Civil Rights Activist Sepideh Gholian Launches Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

Sepideh Gholian (Qolian), a prominent civil rights activist detained in Evin Prison, commenced a hunger strike on April 3, 2024, demanding her transfer to Ahvaz Prison near her home.

A source close to her family confirmed Gholian’s hunger strike to HRANA.

Gholian’s troubles began on March 15, 2023, when security forces arrested her upon her return to Dezful shortly after her initial release. She was promptly sent back to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison four days later.

In May 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Gholian of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of detention. Alongside her imprisonment, she faced various restrictions, including a prohibition on joining political or social groups, limitations on cell phone usage, and a two-year ban from entering Tehran and its neighboring provinces. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Furthermore, a case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, an Iran-state TV reporter with ties to security agencies as an interrogator. In this case, Gholian received an additional sentence of one year and three months for her alleged involvement in “removing hijab, facilitating indecency, and persisting in committing criminal acts.”

It’s important to note that Gholian has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to her activism.

International Women’s Day; Comprehensive List of Female Political Prisoners in Iran

HRANA News Agency – International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, is an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements in various social, economic, cultural, and political arenas and to emphasize the importance of fighting for women’s rights and their irreplaceable role in society. In Iran, this day takes on added significance as Iranian women, despite facing numerous challenges, play a leading role in civil and social movements in the country and are at the forefront of the struggle for their rights. Women in Iran face gender discrimination, legal and social restrictions, and inequalities in career advancement and education, and yet, against all odds, they continue to fight.

In an effort to increase public awareness about the status of women, namely those women who are imprisoned in Iran owing of to their ideological, political, or religious beliefs, HRANA releases this report on the occasion of International Women’s Day. These women, active in defending human rights and equality, play a crucial role in the fight for justice. This day is a time to focus attention and strengthen global support for the struggles and challenges they face.

They stand not only for their own rights, but for the rights of all women, against oppression and discrimination in all forms.

The situation for women has been fraught with struggle.

From the pre-revolution era to the present, Iranian women have faced obstacles in social, economic, and legal sectors. While progress has been made in accessing education, and the workplace, for some, gender discrimination and legal restrictions related to marriage, divorce, custody, and inheritance to name a mere few hold women in unequal positions within society. These inequalities are enshrined into the law.

Well-known restrictions faced by women related to mandatory hijab can lead to fines, arrest, and severe punishments. Furthermore, these restrictions can limit a women’s access to jobs and social activities. For an in-depth look at individuals and institutions involved in serious human rights violations related to women’s rights in Iran reference the Spreading Justice report: The State of Women’s Rights in Iran: Institutional and Individual Violations

A growing trend of civil activity and protest led by women 

In recent years, there has been an increase in civil activities and protests led by Iranian women. These movements, which are largely against mandatory hijab, see women demanding equality in law, and defend women’s rights in the workplace and in society. The movements reflect Iranian women’s efforts to take control, to fight back , and to achieve equal rights and combat gender discrimination for themselves, and for future generations of Iranian women.

These efforts have become particularly visible in light of the nationwide protests that began in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini. Women played a key and leading role in these protests, becoming symbols of resistance against gender discrimination, human rights violations, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Their role in these movements is seen not only in Iran but also internationally as a turning point in the struggle for rights and freedoms. For an in-depth analysis of the advocacy efforts by Iranian women and the international response reference HRA’s statement: Unveiling Injustice: Advocating for Women’s Rights and Accountability in Iran

On the eve of International Women’s Day, the publication of a list of names and stories of women who are imprisoned in Iran for fighting for their rights and defending human values is not only a tribute to their courage and resilience but also an effort to increase global awareness about the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Iran. These stories are a testament to the indomitable spirit of women who, despite all hardships and deprivations, continue to raise their voices in protest and demand.

Sharing this list goes beyond mere information dissemination; it is an invitation to join in international solidarity. This solidarity provides the necessary support and backing for these women and their families and demonstrates the power of global unity in combatting human rights violations. This support, formed through awareness campaigns, legal activities, and international pressure, can ultimately contribute to ensuring these women achieve what they are fighting so hard for against all odds.

This list is not just a collection of names but a compilation of stories of struggle, hope, and perseverance. The women on this list come from diverse backgrounds, yet all share common elements in their fight for justice and equality. The diversity of backgrounds illustrates the breadth and depth of women’s struggles across Iran and indicates that the demand for justice and equality transcends social, cultural, and economic boundaries.

Women imprisoned in Iranian jails on ideological, political, or religious charges.

This list shows the details of female political prisoners in Iran, describing their names, charges, sentences, the dates their cases were filed, and the locations of their prisons.

The charges range from “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion” to more severe allegations such as “corruption on earth” and “espionage.”

The sentences vary significantly, including life imprisonment, several years in prison, and uncertain conditions for those still awaiting verdicts.

Many of these women are held in notorious prisons like Evin, with some cases dating back years, highlighting the long-term nature of these types of punishments.

