Tag: Rajai Shahr Prison

Detained Political Activist Akbar Bagheri Held Without Medical Care or Updates

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News, Prisoners
Akbar Bagheri, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Salavati, اکبر باقری

HRANA News Agency – Akbar Bagheri, a political detainee suffering from multiple health conditions, has been held in detention for over two months, with no information available about his whereabouts. The uncertainty surrounding his health has raised serious concerns among his family and loved ones.

A source close to Mr. Bagheri’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “It has been over 60 days since Mr. Bagheri’s arrest. He suffers from blood-related conditions, intestinal issues, liver problems, and hemorrhoids. He has been denied access to his medications and has had no contact with his family.”

Despite the family’s persistent inquiries and his lawyer’s efforts to obtain information from judicial authorities, no clear details about his location or condition have been provided, further intensifying the family’s concerns.

Akbar Bagheri was arrested by security forces in Tehran on November 10, 2024. As of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Mr. Bagheri was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran in 2017 and transferred to Evin Prison. In the summer of 2018, he was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, to nine years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “collusion and assembly against national security.” This sentence was upheld in the Court of Appeals.

Following the events at Evin Prison in October 2022, Mr. Bagheri was transferred along with several others to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was ultimately released from Rajai Shahr Prison on May 8, 2023, under a general amnesty directive.

Saman Yasin Granted Medical Leave After 26 Months in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Ramin Safarnia, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin

Saman Seydi (Yasin), a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, was granted medical leave from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj today after posting bail.

His lawyer, Ramin Safarnia, announced: “Today, my client, Saman Yasin (Seydi), after enduring around 26 months in prison, was released on medical leave following the recommendation of a medical commission and with the judiciary’s approval, after posting a bail of 4 billion tomans.”

Saman Yasin (Seydi), a rap singer, was arrested by security forces in Tehran during the 2022 nationwide protests on October 2, 2022. He was later tried in the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion to commit crimes, and acting against national security,” and was sentenced to death. However, in December 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, and the case was referred for retrial.

In May 2023, another of Yasin’s lawyers, Hossein Sartipi, reported that his client had been sentenced to five years of exile in one of the cities in Kerman Province.

In August, HRANA highlighted Mr. Seydi’s denial of adequate medical treatment while in prison. On August 2, 2023, Yasin, along with six other political prisoners, was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Ward 8 of Evin Prison. On September 3, 2023, he and 12 other prisoners were abruptly moved to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj without prior notice.

Mehrdad Bakhtiari Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Manouchehr Bakhtiari, Mehrdad Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari, Rajai Shahr Prison

Mehrdad Bakhtiari, the paternal uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an unknown location on August 7, 2024.

His sister, Saba Bakhtiari, announced this news and stated that the agents beat Mehrdad Bakhtiari during his arrest. The reasons for his arrest and his whereabouts are currently unknown.

In March 2024, Mr. Bakhtiari was sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to five years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and two years of exile to Shahrekord.

It is noteworthy that in April 2023, a court session was held in Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court to address other charges against Mehrdad Bakhtiari. He was acquitted of the charges in that case.

On July 11, 2022, Mehrdad Bakhtiari was arrested by security forces and transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj after publishing a video about the arrest of Ms. Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari’s mother, and posting images of the broken lock on her house. He was released on bail on September 3 of the same year.

Previously, Manouchehr Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari’s father, announced that his 27-year-old son was shot and killed during the November 2019 protests in Mehrshahr district, Karaj. According to him, Pouya, along with his sister and mother, joined the protesters on the second day of the demonstrations against the increase in gasoline prices when he was shot in the skull and died before reaching the hospital.

Vahid Bani-Amerian Charged with “Armed Rebellion”

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Rajai Shahr Prison, Tehran, Vahid Bani-Amerian, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

Political detainee Vahid Bani-Amerian has been indicted on charges of “armed rebellion (Baghi),” which carries the potential for severe penalties, including the death penalty.

Bani-Amerian was arrested in Tehran on December 22, 2023, by security forces. The Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran has now formally charged him with “armed rebellion” for allegations of his involvement with an anti-regime group. He is additionally accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to reports from HRANA, Bani-Amerian is currently held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which the Ministry of Intelligence manages. Since his arrest, he has been denied legal representation.

HRANA sources also report that Bani-Amerian suffers from several health issues, including irritable bowel syndrome, a compromised immune system, and an acute respiratory tract infection. These health concerns have significantly heightened his family’s worries about his health.

Previously, Bani-Amerian was arrested and convicted in Tehran during April-May 2018. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 18 years in prison and exile across two separate cases. However, he was released in March 2023 from Rajai Shahr Prison under a general amnesty.

Rapper Saman Seydi Sentenced to Five Years in Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Hossein Sartipi, moharebeh, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin, سامان یاسین

Saman Seydi, known as Yasin, was arrested during nationwide protests in 2022 and has been sentenced to five years of exile in a city in Kerman Province.

Seydi’s lawyer, Hossein Sartipi, announced that according to a verdict issued by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, his client will serve five years in exile. Sartipi plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that Seydi has already been detained for over 18 months, suggesting he has effectively served his time.

