Mohammadreza Morad Behroozi and Soori Babai Chegini Receive Combined Two-Year Sentence

Soori Babai Chegini and Mohammadreza Morad Behroozi have been sentenced to a combined two years in prison by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court. Currently, Behroozi is already serving a one-year sentence for a previous legal case in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin.

As per the verdict, each individual has been given a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime,” which includes the detention period.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, the couple was not granted amnesty in accordance with the “pardon and commutation” directive. Additionally, judicial and prison officials have denied Behroozi’s request for prison leave.

Behroozi was arrested in August 2021 by security forces at his residence in Qazvin. He was subsequently released on bail pending the completion of legal proceedings.

Later, Behroozi received a one-year sentence for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and was fined 10 million tomans for “spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion.”

On July 15, 2022, Behroozi was jailed in Choobindar prison to commence serving his sentence.

On July 15, 2022, Behroozi began serving his sentence in Choobindar Prison. In March 2023, while still in prison, the Criminal Court of Mohammadiyeh County sentenced him to an additional ten months for “spreading falsehood” and eight months and ten days for “provoking people to act against public modesty.” He was also banned from leaving the country for two years.

Considering that he has been tried twice by both Criminal and Revolutionary Courts for the same offense, Behroozi’s lawyer has requested the merging of the sentences.

Babai Chegini was arrested on July 13, 2022, and released on bail after approximately six months. However, she was re-arrested one day after her release when she went to the Justice building in Mohammadiyeh to retrieve her children’s confiscated cell phone.

Subsequently, Chegini was sentenced to one month for “demonstrating a Haram act,” six months for “provoking people to act against public modesty,” and an additional three months for “public appearance without Hijab.” She was also banned from leaving the country for two years.

On May 25, 2023, Chegini began serving her six-month sentence in Choobindar Prison. However, she was released on bail five days later after accounting for the detention period.

 

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Abolhassani Brutally Assaulted by Prison Guards

On June 12, 2023, Mohammad Abolhassani, a civil rights activist, was subjected to a violent attack by prison guards at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin Province. The assault occurred after Abolhassani voiced his concerns about the deplorable conditions within the prison.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that Abolhassani was confronted by a prison officer, leading to a physical altercation involving the deputy head of the prison and two other guards. The incident resulted in Abolhassani losing consciousness, after which he was taken to the prison infirmary. He later regained consciousness.

Presently serving his sentence at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin, Abolhassani is housed among inmates convicted of violent crimes, contrary to prison regulations. Moreover, he has been subjected to limitations when making phone calls, including the mandatory presence of prison guards during these conversations.

In January 2021, Abolhassani while serving his sentence for a previous legal case, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison term, he was assigned four hours of penal labor per day for four months. This ruling was subsequently upheld on appeal.

On January 1, 2022, Abolhassani was transferred to Evin Prison to commence his sentence.
In October 2022, he found himself facing further legal actions, resulting in an additional four-year imprisonment term.
On February 6, 2023, he was violently relocated from Evin Prison to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

Two Inmates Executed in Zahedan and Qazvin

On June 8, 2023, Alidoost Sumalani, 45, was executed in Zahedan Prison, according to Rasank news. He had been convicted of murder two years ago.

In Choobindar Prison, Qazvin, an inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed, as reported by Hamshahri Online.

Additionally, on the same day, three death-row prisoners, including a woman convicted of drug-related crimes, were transferred to solitary confinement, indicating the impending implementation of the death penalty. HRANA is currently working on identifying these inmates.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

Javad Heidari’s Parents and Brother Arrested

On April 5, 2023, Javad Heidari’s parents and his brother, Mohammad Heidari, were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Javad Heidari was killed by regime forces amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 5, 2023, security forces arrested three family members of the killed protestor Javad Heidari.

His sister, Fatemeh Heidari informed the public, “They handcuffed my parents and brother, Mohammad, and arrested them. They told my parents that they should change Javad’s gravestone if they want to be released.”
Earlier, on April 3, security forces also arrested Ruhollah Heidari, Javad Heidari’s other brother.

Their detained location and the allegation against them are unknown so far.

On September 22, 2022, his brother, Javad Heidari, age 36, was shot dead at protests in Qazvin.

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.