1. Full Name: Zeinab Jalalian
Charges: Waging war against the regime through membership in opposition groups
Sentenced: Life imprisonment
Case date: 2007 (1386)
Place of imprisonment: Yazd Prison
2. Full Name: Maryam Akbari Monfared
Charges: Waging war through membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran
Sentenced: 15 years imprisonment
Case date: December 31, 2009 (10 Dey 1388)
Place of imprisonment: Semnan Prison
3. Full Name: Mahvash Adalati Aliabadi
Charges: Propaganda activities against the regime – Assembly and collusion
Sentenced: 1 year imprisonment
Case date: November 26, 2018 (5 Azar 1397)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
4. Full Name: Shiva Ismaeili
Charges: Assembly and collusion
Sentenced: 10 years imprisonment
Case date: May, 2023 (Khordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
5. Full Name: Fereshteh (Tahereh) Nouri
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security – Disturbing public order
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment
Case date: September 25, 2022 (3 Mehr 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
6. Full Name: Parvin Mirassan
Charges: Corruption on Earth through widespread action against national security – Assembly and collusion to commit a crime
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: November 3, 2022 (12 Aban 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
7. Full Name: Soodabeh Fakharzadeh
Charges: Assembly and collusion
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: May, 2023 (Khordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
8. Full Name: Arghavan Falahi
Charges: Propaganda against the regime – Assembly and collusion to commit a crime against security – Membership in opposition groups
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: November 4, 2022 (13 Aban 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
9. Full Name: Masoumeh (Akram) Akbari
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to act against national security – Propaganda activities against the regime
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
10. Full Name: Shadi Shahidzadeh
Charges: Membership in illegal groups and organizations with the aim of disrupting national security
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: May 1, 2023 (11 Ordibehesht 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
11. Full Name: Narges Mansouri
Charges: In two separate cases with identical charges of assembly and collusion against national security – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 6 + 3 years imprisonment, a total of 9 years
Case date: Autumn 2019 (Fall 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
12. Full Name: Saeideh (Samira) Sabouri
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
13. Full Name: Yasamin Saboohi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
14. Full Name: Bahareh Hedayat
Charges: In two separate cases; assembly and collusion – Propaganda against the regime – Promoting corruption and prostitution
Sentenced: 4 years and 8 months imprisonment + Indeterminate from another case
Case date: February 10, 2020 (21 Bahman 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
15. Full Name: Vida Rabani
Charges: In two separate cases; assembly and collusion with the intent to commit a crime against national security – Propaganda against the regime – Insulting the sacred – Disturbing public order
Sentenced: 5 years + 6 years and 15 months imprisonment
Case date: November 23, 2020 (2 Azar 1399)
Place of imprisonment: Not specified
16. Full Name: Reyhaneh Ansari Nejad
Charges: Assembly and collusion against the system and propaganda against the system
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: May 12, 2023 (22 Ordibehesht 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
17. Full Name: Maryam Haji Hosseini
Charges: Corruption on Earth and spying for Israel
Sentenced: 10 years imprisonment and the return of received funds
Case date: Late Shahrivar 1398 (September 2019)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
18. Full Name: Nahid Taghavi
Charges: Participation in running an illegal group – Propaganda activities against the regime
Sentenced: 10 years and 8 months imprisonment
Case date: October 17, 2020 (25 Mehr 1399)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
19. Full Name: Narges Mohammadi
Charges: In four separate cases with charges including propaganda activities against the regime through issuing statements, disrupting prison order through sit-ins, defying prison leadership and authorities, damaging glasses, slander, and assault
Sentenced: 30 months imprisonment, 80 lashes, and payment of two fines + 15 months imprisonment and supplementary punishments + 1 year imprisonment + 15 months imprisonment; totaling 12 years and 6 months imprisonment, 80 lashes, payment of two fines, and supplementary punishments
Case date: November 16, 2021 (25 Aban 1400)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
20. Full Name: Anisha Asadollahi
Charges: Assembly and collusion – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 5 years and 8 months imprisonment
Case date: May 9, 2022 (19 Ordibehesht 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
21. Full Name: Sepideh Kashan-Doust (Kashani)
Charges: Cooperation with the United States government
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment
Case date: February 2018 (Bahman 1396)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
22. Full Name: Marzieh Farsi
Charges: Membership in opposition groups
Sentenced: 15 years imprisonment
Case date: August 21, 2023 (30 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
23. Full Name: Zahra Safaei
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: September 12, 2023 (21 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
24. Full Name: Farahnaz Nikkhoo
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: December 3, 2022 (12 Azar 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
25. Full Name: Marzieh Jani Pour
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: January 19, 2023 (29 Dey 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
26. Full Name: Golrokh Iraee
Charges: Assembly and collusion – Propaganda against the regime – Disturbing public order
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: September 26, 2022 (4 Mehr 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
27. Full Name: Shakila Monfared
Charges: In three separate cases with charges including propaganda activities against the regime and insulting Islamic sanctities, membership in opposition groups, and spreading lies
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment + 2 years and 8 months imprisonment and a fine of 10 million tomans + 15 months of corrective imprisonment, 2 years of exile, and supplementary punishments; totaling 9 years and 11 months imprisonment, 2 years of exile, a fine, and supplementary punishments
Case date: August 31, 2020 (10 Shahrivar 1399)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
28. Full Name: Razavaneh Ahmad Khan Beigi
Charges: Propaganda against the regime – Assembly and collusion against internal security
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: September 18, 2023 (27 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
29. Full Name: Nasrin Khezri Javadi (Azam)
Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: May 1, 2019 (11 Ordibehesht 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
30. Full Name: Niloufar Bayani
Charges: Cooperation with America
Sentenced: 10 years imprisonment
Case date: February 2018 (Bahman 1396)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
31. Full Name: Faezeh Hashemi
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda activities against the regime, and disturbing public peace and comfort
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment and a ban on leaving the country
Case date: September 27, 2022 (5 Mehr 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
32. Full Name: Fariba Kamalabadi
Charges: Espionage, promoting the Bahá’í faith, and promoting indecency in the country
Sentenced: 10 years imprisonment
Case date: July 31, 2022 (9 Mordad 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
33. Full Name: Mahvash Shahriari
Charges: Espionage, promoting the Bahá’í faith, and promoting indecency in the country
Sentenced: 10 years imprisonment
Case date: July 31, 2022 (9 Mordad 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
34. Full Name: Mahboubeh Rezaei
Charges: Membership in opposition groups with the aim of disrupting national security – Assembly and collusion with the intent to commit a crime against national security – Propaganda activities against the regime – Insulting Islamic sanctities – Unveiling and demonstrating corruption in cyberspace
Sentenced: 19 years and 9 months imprisonment, payment of 8 million tomans fine, and supplementary punishments
Case date: May 22, 2023 (1 Khordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
35. Full Name: Shirin Saeidi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
36. Full Name: Hajar Saeidi
Charges: Membership in one of the opposition parties
Sentenced: 1 year imprisonment
Case date: June 8, 2020 (18 Khordad 1399)
Place of imprisonment: Sanandaj Correctional and Rehabilitation Center
37. Full Name: Sarina Jahani
Charges: Assembly and collusion
Sentenced: 2 years imprisonment
Case date: September 16, 2023 (25 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
38. Full Name: Mina Khajavi
Charges: Forming an illegal group with the aim of disrupting national security – Acting against national security through proselytizing Christianity and establishing a home church
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment
Case date: July 2020 (Tir 1399)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
39. Full Name: Zohreh Sarv
Charges: Assembly and collusion – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 7 years imprisonment
Case date: October 2021 (Mehr 1400)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
40. Full Name: Samaneh Norooz Moradi
Charges: Membership in opposition groups with the goal of disrupting national security – Assembly and collusion with the intent to commit a crime against national security – Propaganda activities against the regime
Sentenced: 11 years imprisonment
Case date: April 24, 2023 (4 Ordibehesht 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
41. Full Name: Soha Mortazai
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to act against national security
Sentenced: 6 years
Case date: November 2019 (Aban 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
42. Full Name: Nasim Sultan Beigi
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to commit a crime – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 4 years, 1 month, and 16 days imprisonment and supplementary punishments
Case date: January 22, 2023 (2 Bahman 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
43. Full Name: Mahnaz Tarah
Charges: Assembly and collusion to commit a crime – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 4 years and 4 months imprisonment
Case date: November 13, 2023 (22 Aban 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
44. Full Name: Sarvnaz Ahmadi
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 3 years and 6 months imprisonment
Case date: April 28, 2023 (8 Ordibehesht 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
45. Full Name: Nasim Gholami Simiari
Charges: Rebellion
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: April 2023 (Ordibehesht 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
46. Full Name: Kubra Bigi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
47. Full Name: Rahleh Rahmi Pour
Charges: Assembly and collusion – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment
Case date: November 12, 2019 (21 Aban 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
48. Full Name: Sepideh Gholian
Charges: In two separate cases with charges of insulting the leadership, unveiling and facilitating corruption and prostitution, and insistence on committing the aforementioned crimes in court sessions
Sentenced: 2 years imprisonment and supplementary punishment + 1 year and 3 months corrective imprisonment; totaling 3 years and 3 months imprisonment and supplementary punishments
Case date: March 14, 2023 (24 Esfand 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
49. Full Name: Sahar (Fateme) Mokhtari
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
50. Full Name: Azar Korvandi Mousa Zadeh
Charges: Assembly and collusion with the intent to act against national security through cooperation with an opposition group
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: Summer 2019 (Tabestan 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
51. Full Name: Zeinab Hamrang Seyed Beglo
Charges: Assembly and collusion
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: March 11, 2024 (21 Esfand 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
52. Full Name: Pakhshan Azizi
Charges: Membership in opposition associations
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: August 4, 2023 (13 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
53. Full Name: Varisheh Moradi
Charges: Rebellion
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: August 1, 2023 (10 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
