangings during 4 days”

9 executions including 3 in public during 48 hours

HRANA News Agency – 9 prisoners have been executed in different cities including 3 public ones in Alborz province.

 

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 3 prisoners have been hanged in Mehrshahr, Nazar Abad and Hashtgerd in Alborz province on February 26th. Continue reading “9 executions including 3 in public during 48 hours”

2 prisoners are hanged in Mashhad prison

HRANA News Agency – Two prisoners who were said to be accused of raping, have been hanged by Wednesday morning in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad.

According to a report by Khorasan newspaper, on April 24th, 2 prisoners who this report claims to be rapists have been hanged in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad. Continue reading “2 prisoners are hanged in Mashhad prison”

Amordadgan Festival Raided; More Than 100 Arrested

HRANA News Agency – On Thursday, July 28, 2011, Iranian security forces raided a gathering sponsored by Baharestan Society in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, and arrested more than one hundred participants.Baharestan Society is a cultural group that had scheduled a gathering in observance of Amordadgan Festival, an ancient Persian celebration of life and immortality.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the majority of individuals detained have been released after the preliminary fingerprinting, interrogations and searches were conducted.However, six citizens still remain in custody, and their whereabouts and current condition are unknown.

Iranian intelligence agents have also searched the detainees’ homes and seized personal belongings.Despite repeated inquires and appeals, the families of detainees still don’t know where their loved ones are being kept.

Six individuals who are still in custody have been identified as Nataghinia (board secretary of Baharestan Society), Ashori (Tonbak player and organizer of music programs for the festival), Mohseni, Ramzani and his son, and Tavana.

 

Mass Arrests of “Hoodlums and Vagrants” in Mashhad

HRANA News Agency – Police forces in Mashhad, [Khorasan Province], have arrested 52 citizens under the pretence of being purse snatchers, professional thieves, hoodlums, vagrants and vendors selling goods in violation of Islamic culture.Additionally, some of these citizens have been detained for encroachment upon people’s honor or carrying non-firearm weapons.

This report contains a few pictures of these detainees as they are being degraded and humiliated in public.