Tag: Mashhad

Hassan Bagherinia, Ex-Faculty of Hakim Sabzevari University, Detained

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hassan Bagherinia, Mashhad, حسن باقری نیا

On June 2, 2024, Hassan Bagherinia, a former faculty member at Hakim Sabzevari University, was detained after visiting the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s offices in Mashhad and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

Following his detention, security personnel conducted a search of Bagherinia’s home, during which they seized various personal items belonging to him and his family.

Details regarding the reasons for Bagherinia’s arrest, his current location, and any specific charges have not been disclosed. Bagherinia has previously faced legal challenges related to his activism.

Ali Aghel Begins Four-Year Sentence on Political Charges

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News, Prisoners
Ali Aghel, Ali-Asghar Aghel Moghaddam, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, علی عاقل

Ali-Asghar Aghel Moghaddam, a resident of Mashhad, was transferred to Vakilabad Prison on May 9, 2024, to commence a four-year prison term.

Aghel was initially arrested on October 23, 2023, following his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Mashhad. He was detained at Vakilabad Prison but was released on bail six days later, pending further legal proceedings.

The Revolutionary Courts subsequently convicted Aghel for “membership in anti-regime groups,” resulting in a four-year sentence, and for “propaganda against the regime,” which carried a one-year sentence. The combined verdict was upheld on appeal.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that the harshest sentence is enforced in cases involving multiple charges, Aghel is required to serve a four-year term.

Four Afghan Nationals Executed in Mashhad for Drug Convictions

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Executions, News
Ebrahim Nour-Zahi, Gholam Ghader Samani, Mashhad, Salam Taheri, Vakilabad prison, Zaman Taheri

On April 18, 2024, four Afghan nationals were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad for drug-related offenses, according to Haal Vsh.

The individuals, identified as Zaman Taheri, Salam Taheri, Gholam Ghader Samani, and Ebrahim Nour-Zahi, were sentenced to death four years ago.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Five Executed for Drug Offenses in Mashhad

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

In a recent development, five individuals convicted of drug-related offenses faced execution in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, on April 15, 2024, according to Haal Vsh.

The identities of the executed individuals were withheld from the report. However, it was noted that four of them hailed from Mashhad, while one was identified as an Afghan national.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Hasti Tale-Talab Detained Without Clarity in Vakilabad Prison

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News, Prisoners
Hasti Tale-Talab, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, هستی طالع طلب

Hasti Tale-Talab, a resident of Mashhad, has been detained in Vakilabad Prison for over three weeks without a clear legal status.

According to a source close to Tale-Talab’s family who spoke to HRANA, she has been held in Vakilabad prison for 25 days. Her family has been kept uninformed about her legal case.

On March 17, 2024, Tale-Talab was summoned by the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and detained during her appearance.

Reports obtained by HRANA indicate that Tale-Talab is facing multiple charges, including “provoking impurity and indecency,” and “propaganda against the regime.”

In October-November 2023, the Ministry of Intelligence raided Tale-Talab’s residence, conducted a search, and confiscated some of her belongings.

Tale-Talab, aged 51, is a mother of four.

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Update on Political Prisoner Shirin Beyraghdar’s Legal Status in Vakilabad Prison

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News, Prisoners
Mashhad, revolutionary court, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison, شیرین بیرق دار

Shirin Beyraghdar is presently serving her term at Vakilabad Prison.

Initially apprehended by security forces at her shop in Mashhad in June-July 2022, Beyraghdar spent approximately six months in detention before being released on bail amounting to one billion tomans (roughly 20,000 dollars).

Following her release, the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad convicted her on charges including “forming groups to act against national security,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she received a sentence of four years and six months for the primary charge.

In June-July 2023, Beyraghdar commenced serving her sentence at Vakilabad Prison.

Extension of Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri’s Detention Continues Legal Limbo

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asghar Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri, Mashhad, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Vakilabad prison

Political detainee Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri’s confinement in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, has surpassed 168 days, with his uncertain legal status persisting. Recently, authorities prolonged his detention for an additional month.

Asghar Sepehri confirmed to HRANA the extension of his brother’s detainment by the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Mashhad.

Sepehri was apprehended by security forces in Mashhad on September 28, 2023, facing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, on January 20, 2024, his employment was terminated by the Ministry of Education.

Notably, Sepehri’s sister, Fatemeh Sepehri, also languishes as a political detainee in the same prison.

Update on Abdolbaset Avarsan’s Situation in Vakilabad Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abdolbaset Avarsan, HRANA, Mashhad, Torbat-e-Jam, Vakilabad prison

Sunni prisoner Abdolbaset Avarsan is currently serving a 15-year prison term in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad. Recent developments reveal that his request for release on probation has been rejected by judicial authorities, with sources citing influence from the Ministry of Intelligence.

A close family source, speaking to HRANA, confirmed that the judge, under the Ministry of Intelligence’s influence, dismissed Avarsan’s release request. Hailing from Torbat-e-Jam and a father of three, Avarsan’s family faces financial struggles. Despite holding a Master’s degree, his wife’s job application with the Ministry of Education was rejected during the interview due to her husband’s legal case, further complicating the family’s situation.

In 2019, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Avarsan to 15 years in prison for his alleged involvement in “armed rebellion (Baghi) through membership in a Salafi-ISIS group.”

Ramin Haeri Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mashhad, Ramin Haeri

Security forces apprehended Ramin Haeri in Mashhad and subsequently transported him to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility within the city.

A source close to Haeri’s family has confirmed his arrest, stating that Ministry of Intelligence agents detained him at his residence in Mashhad on February 28, 2024. The reasons behind this arrest and the specific allegations against Haeri remain undisclosed. However, there is speculation that this apprehension may be linked to a recent social media post where he expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the country.

The incident raises concerns about the freedom of expression and the right to voice one’s opinions in the face of potential consequences.

Appeals Court Upholds One-Year Sentence for Amir Sheibani Zaveh Linked to 2022 Nationwide Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Sheibani Zaveh, Hadi Mansouri, HRANA, Mashhad

The Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province has upheld the one-year sentence against Amir Sheibani Zaveh, citing his involvement in the 2022 nationwide protests.

The initial verdict, issued by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, found Sheibani Zaveh guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the one-year imprisonment, he faces a two-year travel ban and two years of restrictions on Internet and social media use.

A source close to Sheibani Zaveh’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the charge was based on his communication with the families of protestors injured or killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

Sheibani Zaveh was apprehended by security forces in Mashhad in late October 2022 and remained in detention for a period. In January 2023, he received a sentence of eight years and six months, which was later nullified following his inclusion in the “general pardon and commutation” directive.

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.