54. Full Name: Elaheh Fouladi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: December 12, 2023 (21 Azar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
55. Full Name: Nasrin Roshan
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
56. Full Name: Maryam Vahidfard
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
57. Full Name: Moloud Hossein Doost
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
58. Full Name: Samira Nejatian
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
59. Full Name: Laleh Sa’ati
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
60. Full Name: Neda Fotouhi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
61. Full Name: Lian Darvish
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
62. Full Name: Nahid Khodajoo
Charges: Assembly and collusion to act against national security and disturbing public order and peace
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment and 74 lashes
Case date: May 1, 2019 (11 Ordibehesht 1398)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
63. Full Name: Forough Taghipour
Charges: Membership in an opposition group
Sentenced: 15 years imprisonment
Case date: August 21, 2022 (30 Mordad 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
64. Full Name: Sepideh Keshavarz
Charges: Propaganda activities against the regime – Assembly and collusion
Sentenced: 1 year imprisonment
Case date: November 20, 2018 (29 Aban 1397)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
65. Full Name: Armita Pamir
Charges: Insulting the leadership – Propaganda activities against the regime
Sentenced: 1 year, 10 months, and 17 days imprisonment
Case date: June 28, 2023 (7 Tir 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Tabriz Prison
66. Full Name: Noushin Mesbah
Charges: Membership in an opposition group with the aim of disrupting order and security of the country
Sentenced: 1 year imprisonment
Case date: Early September 2023 (Early Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
67. Full Name: Nasrin Sadat Shahraeeni
Charges: Cyber spreading of lies, inciting people to massacre and conflict, propaganda against the regime, and disturbing public minds
Sentenced: 1 year and 3 months imprisonment
Case date: September 9, 2023 (18 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
68. Full Name: Roya Malakouti
Charges: Forming groups and societies with the aim of disrupting national security – Propaganda activities against the regime
Sentenced: 6 years and 8 months imprisonment
Case date: July 29, 2023 (7 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
69. Full Name: Azita Foroughi Motlagh
Charges: Membership in an opposition society with the intent of disrupting national security – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 3 years and 8 months imprisonment
Case date: July 29, 2023 (7 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
70. Full Name: Negin Hosseinzadeh
Charges: Propaganda activities against the regime – Filming forbidden places – Assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt public order – Insulting the leadership – Membership in opposition groups
Sentenced: 3 years, 6 months, and 1 day imprisonment
Case date: August 22, 2023 (31 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
71. Full Name: Raha Pour Ebrahim
Charges: Forming an opposition group – Propaganda against the regime- Virtual activities aimed at disrupting public order
Sentenced: 3 years imprisonment
Case date: September 7, 2023 (16 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
72. Full Name: Sakineh Parvaneh
Charges: Assembly and collusion against national security – Propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime – Insulting the leadership
Sentenced: 7 years and 6 months imprisonment
Case date: March 2023 (Farvardin 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
73. Full Name: Fatemeh Sepehri
Charges: In two separate cases with charges of collaboration with hostile governments – Assembly and collusion – Insulting the leadership – Propaganda against the regime, spreading lies and disturbing public minds through online activities and interviews with foreign media
Sentenced: 18 years + 1 year corrective imprisonment and a fine of 20 million tomans; totaling 19 years imprisonment and a fine
Case date: August 1, 2021 (10 Mordad 1400)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
74. Full Name: Sanaz Tafazzoli
Charges: Forming a group with the intent of disrupting internal security – Assembly and collusion with the intent of committing a crime against national security – Deviant educational or promotional activity contrary to or undermining the sacred Sharia within the framework of a sect, group, society, or the like
Sentenced: 10 years and 9 months imprisonment
Case date: November 22, 2022 (1 Azar 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
75. Full Name: Sara Nasiri
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Not specified
Case date: December 6, 2022 (15 Azar 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
76. Full Name: Ziba Ghelich Khani
Charges: Propaganda against the regime in cyberspace
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 18, 2022 (27 Shahrivar 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Sanandaj Correctional and Rehabilitation Center
77. Full Name: Zhila Hojabri
Charges: Membership in opposition groups – Propaganda activities against the regime – Defiance of a government official
Sentenced: 3 years and 8 months imprisonment
Case date: August 2022 (Mordad 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Sanandaj Correctional and Rehabilitation Center
78. Full Name: Farideh Moradkhani
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: 3 years imprisonment
Case date: January 13, 2022 (23 Dey 1400)
Place of imprisonment: Tehran Correctional and Rehabilitation Center
79. Full Name: Farzaneh Gharahasanloo
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: November 4, 2023 (13 Aban 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Mashhad Prison
80. Full Name: Nasrin Hasani
Charges: In two cases with charges of spreading lies – Non-compliance with the Sharia veil in public places and public view, propaganda activities against the regime
Sentenced: 1 year imprisonment + 7 months imprisonment and a fine of one million tomans; totaling 1 year and 7 months imprisonment and a fine
Case date: September 3, 2023 (12 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Bojnurd Prison
81. Full Name: Nahid Shirpisheh
Charges: Assembly and collusion – Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment
Case date: July 11, 2023 (20 Tir 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Zanjan Prison
82. Full Name: Masoumeh Yavari
Charges: Destruction of public property – Membership in an opposition group – Propaganda against the system
Sentenced: 13 years imprisonment
Case date: September 4, 2023 (13 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
83. Full Name: Mahsa Saeidi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 11, 2023 (20 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Sepah Intelligence Detention Center, Yazd
84. Full Name: Sanaz Jahan Tigh
Charges: Propaganda against the regime and inciting people to disrupt national security
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 21, 2022 (30 Shahrivar 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Sari Prison
85.Full Name: Shiva Khalili
Charges:
Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced:
1 year of imprisonment – Seizure of mobile phone
Case date:
16 November 2021 (25 Aban 1401)
Place of imprisonment:
Babol Prison
86. Full Name: Sharifeh Mohammadi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: November 25, 2023 (4 Azar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht
87. Full Name: Roya Sabet
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: February 14, 2024 (25 Bahman 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Detention Center Plate 100, Shiraz
88. Full Name: Niloufar Sadat Hashemian
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: February 14, 2024 (25 Bahman 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Sepah Intelligence Detention Center, Semnan
90. Full Name: Niloufar Ghazaleh
Charges: In two separate cases, charged with publishing photos without a hijab
Sentenced: 5 years imprisonment from the first case and indeterminate from the second case
Case date: November 28, 2023 (7 Azar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Isfahan
91. Full Name: Zhinous Shadabi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: November 7, 2023 (16 Aban 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Hamedan
92. Full Name: Narges Soleimani
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: Early October 2023 (Early Mehr 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Sanandaj
93. Full Name: Fereshteh Fadaee Far
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: Early October 2023 (Early Mehr 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Sanandaj
94. Full Name: Sahar Salehian
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 23, 2023 (1 Mehr 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Sanandaj
95. Full Name: Farideh Ghahremani Far
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 18, 2023 (27 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Kermanshah
96. Full Name: Parisa Mohammadi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 16, 2023 (25 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Kermanshah
97. Full Name: Farzaneh Moeini
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 16, 2023 (25 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Yasuj
98. Full Name: Maryam Jalal Hosseini
Charges: Incitement of people to war and slaughter with each other with the aim of disrupting national security – Propaganda against the regime – Insulting the leadership – Forming a group with the aim of disrupting national security
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment and 2 years exile to Ilam
Case date: August 27, 2023 (5 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Kachooii Prison, Karaj
99. Full Name: Parastoo Afshari Nejad
Charges: Unveiling, propaganda against the system, and inviting people to war and slaughter each other
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 16, 2023 (25 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
100. Full Name: Batool Omidy
Charges: Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 11, 2023 (20 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Ilam Prison
101. Full Name: Fakhri Omidy
Charges: Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 11, 2023 (20 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Ilam Prison
102. Full Name: Glavizh Tahmasbi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: September 16, 2023 (25 Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Sanandaj
103. Full Name: Tina Deljoo
Charges: Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 1 year imprisonment
Case date: Not specified
Place of imprisonment: Lakan Prison, Rasht
104. Full Name: Yekta Fahandezh Saadi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: December 18, 2023 (27 Azar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Adelabad Prison, Shiraz
105. Full Name: Safoura Maleki
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: August 13, 2023 (22 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Department Detention Center, Ilam
106. Full Name: Maryam Ebrahimi
Charges: Unveiling – Propaganda against the regime – Disobedience to police orders
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: April 2023 (Ordibehesht 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan
107. Full Name: Fermisk Babai
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: August 17, 2023 (26 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Kermanshah
108. Full Name: Fatemeh (Mozhgan) Tadrisi
Charges: Incitement and provocation of the people to war and slaughter each other with the aim of disrupting national security – Propaganda against the regime- Insulting the leadership – Forming a group with the aim of disrupting national security
Sentenced: 6 years imprisonment and 2 years exile to Zanjan
Case date: Early September 2023 (Early Shahrivar 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Kachooii Prison, Karaj
109. Full Name: Sahar Ahmadi
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: July 31, 2023 (10 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Department Detention Center, Sanandaj
110. Full Name: Jhina Pendar
Charges: Not specified
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: July 23, 2023 (1 Mordad 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Sanandaj
111. Full Name: Lalikhan Niknia
Charges: Association with one of the opposition parties
Sentenced: Indeterminate
Case date: June 25, 2023 (4 Tir 1402)
Place of imprisonment: Intelligence Detention Center, Urmia
112. Full Name: Maryam Sadat Yahyavi
Charges: Propaganda against the regime
Sentenced: 1 year of imprisonment
Case date: November 2014 (Aban 1393)
Place of imprisonment: Evin Prison
113. Full Name: Mina Karami
Charges: Deviant educational and promotional activity contrary to or corrupting the sacred Sharia
Sentenced: 5 years of punitive imprisonment, 5 million tomans of fine, deprivation of social rights for 10 years, and prohibition of leaving the country for 2 years
Case date: Spring 2022 (Spring 1401)
Place of imprisonment: Adel Abad Prison, Shiraz
 

