Iran Protests: Ayoub Aghaliani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

The Oshnavieh Criminal Court sentenced Ayoub Aghaliani to ten and a half years and 70 lashes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurpda, Ayoub Aghaliani was sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

Aghaliani received four years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and 70 lashes for “breaching public order and peace,” one and a half years for “destruction of public property,” and four years for “participating in setting fire to public properties.” Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, four years in prison for one charge is enforceable.

Additionally, last month, he received one year and five months from the Urmia Criminal Court for “destruction of public properties and breach of public order and peace.”

Aghaliani, age 22, was arrested by security forces on October 7, 2022, and jailed in Urmia Prison. During detention, he reportedly had family visitation only once and the court granted him a high bail of 1.3 billion Tomans.

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.

 

Farhad and Farzad Tahazadeh Indicted for “Enmity against God” and “Spreading Corruption on Earth”

Brothers Farhad and Farzad Tahazadeh, arrested at recent nationwide protests, were indicted for “enmity against God (Moharebeh) ” and “spreading corruption on earth.” The case was delivered to the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

An informed source close to their family told HRANA that “a while ago, the Urmia Revolutionary and public prosecution office briefed Tahazadeh brothers about the charges of Moharebeh and spreading corruption on earth. After the indictment, the case was handed over to branch three of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.”

“Their lawyers, Masoud Shams-Nejad and Saleh Nikbakht, did not have any access to their client’s case until a few days ago,” the source added.

Tahazadeh brothers were arrested amid nationwide protests in Oshnavieh and jailed in Urmia Prison. It is still unknown which acts have been invoked as examples of these charges.

The charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) ” and “spreading corruption on earth” can result in severe punishment, even the death penalty.

 

Iran Protests: Hemin Shahi Indicted for Enmity Against God and Spreading Corruption on Earth

Hemin Shahi arrested at nationwide protests was indicted for two charges of “enmity against God” and “spreading corruption on earth”. The case has been delivered to the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Hemin (Karwan) Shahi was indicted for “Enmity Against God” and “Spreading Corruption on Earth”, which can result in severe punishments, even the death penalty.

An informed source told HRANA that, as of yet, Shahi’s lawyer, Masoud Shams-Nejad has not had any access to the documents of his case.
His other lawyer, Othman Mozayan, has not been able to visit his client and undertake the case due to the judicial authorities’ interference.

In late October 2022, Shahi was arrested amid nationwide protests in Oshnavieh and taken to Urmia Prison. It is still unknown which acts have been invoked as examples of these charges.

Iran Protests: Six People Sentenced to a Combined over 18 Years for Protest in Oshnavieh

The Oshnavieh Criminal Court sentenced Farhad Kazemi, Khaled Dashti, Ehsan Safai-Far, Mohammad Peyghami, Abdorrahim Rahimi and Fardin Khosh-Khahesh to a combined 18 years and six months in prison. These individuals were arrested during recent protests and then released on bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, six residents of Oshnavieh were sentenced to a total of 18 years and six months in prison.

According to these verdicts, Abdorrahim Rahimi and Fardin Khosh-Khahesh received five years and three months for “disturbing public order, defying government agents, and destruction of public property through participating in protests.” Farhad Kazemi, Khaled Dashti, Ehsan Safai-Far and Mohammad Peyghami each received two years for “disturbing public order and defying government agents.”

These individuals were previously arrested by security forces and released later on bail after the interrogation.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, about 18400, including journalists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read the latest HRANAs comprehensive report here.

Five Years Prison Sentence of Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour Upheld by Court of Appeals

Recently, the Court of Appeal of West Azerbaijan Province upheld the verdict against Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour. Earlier, Hamzepour had been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Center of Democracy and Human Rights in Kurdistan, the five years sentence against Mohammad-Khaled Hamzehpour, a resident of Oshnavieh, was upheld on appeal.

Hamzehpour and four others had been charged with “membership in an anti-regime group.”

On December 14, 2020, security forces arrested Hamzehpour and took him to a detention facility in Urmia. On December 24 of that year, he was released on bail.

During detention, these individuals were denied access to a lawyer and family visits. 

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Aziz Ghadertaj Imprisoned in Oshnavieh Prison

On Thursday, May 26, 2022, Aziz Ghadertaj, a teacher and resident of Oshnavieh County, was imprisoned in Oshnavieh Prison for sentencing.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Thursday, May 26, 2022, Aziz Ghadertaj was imprisoned in Oshnavieh Prison to serve a three-year sentence. 

On March 27, 2022, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh notified Ghadetaj and four other residents of Oshnavieh about their convictions. According to this verdict, he was sentenced to three years on the charge of “membership in an anti-regime group.”

The trial of these five individuals was held last year.

On January 31, 2021, security forces arrested and transferred Ghadetaj to Urmia Prison. On March 3, 2021, after completing interrogation, he was relocated to Oshnavieh and the day after was released on bail.

During detention,  Ghadertaj has been denied access to a lawyer and family visitation.

Mohammad Seddiq Azizi Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Prison

Branch 1 of the Military Court of West Azerbaijan Province has sentenced Mohammad Seddiq Azizi to two and a half years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News, Seddiq Azizi, a resident of Oshnavieh County, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

According to this verdict issued on April 19, 2022, Mr. Azizi has been convicted of “collaboration with an anti-regime political party.”

On February 9, 2022, while he was serving in the army as a conscript, the Army Intelligence agents arrested and transferred him to a detention facility in Oshnavaieh County and from there to the prison of this city. He was taken several times back and forth between the prison and the detention center. He was denied access to a phone call and family visitation during the detention.

 Azizi’s father, Loghman Azizi had also been arrested on June 21, 2021. In mid-July, he was released on bail.

Six Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Oshnavieh

Last Sunday, April 10, 2022, security forces arrested six people in Oshaniveh County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Krudpa News Outlet, six people were arrested by security forces in Oshnavieh County.

The report identifies the arrestees as Reza Eslmadoost, Saman Saroulzadeh, Diako Khalili, Ashkan Shakkak, Sanaan Rasoulzadeh and Sina Aghazadeh, all residents of Nalous City located in Oshaniveh County in West Azerbaijan Province.

Reportedly, the security forces raided these individuals’ houses without showing an arrest warrant. They transferred them to a detention center in Urmia City. Later, Sina Aghazadeh was released on bail after a few hours of interrogation.

On March 30, 2022, the above-mentioned individuals were summoned and interrogated by the Ministry of Intelligence for participating in a gathering for the celebration of Nowruz. 

Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

Following a series of convictions against some residents of Oshnavieh County in West Azerbaijan Province, the Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh sentenced Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi, the resident of Oshnavieh County, to six months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News Outlet, Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi, the resident of  Oshnavieh was sentenced to six months on the charge of “collaboration with an anti-regime party”.

On January 30, 2021, security forces arrested Mr Sheikh Mohammadi and transferred him to a detention centre in Urmia. On March 10, 2021, he was relocated from there to Urmia Prison. Three days later, he was released on bail until the end of the legal proceeding.

Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi Sentenced to Imprisonment

Following mass convictions against some residents of Oshnavieh County in West Azerbaijan Province, Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of this County sentenced Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi to a total of 6 years imprisonment. These individuals had been arrested in late August of 2021 and subsequently were released on bail. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News Outlet, Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi were sentenced respectively to four and two years imprisonment on the charge of “collaboration with an anti-regime party”. This verdict was issued last Tuesday, April 5.

On August 29, 2021, security forces arrested and detained them in a detention center in Urmia. At the time of arrest, the agents searched their houses and confiscated some of their belongings including their phones. In October of last year, they were released on bail.