In mid-April 2024, Seydi was taken from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj to a hospital for one day for nasal surgery, following an injury sustained during his incarceration.

Seydi was arrested on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests and subsequently transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on charges including “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) and “assembly and collusion against national security,” and was initially sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, leading to the transfer of his case to another court branch for retrial.

On August 2, 2023, Seydi, along with six other political prisoners, was moved from Rajai Shahr Prison to Evin Prison. On September 3, 2023, he was transferred again with 12 inmates to Ghezel Hesar without prior notice and was held in a ward with prisoners convicted of drug offenses, violating regulations that require political prisoners to be housed separately.

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Abdolrasoul Mortazavi Receives Two-Year Sentence in Prison for New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Dastgerd Prison, Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison

Political prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, currently serving an eleven-year sentence in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has been handed an additional two-year sentence for a new legal case initiated while in prison.

Confirming the recent ruling, a source close to Mortazavi’s family informed HRANA that the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years. The legal case was triggered by Mortazavi’s voice message titled “Joking with the world leader of the clowns,” recorded in Rajai Shahr Prison in April-May 2022.

In mid-August 2019, Mortazavi and 13 civil society activists penned an open letter urging Ayatollah Khamenei to step down, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence, with 11 years currently in effect. He is currently serving this sentence in Dastgerd Prison.

Additionally, Mortazavi was sentenced to an extra two years in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for alleged “propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order.”

An Iran-Iraq war-injured veteran, Mortazavi was initially incarcerated in Evin Prison. In March 2021, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison and later, in the following year, exiled to Dastgerd Prison.

Rapper Saman Seydi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days Amid Legal Uncertainty

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News, Prisoners
2022 nationwide protests, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi

Rapper Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, for over 300 days, with no clear indication of further legal proceedings.

Despite his requests, Seydi has not been permitted to have representation from a private lawyer. Judge Salavati has denied his lawyer access to the case documents, hindering his defense.

The arrest of Seydi took place on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests, following which he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on several charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion against national security,” and sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court of Iran later overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his legal case to another court branch for retrial.

Background on 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. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Fatemeh Mosanna and Hassan Sadeghi Released After Eight Years of Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Ali Khamenei, Evin Prison, Fatemeh Mosanna, Hassan Sadeghi, Rajai Shahr Prison

On July 12, 2023, political prisoners Fatemeh Mosanna and Hassan Sadeghi were finally released from Evin and Rajai Shahr Prison, marking the end of their grueling eight-year incarceration.

A reliable source close to the families of the couple revealed to HRANA that they had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive, following the proposal made by the head of the Judiciary in February 2023. This initiative aimed to pardon or reduce the sentences of select prisoners, acting in accordance with Article 110, paragraph 11 of Iran’s constitution. The proposal received approval from Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The couple’s arrest took place on January 28, 2013, during the funeral of Sadeghi’s father. Their daughter and underage son were also apprehended and interrogated, but were subsequently released.

Following their trial at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, both Mosanna and Sadeghi were sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the additional penalty of having their personal property, business, and house seized. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Mosanna’s own history with imprisonment dates back to 1980 when she was just 13 years old. Alongside her mother, she was arrested and imprisoned for three years. Tragically, during that time, her three brothers, Ali, Mostafa, and Morteza, as well as her brother’s wife, were executed in prison on charges of “enmity against God” and “advocating for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran.”

Sadeghi also faced imprisonment in 1981, enduring a six-year sentence. He suffered severe beatings at the hands of prison agents, which have had lasting effects on his health.

Execution of Five Inmates, Including Female Prisoner, in Rajai Shahr Prison

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Executions, News
Fatemeh Yousefabadi, HRANA, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison

On July 12, 2023, Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of five individuals, one of whom was a woman, all convicted of murder.

HRANA has identified the executed woman as Fatemeh Yousefabadi. Just one day before her execution, she was transferred from Qarchak Prison to solitary confinement in Rajai Shahr Prison, where the final verdict was carried out.

HRANA is working on identifying three other inmates.

At present, no official sources or media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

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.

Update on Bahai Citizen Payam Vali’s Condition in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Payam Vali, Rajai Shahr Prison

Payam Vali, a Baha’i citizen, is currently serving a six-year sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj. He has been denied access to make a phone call to his family, as ordered by prison officials.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Vali’s phone card has been blocked. He is also prohibitd from purchasing any item from the prison store. The source revealed that this prohibition was imposed after Vali gave a message via phone addressing the speakers of the Iranian Parliament.

In addition, another source close to Vali’s family informed HRANA that since late May, he has only had one visitation with his family. Furthermore, other prisoners have been threatened to refrain from providing Vali with their phone cards.

On September 24, 2022, security forces arrested Vali at his residence in Karaj, subsequently conducting a search of his house and detaining him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was later relocated to Ghezel Hesar prison.

On May 10, 2023, the Alborz Court of Appeals sentenced Vali to six years for “collaboration with adversary countries,” three years and one month for “inciting people to commit violence,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the first charge carries an enforceable prison term of six years. It is worth noting that Vali had initially been sentenced in February 2023 to ten, five, and one-year terms for the respective charges mentioned above.

According to HRANA annual report, from the full 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.