Call to Action on the Occassion of International Women’s Day 

HRA calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all women who are imprisoned solely on the basis of their beliefs, religions, political or social activities.

We urge Iranian authorities to respect their international obligations and to observe the fundamental rights of Iranian women, including, the right to due process and fair trial, the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. Ensuring these fundamental rights is not only a step towards maintaining respect for human dignity but also lays the groundwork for progress within the country and the sustainable development of society.

In this context, the importance of international pressure and support for organizations fighting for women’s rights in Iran is more crucial than ever. The international community united with all human rights organizations must unanimously declare their support for imprisoned women and their struggles to obtain rights. There are a number of ways the international community can support imprisoned Iranian women, be it through diplomatic pressures, awareness campaigns, or direct assistance to Iranian human rights organizations working daily to advocate for women’s rights.

Every small action can be part of a larger wave that creates fundamental changes in society,  towards achieving a world where justice and equality are guaranteed for all, regardless of gender.

 

 

 


For more information please contact Skylar Thompson, Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) skylar[at]hramail.com


 

Civil Rights Activist Sepideh Gholian Receives One Year and Three Months Sentence

The Tehran Criminal Court has handed down a one-year-and-three-month sentence to civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian (Qolian).

Presiding over the court, Judge Shamseddin Jalili Piran sentenced Gholian for her alleged involvement in “removing hijab, facilitating indecency, and persisting in committing criminal acts.” The detention period served prior to the trial will be deducted from her prison term.

The court session took place behind closed doors on August 22, 2023. The case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, an Iran-state TV reporter with connections to security agencies as an interrogator.

It is worth noting that Gholian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. In her most recent legal case in May 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Gholian of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of custody. Alongside her imprisonment, she faced restrictions that included a ban on joining political or social groups, limitations on cell phone usage, and a two-year prohibition from entering Tehran and its neighboring provinces.

Following her release from Evin Prison, Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, while traveling from Tehran to Dezful. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was subsequently transferred to the Women’s Ward within the facility four days later.

Two Years Imprisonment against Sepideh Gholian Uphled on Appeal

Civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian has had her two-year sentence and additional penalties affirmed by Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals.

Back in May 2023, Gholian was convicted by the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of custody. Along with the imprisonment, she was subjected to a ban on joining political or social groups, restrictions on cell phone usage, and a two-year prohibition from entering Tehran and adjacent provinces.

After her release from Evin Prison, Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, while traveling from Tehran to Dezful. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was later transferred to the Women’s Ward of the facility four days later.

Adding to her legal troubles, on July 19, 2023, Gholian received a summons to appear in criminal court. This came as a result of a complaint filed against her by Ameneh Sadat Zabih Pour Ahmadi, an IRIB reporter and security interrogator, accusing Gholian of “disturbing public opinion through the dissemination of false information” on the internet.

It is important to note that Gholian has a history of previous arrests and convictions linked to her activism.

 

Sepideh Gholian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian has been sentenced to two years in prison, according to her brother Mehdi Gholian.

Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, shortly after being released from Evin Prison while on her way from Tehran to Dezful. She was taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison and then transferred to the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison four days later.

The allegations against Gholian, a prominent civil rights activist, remain unknown at this time.

Gholian has previously been arrested and convicted for her activism.

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Report on Political Prisoners’ Conditions in Women’s Ward of Evin Prison

Currently, 24 women are being held at the women’s ward of Evin Prison in Tehran for political and alleged national security charges. This report provides an updated list of these prisoners along with their latest conditions, including the multiple health issues some are facing due to enduring long-term sentences or being beaten during detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, there are 24 women being held for political charges in the women’s ward of Evin Prison in Tehran.

During incarceration, they have experienced solitary confinement, frequent interrogation, being charged with new accusations, lack of adequate medical care, and being denied family visitation and phone calls. They have also been co-housed with prisoners who have committed violent crimes.

Among these prisoners, Mahvash Shahriari Sabet, Fariba Kamalabadi, Niloufar Bayani, Sepideh Kashani, Nahid Taghavi and Zahra Zehtabchi, among others, have spent a significant part of their incarceration in solitary confinement.

Many of these inmates are mothers including Zarha Zehtabchi, Narges Mohammadi, Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani, Maliheh Nazari, Samin Ehsani, and Narges Mansouri.
Since prisoners’ conditions are changing constantly, particularly after the recent mass releases under the “pardon and commute” directive, this report provides an updated list of the political prisoners in this ward.

Bahareh Hedayat

Bahareh Hedayat
Bahareh Hedayat

Bahareh Hedayat, age 41, is serving her four-year and eight-month sentence. She was arrested and detained several times for her civil activities on June 12, 2006, July 9, 2007, July 13, 2008, and March 21, 2009.
On December 30, 2009, she was arrested again. After a few months of detention in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. Next year, she received additional six months for writing an open letter.

By the midwinter of 2016, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal code, Hedayat had served out her time. Yet, judicial authorities refused to set her free by ordering her two-year suspended sentence, received in 2007, to be served. She was eventually released from jail on September 4, 2016, after serving six years and six months for all accumulated sentences.

On October 3, 2019, security forces arrested Hedayat amid the 2019–2020 Iranian protests. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to four years and eight months, two years banned from membership in political and civil groups, and penal labor in a nursing home for three months.
Lastly, on October 3, 2022, Hedayat was arrested amid 2022 nationwide protests, and on November 6 was jailed in Evin Prison to start her sentence received in 2019.
Currently, Hedayat is serving the second moths of her prison term. She has been held in solitary confinement for seven months.

Akram Nasirian

Akram Nasirian
Akram Nasirian

On April 29, 2019, security forces arrested Nasirian in Tehran and detained her in solitary confinement under interrogation in Evin Prison for 20 days. In Late May, she was relocated to double cell solitary in this ward.
On May 26, 2019, she was released on 200-million-toman bail until the end of legal proceedings.

On September 4, 2019, along with Nahid Shaghaghi, Nasirian was summoned to the Evin Courthouse investigation office, presided by Judge Nasiripour.

The Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Nasirian and three other women’s rights activists, Asrin Darkaleh, Maryam Mohammadi and Nahid Shaghaghi, each to four years and two months. These verdicts were reduced to two years and three months after the defendants waived their rights to appeal.

In March 2020, Nasirian and three other women’s rights activists were summoned to Evin Courthouse for sentencing, which was postponed until April 3, 2022, due to the Head of Judiciary’s directive to keep health prisons condition in control during the Covid-19 pandemic. Eventually, in August 2022, they were jailed in Evin Prison to start serving their sentences.

Nasirian, 60 years old, a resident of Tehran, is a member of The Call of the Iranian Women NGO.

Sepideh Gholian

Sepideh Gholian
Sepideh Gholian

On November 18, 2018, Sepideh Gholian was arrested along with at least 19 others, including members of the Assembly of Representatives of Haft-Tappeh (Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company) workers, and several workers’ activists by Public Security Police in Shush city. She was released on bail after one month.

On January 19, 2019, Iran’s state TV aired a report showing some written statements signed by Gholian and others, including Esmail Bakhshi, and Ali Nejati (a member of the managing board of the labor union representing Haft Tappeh workers), confessing their connection with Marxist anti-regime Groups outside the country.
In response, Bakhshi and Gholian announced that these confessions were extracted under torture during their interrogation by the Ministry of Intelligence agents and other security forces. Both Judiciary and the Ministry of Intelligence dismissed their statements and arrested them just a few hours later.
On  October 26, 2019, Gholian was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. On December 14, 2019, the Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced her to five years imprisonment. On June 21, 2020, she was arrested after an appearance at Evin Courthouse and jailed in Evin Prison for sentencing.

On June 21, 2020, Gholian was transferred from Evin to Bushehr Prison in exile, despite her frequent request to be relocated to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, where her family lives.
On November 16, 2022, an investigation branch of the Public and Revolutionary prosecutor office in Tehran briefed her on the charges of “spreading falsehood, blasphemy, insulting, slandering, and accusing the government officials.”

Civil rights activist Gholian, age 29, has spent a total of 80 days in solitary confinement. She went three times on a hunger strike while in prison. During her incarceration, many times, she has been denied adequate medical treatment and attacked by prisoners of violent crimes.

Samin Ehsani

Samin Ehsani
Samin Ehsani

On August 17, 2011, Baha’i citizen Samin Ehsani, age 37, a children’s rights activist, was arrested at Evin Courthouse, where she was for resolving some passport issues. After that, security forces raided and searched her house and confiscated some of her belongings, including her computer and materials related to the Baha’i faith.

Ehsani spent her first eleven days of detention in solitary confinement in Ward 2A of Evin Prison and then was relocated to a multiple-occupancy cell in this ward.

She was released on 185-million-toman bail after one month.

On June 9, 2012, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, sentenced her to five years in prison. On June 15, 2022, she was jailed in Evin prison to begin serving her sentence.

In recent years, Eshani has been engaging in educational activities by holding educational courses for Afghan children who are unable to go to school. On trial, such activities were presented as an example of the charges.

In prison, Ehsani was denied proper medical care after contracting Covid-19. Prison officials refused to dispatch her to the hospital. In total, Ehsani endured 25 days in solitary confinement.

 

Zahra Zehtabchi

Zahra Zehtabchi
Zahra Zehtabchi

Along with her husband and daughter, Zahra Zehtabchi was arrested on October 16, 2013. She was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin prison after enduring 14 months in solitary confinement in Ward 209. On December 8, 2014, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati, sentenced her to 12 years in prison for “armed insurrection against the regime (Baghi)” and “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” This verdict was reduced to 10 years on appeal by applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

After her arrest, her husband Javad Khosh-Niyat was arrested and detained for 22 days following an inquiry about his wife’s condition.
 
Zehtabchi was arrested and detained for a few days in 2009 while she was surveying people’s opinions on presidential election results on behalf of the University of Tehran.
Zehtabchi, age 53, is a mother of two daughters, aged 17 and 24. She has been on furlough only once for three days in the third year of her sentence.
She is currently spending the ninth year of her sentence. She was held for 14 months in solitary confinement in IRGC’s detention facility known as Ward 2A of Evin Prison.

Narges Mohammadi

Narges Mohammadi
Narges Mohammadi

Narges Mohammadi was arrested for the first time in 2002 and released after one week. She received one year in this legal case.

In June 2010, Mohammadi was arrested again and held in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Next month, she was released on 100-million-toman bail. Next year, she was sentenced to 11 years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The verdict was reduced to 6 years on appeal.

In 2012, Mohammadi was arrested for starting her six-year sentence. After one month in solitary confinement and four months in Zanjan Prison in exile, she was released due to her disease and penal intolerance. In May 2015, she was rearrested and jailed in the women’s ward of Evin Prison to continue serving her six-year sentence. Moreover, she faced more charges in a new legal case.

In this new legal case, she was sentenced to 16 years for “forming an illegal group known as Legam (a campaign planning steps toward abolishing the death penalty)” and “propaganda against the regime.”
Applying article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code made ten years for one charge enforceable.

Mohammadi, age 46 and a mother of two children, is denied any phone call to her husband living abroad. She suffers from pulmonary embolism and muscular paralysis. On September 29, 2018, she was granted a medical furlough for three days.

On January 12, 2019, she and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe went on a hunger strike in protest against inadequate medical treatment. After two days, they ended their hunger strike following prison officials’ promises.

On May 14, 2019, she was dispatched to a hospital to undergo surgery (hysterectomy- a surgical procedure to remove the uterus). Twelve days later, she was returned to prison although she still needed medical care.

On February 22, 2020, while serving her 16-year sentence, Mohammadi faced two new legal cases. One for “publishing political statements, holding educational classes and sit-down strike in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.” The second case was opened against her following the head of Evin Prison Gholamreza Ziaei’s complaint because he was allegedly accused of “torture and beating” by Mohammadi. In this case, Mohammadi was also accused of “disturbing prison order through singing songs aloud.”

On April 17, 2020, Mohammadi’s lawyer Mahmood Behzadirad informed the public that his client’s request for furlough and release on probation was rejected despite her suffering from mental and physical illness. Moreover, Mohammadi was held in the same with prisoners of violent crimes and had been threatened with death by one of them.
On October 8, 2020, Mohammadi was released from prison after serving five-and-a-half years.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was arrested again during a ceremony honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who was killed by security forces in Karaj during the November 2019 protests. Six days later, she was briefed on new charges and then held in solitary confinement in Evil Prison. Thereafter, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison, Varamin.

In January 2022, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to eight years in prison, 74 lashes, two years exile and other social deprivations. Following her refusal not to appeal the conviction, the Revolutionary Court announced this sentence final.
While in prison, she faced a new legal case opened by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. For this case, she received 15 months for “propaganda against the regime and monthly reporting to the police for two years. She was also banned from leaving the country, membership in civil and political groups for two years and doing cleaning service at penal labour in abandoned urban areas for four hours a day for three months.”

On April 12, 2022, prison officials denied her the medicine she had to use on a daily basis. She could receive these medicine only after 20 days.

Mohammadi, age 50, has been subjected to violence many times by prison guards and prisoners of violent crimes. Despite having heart disease, she has been denied medical care and medicine. She was held for a total of five months in solitary confinement.

Sara Ahmadi

Sara Ahmadi
Sara Ahmadi

On June 13, 2020, security forces arrested Sara Ahmadi and her spouse Homayoun Zhaveh at their rental vacation lodge in Amol, Mazandaran Province. She was released on 300-million-toman bail from Evin Prison. Zhaveh was released on a bail of 200 million tomans on August 24, 2020.

On November 11, 2020, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Ahmadi and Zhaveh to 11 and 3 years in prison, respectively.

