Tag: Mazandaran

A Prisoner Executed in Sari Prison

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Executions, News
Habib Shojaei, Mazandaran, Sari Prison

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Sari Prison, Mazandaran Province, as reported by Iran Human Rights Organization.

The identity of this prisoner has been reported as “Habib Shojaei, approximately forty years old.”
The report states: This prisoner was arrested about three years ago on charges of murder and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.

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.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Crackdown on Dissent Following Kerman Blasts: Dozens Arrested and Prosecuted

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kerman, Mazandaran, Qasem Soleimani, Sadegh Zibakalam, South Khorasan province

In the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Kerman during Qasem Soleimani’s commemoration ceremony, claiming numerous lives and causing injuries, security forces and affiliated individuals on social media have actively sought to identify and apprehend those expressing opinions about the incident. As a result, dozens of individuals have been summoned, arrested, and had their social media pages removed, with an estimated 76 people detained in connection to these events.

According to 32 reports from social media channels associated with Iran’s security institutions, at least 76 arrests have been made, 108 individuals have been summoned to security/judicial institutions, 537 social media pages were taken down, and two businesses in Mazandaran and South Khorasan Province were closed.

In an attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent, these security-affiliated channels have doxed 28 citizens, leading to their subsequent arrests and prosecutions. Furthermore, one security-affiliated channel has released a video featuring the coerced confession of a citizen, although the location and circumstances of the recording remain unclear. In the video, the detainee expresses regret for his opinions, attributing his actions to the influence of social media.

The regime’s approach has sparked concerns about potential violations of citizens’ privacy rights. Additionally, the Tehran prosecutor has announced legal action against Sadegh Zibakalam, an author and political pundit, and seven others for their statements regarding the recent blasts in Kerman. Furthermore, several students have faced disciplinary measures from universities due to their opinions on the incident.

Appeals Court Upholds Six-Month Sentence for Writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie, Iranian Writer, Mazandaran, ارسلان رسولی عمارلویی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has affirmed the six-month sentence imposed on writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie.

This decision follows his initial conviction by the Tonekabon Revolutionary Court for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Rasouli Amarlooie’s charge is said to be linked to the republication of an article authored by a former managing editor of Kayhan on the internet.

Known for his literary contributions, Rasouli Amarlooie has authored several books, including “Uprising,” “The 1979 Fall,” “Return from Resurrection,” “Sargalesh Hymn,” and “School Teacher.”

Mahsa Yazdani’s 13-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, Mahsa Yazdani, Mazandaran, Meysam Mousavi, Mohammad Javad Zahedi, محمدجواد یزدانی, مهسا یزدانی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has confirmed a 13-year sentence against Mahsa Yazdani, whose son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the nationwide protests in 2022 at the hands of regime forces.

Yazdani’s lawyer, Meysam Mousavi, publicly announced the affirmation of this verdict by the Mazandaran Court of Appeals on Sunday, November 19.

Initially, the Sari Revolutionary Court imposed a five-year term on Yazdani for “blasphemy,” an additional five years for “incitement against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an extra year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a total of 13 years, with five years to be enforced.

On August 22, 2023, Yazdani was apprehended by security forces in Sari. After spending 45 days in detention, she was granted release on bail.

Her son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the protests on September 22, 2022.

Fourteen Baha’i Citizens Receive Sentences and Fines in Mazandaran

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News, Religious Minorities
Afnaneh Nematian, Anis Senaei, Basir Samimi, Bita Haghighi, Golin Falah, Hengameh Alipour, HRANA, Mahsa Fathi, Majir Samimi, Mani Ghoi-Nejad, Mazandaran, Nazanin Goli, Negar Darabi, Qaem Shahr, Sam Samimi, Samieh Gholi-Nejad, Sanaz Hekmat Shoar

The Mazandaran Court of Appeal has handed down sentences and fines to 14 Baha’i citizens.

On November 2, verdicts were delivered, with Bita Haghighi and Sanaz Hekmat Shoar sentenced to three years in prison and a 30-million-toman fine (approximately 600 dollars). Mani Ghoi-Nejad, Negar Darabi, Sam Samimi, Mahsa Fathi, Samieh Gholi-Nejad, Majir Samimi, Anis Senaei, Afnaneh Nematian, Basir Samimi, Hengameh Alipour, Golin Falah, and Nazanin Goli were sentenced a fifty-million-toman fine (approximately 1000 dollars) in exchange for the initial sentence of two years and one month.

A source has informed HRANA that the individuals were verbally notified of these verdicts, seemingly in an attempt to prevent them from appealing. Their legal representation has also been denied access to the case documents. Additionally, they have been given ten days to pay the imposed fines.

These citizens had previously received a cumulative sentence of 31 years and were fined by the Qaem Shahr Revolutionary Court. Furthermore, all of their assets were seized.

The individuals were arrested by security forces in Sari and Babolsar, both located in Mazandaran Province, on August 31, 2022. They were subsequently released on bail in the months following their arrest.

