Teacher Union Activist Masoud Farhikhteh Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

Masoud Farhikhteh, a teacher and union activist, has been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj to six years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and additional penalties, including a prohibition on membership in social groups and gatherings, as well as restrictions on movement in the provinces of Alborz, Tehran, Qazvin, Lorestan, and Kurdistan.

According to HRANA, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Masoud Farhikhteh’s sentence was recently issued and communicated to him. Based on the ruling, Farikhteh received:

  • One year in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Five years in prison for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”
  • Two-year travel ban, prohibition of membership in social groups, and restrictions on movement in specified provinces as supplementary punishments.

The charges were based on allegations including “active participation in illegal gatherings as a leader, organizing riots, publishing statements alongside opponents of the Islamic Republic, and inciting opposition groups nationwide to organize protests.”

Earlier this year, in a separate case, Farhikhteh was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj to three months of imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime,” which was later converted into an 8 million toman fine. He was acquitted of this charge in August following an appeal in the Kurdistan Appeals Court.

Masoud Farhikhteh, a member of the board of directors of the Islamshahr Teachers’ Union, was arrested on May 1, 2023, by security forces at his home in Karaj and transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. He was eventually released on bail in May of the same year.

Teacher Ahmad Derakhshan Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Additional Penalties

Ahmad Derakhshan, a teacher and writer, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to supplementary penalties, including a two-year ban on membership in social groups, a two-year travel ban, prohibition from teaching, and dismissal from governmental and public services for two years following the completion of his prison sentence.

The verdict was recently issued and verbally communicated to Derakhshan’s lawyer.

In September 2024, Derakhshan was summoned to Branch 13 of the Karaj Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, where he was formally charged. He was released shortly thereafter on bail.

Ahmad Derakhshan, a resident of Karaj, has faced repeated summons and interrogations regarding this case. In November 2024, a court session was held to examine the charges against him.

Derakhshan, known for his work as both a teacher and writer, has long been an advocate for educational and social issues, making his sentencing a matter of concern for those monitoring human rights in Iran.

Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi Acquitted of Charges

After a retrial of Toomaj Salehi’s case, Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan acquitted him of the charges brought against him.

Amir Raisian, Mr. Salehi’s lawyer, stated: “Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, in the 2022 case against Toomaj Salehi, has issued an acquittal on the charge of ‘ spreading corruption on earth,’ which previously carried a death sentence. For the other charges, the court issued a temporary stay of prosecution. Additionally, the court referred the charges of ‘spreading falsehoods online’ and ‘disturbing public order’ to Criminal Court 2 due to lack of jurisdiction.”

In April of this year, Salehi had been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan on the charge of ‘spreading corruption on earth,’ but this sentence was overturned in early July by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, and the case was sent to Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan.

He was arrested in late October 2022 in connection with the nationwide protests by security forces. Official news agencies claimed that he was attempting to illegally leave the country through the western borders, a claim denied by his associates. In July last year, he was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan to six years and three months in prison, a travel ban, a ban on producing music and singing, and two years of mandatory behavior management and skills training. After this sentence was overturned by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, he was released on bail on November 18, 2023.

Nevertheless, Salehi’s freedom was short-lived as he was re-arrested in Babol on November 30, just twelve days after being bailed out from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The Judiciary spokesperson cited Salehi’s post-release statement as grounds for this subsequent arrest.

In January of 2024, in another part of his case, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced him to one year in prison, two years of passport invalidation, and participation in behavior management courses on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime.’ This sentence was upheld by the Isfahan Provincial Court of Appeals in late February. Late last year, Branch 117 of Criminal Court 2 in Isfahan acquitted him of the charges of ‘spreading falsehoods’ and ‘inciting violence.’

Toomaj Salehi, a protest rapper from Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, had previously been sentenced to six months in prison and a fine in 2021 for ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’

Siamak Amini Sentenced to Imprisonment on Political Charges

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran has sentenced Siamak Amini to four years and three months in prison, along with a two-year travel ban and additional penalties.

The verdict, issued on May 8, 2024, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentences 63-year-old Amini to three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion to undermine national security” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The detention period will be subtracted from his prison term. Additionally, Amini is banned from leaving the country, joining civil/political groups, and using smartphones for two years.

His support of the nationwide protests in 2022 on social media and association with anti-regime groups have been cited as the basis for these charges.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code—which dictates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced—he will spend three years and seven months in prison.

