Tag: Mostafa Nili

Health Defenders’ Sentences Upheld on Appeal

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Keykhosravi, Health Defenders, Mehdi Mahmoodian, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mostafa Nili, v

The Court of appeals of Tehran upheld the verdict against Mehdi Mahmoodian, Arash Keykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad-Reza Faghihi, and Maryam Afrafaraz. Previously, these individuals, whose case is known as “Health Defenders”, had been sentenced to over ten years combined and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Court of Appeals of Tehran upheld the verdict for the five defendants in the case known as “Health Defenders”.

The verdict was issued without a court hearing.

The sentences are issued as: :

  •       Mehdi Mahmoodian: four years in prison, banned from presence in media for two years,
  •       Mostafa Nili: four years in prison, banned from presence in media for two years, prohibited from practising law for two years,
  •       Arash Keykhosravi: two years in prison, banned from presence in media for one year, and prohibited from practising law for one year,
  •       Mohammad-Reza Faghihi: six months in prison,
  •       Maryam Afrafaraz: 95 days in prison.

Attorney Babak Paknia said that at a public court session, he was not allowed to attend the court even as a spectator.

The first three defendants were convicted on the charge of “creating anti-regime groups to disrupt national security and propaganda against the regime”. The two last were convicted of “membership in anti-regime groups.”

On August 14, 2021, during a meeting to make a decision on filing a lawsuit against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government for banning foreign vaccines, nine Iranian lawyers and civil rights activists were arrested.

“Health Defenders” Sentenced to Over Ten Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Keykhosravi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ehdi Mahmoodian, Health Defenders, Maryam Afrafaraz, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mostafa Nili

Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced the defendants of a legal case known as “Health Defenders”, Mehdi Mahmoodian, Arash Keykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad-Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz to a total of ten years and nine months in prison and other restrictions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Emtedad News, five lawyers and civil rights activists were sentenced to a total of more than ten years in prison.

According to Mahmoodian’s lawyer, Babak Paknia, the sentences against these individuals are as follows:

  •       Mahmoodian: four years in prison, banned from presence in media for two years
  •       Mostafa Nili: four years in prison, banned from presence in media for two years, prohibition of practicing law for two years.
  •       Arash Keykhosravi: two years, ban from presence in media for one year and prohibition of practicing law for one year.
  •       Mohammad-Reza Faghihi: six months in prison
  •       Maryam Afrafaraz: 95 days in prison.

Attorney Babak Paknia stated that at a public court session, he was not allowed to attend the court even as a spectator.

The first three defendants were convicted on the charge of “creating anti-regime groups to disrupt national security and propaganda against the regime”. The two last were convicted of “membership in anti-regime groups.”

On August 14, 2021, during a meeting to take a decision on filing a lawsuit against the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government for banning foreign vaccines, nine Iranian lawyers and civil rights activists were arrested. The defendants of this case were dubbed on social media as “Health defenders.”

Keyvan Samimi Arrested and Transferred to Semnan Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Iran Farda Magazine, Iranian Writers’ Associatio, Keyvan Samimi, Mostafa Nili, Semnan prison

On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Keyvan Samimi, the editor of Iran Farda Magazine and a member of the Iranian Writers’ Association, was arrested and sent to Semnan Prison after he went to the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the editor of Iran Farda Magazine Keyvan Samimi was arrested and transferred to Semnan Prison.

Mostafa Nili, Samimi’s lawyer, broke the news on social media: “Today, after office hours, Mr. Samini was called from the Judgement Enforcement Unit Moghaddas and ordered that he should appear there to receive the coroner report. However, upon appearing and receiving the coroner’s report, he was arrested and was transferred to Semnan Prison.”
This new order and arrest stand at odds with a previous order issued considering Samimi’s age and health conditions grounded on Article 533 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

On May 1, 2019, Samimi attended the workers’ protests on the anniversary of Labor Day before Iran’s Parliament. The protest turned violent due to the interference of security forces, leading to his arrest as well as dozens of other protestors. On May 12, 2019, security forces raided and searched the Iran Farda magazine office and confiscated documents and Samimi’s computer. On June 17, 2019, he was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

On April 20, 2020, in a trial in absentia, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Samimi to three years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. The verdict was upheld on appeal but was reduced to two years in a retrial.

Samimi previously served six years in prison in 2009 for questioning the outcome of the disputed 2009 presidential election, participating in the protests, and writing articles critical of the government.

Keyvan Samimi Released From Jail

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Exile, Iran Farda, Keyvan Samimi, Mostafa Nili

On February 1,  Keyvan Samimi was released from jail by a stay of execution order. According to his lawyer, Mostafa Nili, this release is temporary and issued considering forensic medicine’s report on Samimi’s health.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Samimi, the imprisoned editor of Iran Farda Magazine and a member of the Iranian Writers’ Association, was released from jail by order of the prosecutor.