On October 9, 2020, the Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced Ahmadi to eight years for “running illegal Zionist evangelical Christian groups.” and Zahveh to three years for the same charge. This Christian convert couple was also banned from leaving the country, membership in political parties and civil groups for two years and service work for people with disabilities four hours a day for six months.
On March 19, 2021, they were summoned to Eving courthouse to begin serving their sentences.
Christian convert Sara Ahmadi, age 44, has been held in solitary confinement for 67 days.

Sepideh Kashani

Sepideh Kashani
Sepideh Kashani

Environmental activist Speideh (Hamideh) Kashan Doost (Kashani) and seven other activists were arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in January 2018 and taken to Ward 2A of Evin Prison.

In February 2019, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court postponed the court date to next year. In November 2019, this court, headed by Judge Salavati, sentenced Kashani to six years in prison for “collaboration with the hostile U.S. government.” Next months, after enduring 700 days of detention, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin Prison to start serving her sentence.

On February 18, 2020, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided by Judge Ahmad Zargar, upheld the verdict.
 
Kashani, an environmental activist and an expert at the Parsian Wildlife Institute, age 50, was held in solitary confinement for two years. She spent eight months in solitary confinement in Ward 2A of Evin Prison at IRGC’s disposal. So far, she has been granted two times prison furloughs.
During her incarceration, she has been denied proper medical care, phone calls and visitation.


Niloufar Bayani

Niloufar Bayani
Niloufar Bayani

In January 2018, IRGC intelligence agents arrested environmental conservationist Niloufar Bayani, along with other activists, and took them to Ward 2A of Evin Prison, Tehran. During detention, she was subjected to pressure and sexual harassment to make coerced confessions against herself and other co-defendants.

After holding a few court sessions, in February 2019, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court postponed the trial to next year. In November 2019, this court, headed by Judge Salavati, sentenced her to ten years in prison for “collaboration with the hostile U.S. government.”

Next months, after being held in IRGC’s Ward 2A, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin Prison to start serving her sentence. The verdict was upheld on appeal.

In the winter of 2020, in an open letter, Bayani revealed that IRGC interrogators tortured her mentally and physically, and sexually harassed her during at least 1200 hours of interrogation. Earlier in April 2019, HRANA had disclosed sexual harassment, torture and threats against the defendants, including Bayani, to extract confessions.

Due to publishing this open letter, she was pressed with new charges on which she was briefed in Evin Courthouse.
Bayani is a former expert at the Parsian Wildlife Institute. Currently, she is serving the fifth year of her sentence in Evin Prison. She has spent two years of her ten-year sentence in Ward 2A, a detention facility at IRGC’s disposal.

Shakila Monfared

Shakila Monfared
Shakila Monfared

On August 31, 2020, security forces arrested Monfared in Tehran while she was leaving her house and took her to an IRGC detention facility.
Nine days later, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin Prison after completing interrogation. On September 14, 2020, she was released on bail from Evin Prison.

The branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to six years for “propaganda against the regime and blasphemy.” She was also ordered to do penal labor in the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad for four months. Eventually, Branch 36 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reduced her sentence to four years and two months.

On May 2, 2021, Monfared was transferred from Evin prison to Qarchak Prison in Varamin in exile. After that, she received additional two years and eight months on the charge of “membership in anti-regime groups” and a 10-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehood.”

Following a complaint filed by the Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization for their refusal to be transferred to the court from prison with handcuff, Monfared and 13 other political prisoners faced a new legal case opened by Branch 3 of Evin Courthouse. She was pressed with “disturbing public order and peace, assembly and collusion against the regime, insulting regime officials and disobeying prison officials.”

Monfared, age 29, a resident of Tehran, endured 72 days of solitary confinement. Despite suffering from digestive disease and severe stomach pain, she has been denied adequate medical care. During her incarceration, she was granted furlough only one time.
 

During this time, Monfared was deprived of visitation and phone calls for two months. She went on a hunger strike and refusal to take medicine to protest against being cohoused with prisoners of violent crimes and lack of medical care.

 

Fariba Kamalabadi

Fariba Kamalabadi
Fariba Kamalabadi

On May 14, 2008, Kamalabadi was arrested in Tehran and held in solitary confinement for 27 months in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On August 8, 2010, she went on trial with six other members of a Baha’i group known as the “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” which addressed the spiritual and social needs of the Baha’i community. Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, sentenced her to 20 years in prison. The next day after the trial, she and Mahvash Shahriari Sabet were jailed in exile in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

In May 2011, Kamalabadi was relocated to Qarchak Prison in Varamin and a week later to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. In 2011, by applying the Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, her sentence was reduced to ten years.
 
Kamalabadi suffers from lumbar disc disease. However, during her incarceration, she has been granted furlough only once. During the leave, she met Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani causing outcry among the regime’s authorities and media inside Iran.

On October 31, 2017, she was set free from Evin Prison after serving her ten-year sentence.

On July 31, 2022, security forces arrested Kamalabadi and another member of “Yaran e Iran” Mahvash Shahriari Sabet in Tehran. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced each of these Baha’is to 10 years for “running a society of the deviant sect (a terminology used by Iran’s regime to refer to the Baha’is) in the purpose of acting against national security.”

Kamalabadi, age 60, is a resident of Tehran.

Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani

Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani
Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani

In the aftermath of the 2009 Iranian election protests, Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani was arrested twice for a few hours on June 20, 2009, and February 20, 2011.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati, sentenced Hashemi Rafsanjani to six months in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” She was also banned from membership in political parties and groups, presence in media and civil activities on social media. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

On September 22, 2012, security forces arrested and jailed her in the women’s ward of Evin Prison to begin serving her sentence.

While in prison, she faced a new legal case for her protests against the women’s ward issues. Accused of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “disturbing prison order,” she was sentenced to three weeks of punitive isolation in Ward 209 and deprived of visitation.

On September 27, 2022, security forces arrested this political activist again in Tehran. She received 15 months for “propaganda against the regime” and 37 months for “blasphemy.”

Hashemi Rafsanjani, born on 7 January 1963, is a former member of the Iranian parliament from 1996 to 2000, and a member of the Executives of Construction Party. She was held for 38 days in solitary confinement.

Fatemeh Mosanna

Fatemeh Mosanna
Fatemeh Mosanna

On January 28, 2013, the Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Fatemeh Mosanna, age 53, along with her husband, Hassan Sadeghi, and her child. She was held in solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin prison for 75 days and then relocated to the women’s ward.

On January 13, 2014, she was released on bail. After that, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced the couple each to 15 years in prison on the charges of  “armed insurrection against the regime (Baghi)” and “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” through advocating People’s Mojahedin Organization (MEK). The court also ordered the seizure of their shop and house. On September 30, 2015, she was arrested and jailed in the women’s ward of Evin Prison to begin serving her sentence.

Mosanna is the mother of two children who are currently living with their grandmother. Mosanna is deprived of having a furlough despite suffering from intestinal colitis and severe migraine. Since February 2019, she could see her husband, imprisoned in Rajai Shahr Prison, only three times. The Their last visitation was in May 2019. While other inmates can have visitation regularly, she is allowed visitation only with Amin Vaziri’s permission, an assistant prosecutor overseeing prisoners. This ban violates the rules governing prison visits, entitling prisoners to have family visitation even if they are housed in separate prisons.

In March 2019, the agents of the Execution of Imam Khomeini seized this couple’s shop and then in May 2020, they seized their house.
 
Despite suffering from sciatic nerve pain, intestinal colitis and severe migraine, many times, Mosanna was denied proper medical care and treatment in a hospital outside the prison.

When Mosanna was only 13 years old, she spent three years in jail with her mother. During this period, her three brothers Ali, Mostafa and Morteza, as well as the wife of one of her brothers, were executed for the charge of “enmity against God” and “advocating for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran.”