Confirming Amini’s conviction, a source close to his family informed HRANA that at the beginning of last winter, IRGC intelligence agents raided his residence, conducted a search, and confiscated some of his personal items. He was then interrogated three times and ultimately released on bail of 500 million tomans, approximately $10,000. Amini suffers from an inflammatory disorder known as Behcet’s syndrome, which makes incarceration particularly challenging for him.

Siamak Amini, a resident of Tehran, is married and was previously incarcerated for five years in the 1980s as a political prisoner.

Mahmood Mehrabi, a Political Prisoner, Receives Death Sentence

Mahmood (Mahmoud) Mehrabi has been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan on charges of “spreading corruption on earth.” He is currently held at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

Babak Eslami Farsani, Mehrabi’s legal representative, relayed that Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court issued the death sentence. Farsani highlighted that they were only informed of the decision at court, with no written verdict provided. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court would address the perceived shortcomings in the ruling. The court justified the sentence by accusing Mehrabi of “widespread dissemination of false information on Instagram.”

Mehrabi was first detained by security forces on February 1, 2023, in Isfahan, and was temporarily released on bail on March 16, 2023, only to be rearrested at his home shortly after.

In September 2023, Mehrabi faced a series of additional charges, including propaganda against the regime, incitement of police and military forces to disobedience, incitement to war, crimes against national security, and insulting the founder and Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In January of this year, he was further charged with publishing confidential information and committing acts of blasphemy, including insulting Shia Imams.

Mehrabi has a history of arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

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Update on Political Prisoner Shirin Beyraghdar’s Legal Status in Vakilabad Prison

Shirin Beyraghdar is presently serving her term at Vakilabad Prison.

Initially apprehended by security forces at her shop in Mashhad in June-July 2022, Beyraghdar spent approximately six months in detention before being released on bail amounting to one billion tomans (roughly 20,000 dollars).

Following her release, the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad convicted her on charges including “forming groups to act against national security,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she received a sentence of four years and six months for the primary charge.

In June-July 2023, Beyraghdar commenced serving her sentence at Vakilabad Prison.

Legal Advocate Golaleh Vatandoost Receives over Six-Year Prison Sentence

According to Kolbar News, Golaleh Vatandoost, a legal practitioner, has been sentenced to six years, seven months, and twenty days by the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj.

Vatandoost faced multiple charges, including “propaganda against the regime on the Internet,” as well as allegations of forming, running, and being a member of groups acting against national security, along with charges related to membership in anti-regime groups.

Her arrest by security forces in Sanandaj occurred on October 3, 2022. After spending 26 days in custody, she was released on bail set at one billion toman, approximately equivalent to 20,000 dollars.

It is noteworthy that Vatandoost had previously encountered legal issues due to her activist endeavors.

The Human Rights Advocates’ (HRA) annual report for 2023 reveals that Iranian judicial institutions collectively imposed sentences totaling 25,124 months on citizens for exercising their rights of expression.

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.

Revolutionary Court Orders the Seizure of Singer’s House

Recently, the Revolutionary Court ordered the confiscation of Iranian pop singer Hassan Shamaizadeh’s House in Tehran. The court cited “obtained by illegitimate means” as the reason.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, singer Hassan Shamaizadeh stated on social media that his house in Iran has been seized by the order of the Revolutionary Court.

The Revolutionary Court argues that the house can be confiscated because it was bought through singing, which is considered to be illegitimate according to Sharia law.

Pictures circulated on social media showing the house is demolished.

Shamaizadeh had warned last month about the authorities’ plan to take over this property, pleading with the public for help.

Hassan Shamaizadeh, age 79, is a famous Iranian pop singer and songwriter who fled Iran to the US after the Revolution in 1979. The practice of seizing personal property has been the regime’s common practice.

Journalist Hossein Roointan Sentenced to Ten Years Imprisonment 

The Court of Appeals of Bushehr changed the initial sentence against Hossein Roointan from 20 to 10 years imprisonment. Initially, he had been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Dashtestan. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five years prison sentence is the maximum punishment enforceable for him.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist and political activist Hossein Roointan was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

According to this verdict, Mr. Roointan has been sentenced to one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”, five years for “blasphemy against the imams and the prophet’s family”, two years for “offensive statements against the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran” and two years for “spreading lies and disturbing public opinion”.  From the above counts, the punishment of five years for blasphemy will be enforceable for him.

In the trial, running online campaigns and calling for illegal gatherings were presented as evidence for the charges.

On October 17, 2017, the Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Mr. Roointan in Dashtestan. After one month, he was released on the bail amount of 200 million tomans.

Hossein Roointan, age 58, a resident of Dashtestan, had previously faced arrests and convictions due to his civil activities.