Ruhollah Heidari Arrested

On April 3, security forces arrested Ruhollah Heidari and took him to an undisclosed location. His brother, Javad Heidari, was killed by regime forces amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 3, 2023, Ruhollah Heidari was arrested.

His sister, Fatemeh Heidari informed the public, “After the arrest of my three brothers and firing me from my job, today, they arrested my other brother, Ruhollah Heidari, without giving any reason. My family’s inquiries have remained unanswered so far.”
Heidari’s detained location and the allegation against him are also unknown.

On September 22, 2022, his brother, Javad Heidari, age 36, was shot dead at protests in Qazvin.

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.

 

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Iran Protests: Ali Bahrampour Sentenced to over Eight Years

The Revolutionary and Criminal Courts of Qazvin sentenced Ali Bahrampour, a resident of Tehran, to eight years and four months in prison. The court also banned him from leaving the country for two years and ordered the seizure of his cell phone.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, writer and translator Ali Bahrampour was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison and additional punishments.

Bahrampour received five years for “inciting people to commit murder and wage war against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” For the second part of his legal case, the Criminal Court sentenced him to four months for “spreading falsehood.”

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison for the first count, as the severest punishment, will be enforceable.
On November 3, 2022, Bahrampour was arrested amid nationwide protests. He was released on bail after 78 days of detention.

Since the beginning of nationwide protests, over 19620 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. So far, over protests, at least 775 people have been sentenced to a total of about 13969 months imprisonment.

 

Musician Masoumeh Banagar Arrested in Qazvin

On January 30, 2023, Masoumeh Banagar was summoned to the Judiciary of Qazvin and arrested after an appearance. Banagar is a musician and children’s music teacher.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 30, 2023, music teacher Masoumeh Banagar was arrested in Qazvin.

Banagar was arrested and jailed for attending the commemoration ceremony for Javad Heydari, who was killed by regime forces at protests.

An informed source told HRANA that “the first time, on November 13, 2022, intelligence agents arrested her at her house without showing any arrest warrant and took her to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin. She was accused of publishing a few social media stories. Once again, on December 25, she was summoned, arrested, and jailed after an appearance. After ten days, she was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.”

Since the beginning of nationwide protests, over 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. So far, over protests, at least 769 people have been sentenced to a total of about 13721 months imprisonment.

 

 

Iran Protests: 93 People Arrested at Protests Receive Prison Sentences in Qazvin

The Chief Justice of Qazvin Province announced that this province’s Revolutionary Court and Criminal Court have recently sentenced 93 people arrested at recent protests to jail terms.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ISNA, 93 people were convicted for participating in protests.

According to this judicial official, these individuals are convicted of charges of ‘assembly and collusion against national security, ‘propaganda against the regime on the Internet,’ ‘inciting people for insurrection and murder,’ ‘advocating for anti-regime groups and organizations,’ ‘spreading falsehood on the Internet,’ and ‘disturbing the public order.’

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, about 18600 people, including journalists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

Six Inmates Executed in Rajai-Shahr and Qazvin Prisons

Five inmates in Rajai-Shahr Prison and one in Qazvin Prison were executed.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on December 14, 2022, Rajai-Shahr Prison officials executed five inmates convicted of murder.

HRANA is working on identifying these individuals.

Also, Kurdpa reported the execution of an inmate identified as Yousef Mirza-Beigi in Qazvin Prison on December 15. He was previously convicted of murder.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country has reported these executions at the time of writing.

Iranian Labour News Agency Staff Intimidated and Arrested by Security Forces

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, Labour News Agency (ILNA) staff have been subjected to intimidation and arrest by security institutions.

Somayeh Masroor, the head of ILNA, was arrested at protests and released on bail after a few days.

In another case, leaving the country toward Qatar in order to cover the football world cup news, ILNA’s sports editor was stopped at the airport by security forces. The agents arrested him and seized his passport.

Several other staff have also been summoned, interrogated and forced to sign a letter of commitment.
 
On Wednesday, November 23, IRGC forces arrested ILNA’s reporter Reza Asad-Abadi at his house. Since then, he has not called his family.
 
Also, in mid-November, judicial authorities banned another ILNA reporter in Qazvin, Seyyed Mostafa Jafari, from practising journalism. He was also banned from leaving the country for six months.