 

Vida Rabbani

Vida Rabbani
Vida Rabbani

Vida Rabbani, a journalist and member of the Union of Islamic Iran People Party, was arrested several arrests in 2020, 2021 and 2022 over to her participation in protest gatherings regarding some issues in Afghanistan and the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which was shot by IRGC’s missile.

Branch 36 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Rabbani to five years for “blasphemy,” four years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” and eight months for “disturbing in public order.” Moreover, she was banned from civil activities on social media, gatherings and political activities. The verdict is upheld on appeal. Based on the Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years for one charge is enforceable.
Amid the 2022 nationwide protests, Rabbani was arrested again and sentenced to six years and 15 months in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”
Rabbani, age 34, was held in solitary confinement for 70 days.

Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

On September 6, 2014, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee and her husband Arash Sadeghi were arrested. She was held in an IRGC detention facility A.k.A “Safehouse” and then transferred to IRGC’s Ward 2A, in Evin Prison. After 20 days, she was released on an 800-million-toman bail.

Ebrahimi Iraee and Arash Sadeghi began serving their sentence on October 24, 2016, in Evin Prison. While serving her sentence in prison, she and Atena Daemi faced a new legal case. On April 8, 2019, she was released from prison after serving her sentence. However, she had to provide bail for the second case.

For this new legal case, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her and Daemi to three years and seven months. Moreover, both were banned from membership in political groups and parties. These verdicts were upheld on appeal. According to their lawyer, by applying the Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years and one month were enforceable to them.

On November 9, 2019, about ten agents raided her house and arrested Iraee without showing any arrest warrant. They took her to the Evin Judgement enforcement unit to begin serving her sentence in Evin Prison. The head of Evin Prison, Gholamreza Ziaei, refused to house Iraee in Evin Prison. After one day, Amin Vaziri, an assistant prosecutor overseeing prisoners, unlawfully ordered the transfer of Ireaee to Qarchak Prison, Varamin.
Since her incarceration in Qarchak Prison, Iraee has not been allowed to call or meet her spouse, Arash Sadeghi, a civil rights activist imprisoned in Rajai Shahr Prison.

On December 7, 2020, Iraee was summoned to an IRGC detention facility for interrogation. As an inmate serving her sentence, Iraee called this summons against the law and refused to go. Following her refusal, the prison guards beat her and took her forcefully to the detention facility, where she was interrogated for 43 days. After a while, she was transferred to Amol prison in exile. Meanwhile, security agents searched her house.

While she was in Amol prison, in a trial in absentia, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to one year for “propaganda against the regime.” She was also banned from leaving the country for two years and from membership in political groups. Throughout the trial, she was denied access to a lawyer.

On May 9, 2022, Iraee was set free from Amol prison. However, she was rearrested violently at her home in Tehran on September 26, 2022. During the arrest, the agents searched her house.
On November 17, 2022, Iraee was briefed on the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime” at Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse, presided by Judge, Mahmood Haj Moradi.
This political prisoner has been transferred from Qarchak Prison to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. The reason for her relocation is still unknown.
Iraee, age 42, had been held in solitary confinement for 79 days.

Malihe Nazari

Malihe Nazari
Malihe Nazari

On June 30, 2020, security forces arrested Christian convert Malihe Nazari at her home in Tehran and took her to Evin Prison. On July 22, 2020, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison, Varamin.

In early September 2020, she was released on 300-million-toman bail.

On June 7, 2021, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to six years in prison for “forming illegal groups to act against national security, disrupting national security through preaching Evangelical Christianity and creating home churches.”

On August 30, 2022, she was jailed in Evin Prison to begin serving her sentence.

Nazari, age 50, is a mother of two sons, aged 22 and 15. She has been held in solitary confinement for 20 days.

 

Mahvash Shahriari Sabet

Mahvash Shahriari Sabet
Mahvash Shahriari Sabet

On March 5, 2008, Mahvash Shahriari Sabet was arrested in Mashhad. After enduring 13 months of solitary confinement in Mashhad, she was transferred to Evin Prison, where she was held in solitary confinement in Ward 209 for 27 months. In August 2010, Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, sentenced her to 20 years in prison. The next day, she was relocated into exile in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj. In April-May 2011, she was relocated to Qarchak Prison in Varamin and the next week, to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.
During her incarceration, Shahriari Sabet has been granted a furlough only one time. In 2015, her sentence was reduced to 10 years.

On September 18, 2017, Shahriari Sabet was set free from Evin Prison after serving her ten-year sentence. During the first 20 months of her prolonged detention, she had not any access to a lawyer.
On July 31, 2022, security forces arrested her again and searched her house. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to 10 years in prison. Despite suffering from several diseases such as osteoporosis as a result of long-term incarceration, she does not have access to her required medicine. Since November 21, 2022, she has not been allowed to call her family or have visitation.

Nahid Taghavi

Nahid Taghavi
Nahid Taghavi

On October 16, 2020, security forces arrested Iranian-German national Nahid Taghavi, age 68, at her home in Tehran and took her to solitary confinement in IRGC’s Ward 2A, in Evin Prison.

After five months, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. Since her arrest, she has undergone about 1000 hours of interrogation during 80 sessions.

Many times, under different pretexts, she was sent from the women’s ward to Ward 2A and held in solitary confinement.

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to 10 years and 8 months for “running illegal groups and propaganda against the regime.”

Despite the doctor’s order for back surgery and providing bail by her family, she was denied medical leave, until July 19, 2022, when she was finally dispatched to a hospital. However, despite unfinished treatment, she was sent back forcefully to prison on November 13, 2022.

Taghavi spent, in total, 200 out of her 220 days of incarceration in solitary confinement. During her detention and imprisonment, she has been denied to make a phone call and proper medical care.

Nasrin Javadi Khezri

Nasrin Javadi Khezri
Nasrin Javadi Khezri

On May 1, 2019, at a protest gathering on International Workers’ Day before the parliament, Nasrin (Azam) Javadi Khezri, along with dozens of protestors, were arrested. 28 days later, she was released on 100-million-toman bail from Qarchak Prison.

Afterwards, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime”, and one year for “disturbing public order.” She was also sentenced to 74 lashes, a ban from using smartphones, and membership in civil/political groups and parties.

The Court of Appeals sentenced her to five years for the first above-mentioned charge. On July 2, 2022, she began serving her sentence in Evin Prison.

Javadi and 13 other political prisoners face a new legal case, following the Prisons Organization’s complaint about these prisoners’ refusal to be handcuffed during the transfer to the court. Branch 3 of Evin Prosecutor’s Office charged them with “disturbing public order, assembly and collusion against the regime, insulting the authorities and contempt of prison officials.”
Javadi, age 65, was held in solitary confinement for 50 days.

Narges Mansouri

Narges Mansouri
Narges Mansouri

On August 12, 2019, security forces arrested Narges Mansouri while she was returning home from work. After 20 days of interrogation and being held in solitary confinement in the Ward 2A of Evin prison, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

Following a three-day hunger strike, Mansouri was sent back to Evin Prison. On November 13, 2019, she was released on 500-million-toman bail until the end of legal proceedings.

In 2022, she was rearrested by security forces.

Mansouri is a civil rights activist and member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company. She, age 46, is a mother of a 12-year-old child.

Mansouri was held for a total of 72 days in solitary confinement.

 

Maryam Haji Hosseini

Maryam Haji Hosseini
Maryam Haji Hosseini

In September 2019, security forces arrested Maryam Haji Hosseini and held her in a detention facility in Tehran for about six months under interrogation. In March 2020, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

On April 22, 2020, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati, held the first court session. Facing multiple charges including “spreading corruption on earth and spying for Israel,”  Haji Hosseini was sentenced to death. On appeal, this verdict was commuted to ten years in prison and paying the money received for spying.