According to Nili, the order to suspend his incarceration has been issued considering Samimi’s health and is grounded on Article 533 of the Criminal Procedure code.

Samimi was sent into exile in Semnan Prison after several relocations.

He has been serving his two year sentence since December 7, 2020.

On May 1, 2019, he attended the workers’ protests on the anniversary of Labour Day before Parliament. The protest turned violent due to the interference of security forces, leading to his arrest along with dozens of other protestors. On May 12, 2019, security forces raided and searched the Iran Farda magazine office and confiscated many documents, including his computer. On June 17, 2019, he finally was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

On April 20, 2020, in a trial in absentia, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to three years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. The verdict was upheld on appeal but was reduced to two years in the retrial.

Samimi has previously served six years in prison in 2009 for questioning the 2009 Presidential Election, participating in protests, and writing articles critical of the Islamic Regime. His two political activist brothers were executed, one by this regime and the other by the former regime.

Keyvan Samimi Sent into Exile in Semnan Prison after Successive Relocations

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Exile, Keyvan Samimi, Mostafa Nili

After several relocations between prisons in Tehran and Alborz provinces, Keyvan Samimi, the imprisoned editor of Iran Farda Magazine and a member of the Iranian Writers’ Association, was finally exiled to Semnan Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, by the order of the court, Keyvan Samimi was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison to Semnan Prison.

Initially, he was sent to Karaj Central Penitentiary Prison and thereafter to Rajai Shahr. However, since the Executive Unit of Karaj refused to accept him for reasons unkown, he was ultimately sent to Semnan Prison.

His lawyer, Mostafa Nili stated that during these relocations, Samimi was not allowed to bring his belongings, even medicines, which he needs urgently due to his health.

Samimi has been serving his two year sentence since December 7, 2020.

On May 1, 2019, he attended the workers’ protests on the anniversary of Labour Day before Parliament. The protest turned violent due to the interference of security forces, leading to his arrest along with dozens of other protestors. On May 12, 2019, security forces raided and searched the Iran Farda magazine office and confiscated many documents, including his computer. On June 17, 2019, he finally was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

On April 20, 2020, in a trial in absentia, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, sentenced him to three years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. The verdict was upheld on appeal but was reduced to two years in the retrial.

Samimi has previously served six years in prison in 2009 for questioning the 2009 Presidential Election, participating in protests, and writing articles critical of the Islamic Regime. His two political activist brothers were executed, one by this regime and the other by the former regime.

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Keyvan Samimi Sent to Rajai Shahr Prison after Successive Relocations

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Iran Farda, Keyvan Samimi, Mostafa Nili

Keyvan Samimi, editor of Iran Farda Magazine and a member of the Iranian Writers’ Association was transferred to the quarantine zone of Rajai Shahr prison. Earlier, he had been relocated from Evin Prison to Karaj Central Penitentiary Prison. Last Wednesday, he was sent back to Evin Prison and the day after had to move out again.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Samimi’s lawyer, Mostafa Nili stated Thursday on his personal social media that “A few hours ago, Mr. Samimi called and informed [me] that on Tuesday, after the executive unit of Karaj refused to accept him to one of the prisons in Alborz Province, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison and currently is being held in the quarantine zone.”

As mentioned by his lawyer, the reason for these successive relocations is that the Executive Unit of Karaj countermanded the orders of the Executive Unit Moghaddas and Branch 54 of the Revolutionary Court for the relocation of Samimi to Karaj Central Penitentiary Prison.

Samimi has been serving his two year sentence since December 7, 2020.

On May 1, 2019, he attended the workers’ protests on the anniversary of Labour Day before Parliament. The protest turned violent due to the interference of security forces, leading to his arrest along with dozens of other protestors. On May 12, 2019, security forces raided and searched the Iran Farda magazine office and confiscated many documents, including his computer. On June 17, 2019, he finally was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

On April 20, 2020, in a trial in absentia, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, sentenced him to three years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. The verdict was upheld on appeal but was reduced to two years in the retrial.

Samimi has previously served six years in prison in 2009 for questioning the 2009 Presidential Election, participating in protests, and writing articles critical of the Islamic Regime. His two political activist brothers were executed, one by this regime and the other by the former regime.

Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi and Mehdi Mahmoudian Transferred to General Ward of Evin Prison on 31st Day of Detention

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Environment, Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
arash kaykhosravi, Citizen detentions, Citizens arrested, Evin, Evn Prison, Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Leila Heydari, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mostafa Nili, Ward 241 of Evin Prison

On Wednesday, September 15, lawyers Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, and Mehdi Mahmoudian were transferred from solitary confinement in Ward 241 of Evin Prison to the general ward of the prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, these citizens announced their transfer to the public ward of Evin Prison during a telephone call with their families.