At the time of their apprehension, the Ministry of Intelligence released a statement, accusing these citizens of being members of an espionage organization and claiming that two of them had received training from individuals in Israel.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mazandaran, Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, Sari

The Court of Appeal in Mazandaran Province has confirmed the initial six-year prison sentence and travel ban imposed on Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey, a resident of Sari.

Initially, Moradi Kia-pay was sentenced to five years for “inciting actions against national security through activities on social media” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.”

Among the items seized were technical and telecommunications equipment, as well as SIM cards. Additionally, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without restrictions.

On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. Subsequently, he was detained in a facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.

Moradi Kia-Pey had a prior encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted amnesty through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after approximately 30 days of confinement.

Security Forces Detain Four Family Members of Deceased Protester Hananeh Kia

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Kia, Hanane Kia, Hananeh Kia, Helia Kia, Mahsa Amini, Masoumeh Azari, Mazandaran, Nowshahr, Vahid Kia

Masoumeh Azari, Helia, Vahid, and Amir Kia Kojuri – four family members of Hananeh Kia, who was killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022 – have been apprehended at their residence and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

A source, with close ties to the Kia family, disclosed to HRANA that on the evening of Sunday, August 27, Vahid, Helia, and Amir Kia, all siblings of Hananeh, as well as their mother Masoumeh Azari, were arrested at their residence in Nowshahr, Mazandaran province.

The specific grounds for these detentions and the whereabouts of their confinement remain undisclosed at this time.

Hananeh Kia, a 22-year-old, was shot dead by security forces on September 21, 2022, during protests in Nowshahr.

As the approaching anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests, commonly referred to as the Mahsa Amini Protests looms, families of the victims are grappling with heightened pressures stemming from security and judicial entities. For more details, please refer to HRANA’s report on the arrest of some family members.

Fourteen Bahai Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 31 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Afnaneh Nematian, Anis Senaei, Baha'i citizens, Basir Samimi, Bita Haghighi, Ghaemshahr, Gulben Fallah, Hengameh Alipour, Mahsa Fathi, Majir Samimi, Mani Gholinejad, Mazandaran, Nazanin Goli, Negar Darabi, Sam Samimi, Samieh Gholinejad, Sanaz Hekmat Shoar

In a concerning development, the Ghaemshahr Revolutionary Court has handed down a collective prison sentence of 31 years to 14 Bahai citizens.

The individuals affected by this ruling are Mani Gholinejad, Bita Haghighi, Sanaz Hekmat Shoar, Negar Darabi, Sam Samimi, Mahsa Fathi, Samieh Gholinejad, Majir Samimi, Anis Senaei, Afnaneh Nematian, Basir Samimi, Hengameh Alipour, Gulben Fallah, and Nazanin Goli.
Bita Haghighi and Sanaz Hekmat Shoar have received three years and paying a fine. The rest have been sentenced to two years and one month. All their confiscated belongings during the arrest have also been seized.

The charges against these Bahai individuals revolve around allegations of engaging in “educational activities and propaganda at variance and against Islamic Sharia law.”

Security forces arrested these individuals in Sari and Babolsar, located in the Mazandaran Province, on August 31, 2022. Subsequently, they were released on bail in the months following their arrest.

During the time of their apprehension, the Ministry of Intelligence issued a statement accusing these citizens of being members of an espionage organization, further claiming that two among them had received training from Zionists in Israel.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Multiple Executions Carried Out in Yasuj, Shiraz, Karaj

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Executions, News
Abbasali Soleimani, Alireza Shahcheragh, Karaj, Mazandaran, Milad Ghobadi, Modara, Shiraz, Taher Nouri, Yasuj

Four inmates, convicted of drug-related crimes and murder, were executed in Yasuj, Shiraz and Karaj. Also, according to Modara, an individual was sentenced to death by the criminal court of Mazandaran accused of killing the parliament member, Abbasali Soleimani.

According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, on June 11, two inmates, Alireza Shahcheragh and Taher Nouri (aged 38), were executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. Nouri had been sentenced to death three years prior.
Furthermore, on June 14, Milad Ghobadi, an inmate held at Yasuj Prison, was executed.
In another incident reported by Javan Online on June 13, an unidentified inmate was executed at Rajai Shahr Prison. The individual had been charged with the murder of his wife three years ago.

Iran Protests: Yasin Moghadam Still in Detention for Over Four Months

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News
iran protests, Mazandaran, Sari, the 2022 Nationwide Protests, Tirkala Prison, Yasin Moghadam

Yasin Moghadam, arrested at the 2022 nationwide protests, is still detained for over four months in Sari Prison with an unclear status of due process.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Yasin Moghadam has been detained for over four months in Sari Prison, Mazandaran Province.

An informed source told HRANA, “Moghadam is held in a ward of prisoners of violent crimes in Tirkala Prison, Sari, for 133 days, with an unclear status of due process.”

On November 29, 2022, 20-year-old Moghadam was arrested by security forces. After 26 days, he was transferred from a detention facility to Sari 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.