Despite the issuance of indictment and designation of a court branch, the detainees were still kept in solitary confinement in Ward 241 of Evin Prison under the supervision of the intelligence service section of the judiciary for an entire month. Mostafa Nili has only been allowed to make phone calls twice since his arrest.

On August 14, several lawyers and civil activists, including Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Maryam Afrafraz, and Leila Heydari, were arrested during a meeting at the office of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights in Tehran.

Leila Heydari and Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb were released on bail a day after their arrest, and Mohammad Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz were released on bail on August 29, but Nili, Kaykhrosravi, and Mahmoudian had remained in detention.

Apart from being allowed to contact their families on the first day of their detention, these citizens have been largely denied the right to make telephone calls.

Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi and Mehdi Mahmoudian Still in Detention in Evin Prison

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News
arash kaykhosravi, Citizens detained, Evin, Evin Prison, Leila Heydari, Maryam Afrafaraz, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mostafa Nili, Tehran

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, lawyers and civil activists Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, and Mehdi Mahmoudian are still in detention weeks after their arrest.

The citizens are being held in Ward 241 of Evin Prison under the supervision of the intelligence service of Judiciary.

On August 14, several lawyers and civil activists, including Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Maryam Afrafraz, and Leila Heydari, were arrested during a meeting at the office of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights in Tehran.

Leila Heydari and Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb were released on bail a day after their arrest, and Mohammad Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz were released on bail on August 29, but Nili, Kaykhrosravi, and Mahmoudian remain in detention.

These lawyers and civil activists have been accused of “running an illegal organization” under Article 498 of the Islamic Penal Code. Apart from being allowed to contact their families on the first day of their detention, these citizens have been largely denied the right to make telephone calls.

“They Arrest first, Then Look for a Reason”: Security Forces Search Homes of Detained Lawyers and Civil Activists Raising Concerns of Fabricated Evidence

"Eleven security officers who raided Arash Kaykhosravi's father's house today closed his room’s door for a few minutes and did not allow family members to enter. This is the prelude to 'gathering evidence' through embedding the evidence in the room. They arrest first, then look for a reason."
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News
arash kaykhosravi, Civil activists, Evin, Evin Prison, Leila Heidari, Maryam Afrafaraz, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mostafa Nili, Saeid Dahghan, Tehran

In recent days, a number of civil activists and lawyers have been arrested under dubious pretenses, many of whom are still in detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, some of the arrested have had their homes searched by security forces, raising concerns of fabricated evidence.

On Saturday, August 14 Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, Leila Heidari, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Maryam Afrafaraz were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location. Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb and Leila Heydari were released hours after their arrest, but the others remain in detention.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 25, security forces searched the home of lawyer Mostafa Nili and the home of Arash Kaykhosravi’s father.

Saeid Dehghan, Mr. Kaykhosravi’s lawyer, wrote on his social media page, “Eleven security officers who raided Arash Kaykhosravi’s father’s house today closed his room’s door for a few minutes and did not allow family members to enter. This is the prelude to ‘gathering evidence’ through embedding the evidence in the room. They arrest first, then look for a reason. They took the CCTV camera with them so that there is no evidence of their attack.”

On the same day, the house of Mohammad Reza Faghihi was searched by security forces. Earlier, Mr. Nili’s lawyer, Zahra Minouei, expressed that she does not have access to her client’s case.

“Because I am not a trusted lawyer accepted by the judiciary in security cases, they have not allowed accessing my client’s case,” Minouei said. “After the release of the videos related to Evin Prison [by hackers], the mental condition of my client’s family is not good and their concerns have been greatly increased.”

Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, and Leila Heidari are lawyers, Mehdi Mahmoudian is a journalist and member of the Central Council of the Etihad Mellat party, and Maryam Afrafaraz is a civil activist and a member of the Imam Ali Charity Association.

Regarding the reason behind these arrests, an informed source earlier said that the lawyers and activists were talking in a meeting about the negligence of the officials and its contribution to the spread coronavirus, and expressed possible complaints against some officials. But they had not reached a complete conclusion and were arrested.

Five Lawyers and 2 Activists Arrested by Security Forces in Tehran

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arash kaykhosravi, Citizen arrests, Citizens arrested, Citizens detained, Leila Heidari, Maryam Afrafaraz, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mostafa Nili, Tehran

On Saturday, August 14 Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, and Leila Heidari, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Maryam Afrafaraz were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, The citizens’ personal belongings were confiscated at the time of arrest by security forces.

Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, and Leila Heidari are lawyers, Mehdi Mahmoudian is a journalist and member of the Central Council of the Etihad Mellat party, and Maryam Afrafaraz is a civil activist and a member of the Imam Ali Charity Association.

Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb and Leila Heydari were released hours after their arrest. Five others are still in detention.

The reasons behind the citizens’ arrests and their whereabouts are not known as of this writing, and the number of detainees is likely to be higher.