Haji Hosseini, age 50, has been held in solitary confinement for 412 days.

 

 

Tahereh Bajrovani

Tahereh Bajrovani
Tahereh Bajrovani

On December 21, 2022, security forces arrested Tahereh Bajrovani at her workplace in Tehran and took her to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

After 33 days, she was relocated to the women’s ward of Evin Prison after 33 days of interrogation.

The reason for her arrest and the allegation against her is still unknown.

Bajrovani’s husband, Ali Fotoohi Koohsare, was killed by regime forces during the 2019–2020 Iranian protests.

 

 

 

Masoumeh (Farah) Nasaji

The Revolutionary Court sentenced Masoumeh Nasaji to five years and four months in prison. The details of her legal case and the charges are still unknown.

Nasaji, age 60, has been held for 48 days in solitary confinement.

Negar Zarei

Negar Zarei, age 31, was sentenced to five years and one month in prison by the Revolutionary Court. The details of her legal case and the charges are still unknown.

She has been held for 21 days in solitary confinement.

 

 

Sepideh Gholian Faced New Charges in Prison

Imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was briefed on the charges of a new legal case following the complaint of the Bushehr General Directorate of Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was faced with the charges of “spreading falsehood, blasphemy, insulting and slandering government officials.”

His brother wrote on social media that prison officials have denied Gholian access to phone calls since November 19.

On November 18, 2018, Sepideh Gholian was arrested along with at least 19 others, including members of the Assembly of Representatives of Haft-Tappeh workers, and several workers’ activists by security police in Shush city. She was released on bail on December 18, 2018.

After broadcasting her forced confession as well as some other workers’ activists, including Esmail Bakhshi on state TV, they announced that the “confessions” were extracted under duress. Soon after this announcement, the security police arrested them.

On October 26, 2019, Gholian was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. On December 14, 2019, she was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Tehran Appellate Court.
On June 21, 2020, Gholian began serving her prison term in Evin prison. On March 10, 2021, she was exiled to Bushehr Prison, where she was held until she was granted leave.

On September 10 as a protest against her imprisonment in exile and away from her city. Three days later, she was hospitalised due to her hunger strike.

 

 

 

Sepideh Gholian Hospitalized Following Hunger Strike

On September 13, 2022, imprisoned civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian was hospitalised following a hunger strike. Gholian went on hunger strike on September 10 as a protest against her imprisonment in exile and away from her city. Today, on September 15, she ended her hunger strike after prison officials promised to address her request for relocation.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, following Gholian’s hunger strike, she was sent to a hospital outside Evin Prison.

An informed source told HRANA that Gholian started a hunger strike when the prison officials refused her requests for relocation to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Gholian has been separated from her family through a long distance between the cities. 

On November 18, 2018, Sepideh Gholian was arrested along with at least 19 others, including members of the Assembly of Representatives of Haft-Tappeh workers, and several workers’ activists by security police in Shush city. She was released on bail on December 18, 2018.

After broadcasting her forced confession as well as some other workers’ activists, including Esmail Bakhshi on state TV, they announced that the “confessions” were extracted under duress. Soon after this announcement, the security police arrested them.

On October 26, 2019, Gholian was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. On December 14, 2019, she was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Tehran Appellate Court.

On June 21, 2020, Gholian began serving her prison term in Evin prison. On March 10, 2021, she was exiled to Bushehr Prison, where she was held until she was granted leave.

First six months of Ebrahim Raisi as Justiciary Chief of Iran; 1000 years of prison sentences and 1500 lashes for activists

Ebrahim Raisi is a former Custodian and Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi from 2016 to 2019 and a member of so-called “death commission” during the 1988 executions which were series of state-sponsored execution of political prisoners across the country. He succeeded Sadegh Larijani as the Judiciary Chief (the head of judicial system of Iran) in 2019. Being appointed as the Judiciary Chief by the Supreme leader, Ebrahim Raisi claimed that he wants the Iranian people to taste “the sweet flavor of justice” by reforming the judicial system to bring more justice and fairness. Six months after being appointed to the new position, the verdicts of political prisoners indicate that the pressure is increased on the civil rights activists and opposition groups in Iran. During six months of Ebrahim Raisi in office, political activists were sentenced to 1,027 years in prison and 1428 lashes.  Therefore, the verdicts targeting civil rights activists and opposition groups were increased by 119% compared to a similar time period during his predecessor, Sadegh Larijani, who was in office for nine and half years. Although Larijani faced massive demonstrations such as uprisings across the country in January 2017 and August 2018, protests in the Khuzestan province, and Dervishes protests which Raisi has not faced any yet.

Statistics Comparison of Verdicts with the Former Judiciary Chief

The following is a summary of verdicts between March 8, 2019 to September 8, 2019 which was gathered and analyzed by the Department of Statistics and Publication of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI): According to statistics, during this period, both sentences against political and civil activists or years of sentences were increased. 211 political or civil activists including advocates of freedom of expression, women rights activists, syndicates activists, students, ethnicity rights activists, labor rights activists, minority rights advocates, and religion activists were sentenced by the Revolutionary Court across the country to 1027 and six months of imprisonment, 418 million and 350 thousand Tomans of fines, and 428 lashes. Out of these numbers, 966 years and 8 months in prison sentences and 30 years and 10 months are suspended prison sentences. In comparison to the same period when Larijani was the Judiciary Chief, March 8 to September 8, 2018, 278 political and civil activists were sentenced to 468 years and one month in prison, 254 million Tomans fines, and 891 lashes. This comparison is based on the numbers of individual cases but mass sentences for the arrestees of uprisings such as 232 verdicts of Gonabadi dervishes in the case of so-called “Golestan Haftom” have been excluded. Overall, these statistics indicated that although the number of arrestees has been decreased in Raisi’s term but the average number of verdicts in comparison to the same period in the Larijani’s term has been increased.

The Names of 211 Activists Who Were Sentenced to Prison Term or Lashes During Ebrahim Raeissi’s term

Kiumars Marzban, Shima Babai Zeydi, Dariush Abdar, Mahmood Masoumi, Behnam Mousavand, Saeed Eghbali, Mojgan Lali, Saeed Seyfi Jahan, Shaghayegh Makai, Nader Afshari, Anoushah Ashouri, Ali Johari, Marzieh Amiri, Ishaq Rouhi, Mohammad Saber Malek Raeissi, Shir Ahmad Shirani, Kamal Jafari Yazdi, Aras Amiri, Nejat Bahrami, Sadegh Zibaklam, Hamed Ayenehvand, Roozbeh Meshkinkhat, Mohammad Reza Aghajari, Nima Saffar, Khalil Karimi, Mehdi Moghadari, Golraki Ebrahimi Irai, Athena Daemi, Mohammad Reza Khatami, Mohammad Potaiesh, Khadijeh (Leila) Mirghafari, Reza Makian (Malek), Hashem Zeinali, Simin Eyvazzadeh, Ehsan Kheybar, Abdul Azim Arouji, Mohsen Haseli, Mohsen Shojai, Azam Najafi, Parvin Soleimani, Sharmin Yomni, Sara Saei, Arshia Rahmati, Masoud Hamidi, Ali Babai, Ismail Hosseini Koohkamarai, Farideh Toosi, Zahra Modarreszadeh, Amir Mahdi Jalayeri, Mohammad Najafi, Javad Lari, Rahim Mohammadpour, Masoud Kazemi, Sahar Kazemi, Amir Salar Davoodi, Milad Mohammad Hosseini, Abdollah Ghasimpour, Mohammad Hossein Ghasempour, Alireza Habibi, Baktash Abtin, Reza Khand Mahabadi, Keyvan Bajan, Yousef Salahshour, Davood Mahmoodi, Mohammad Asri, Siavash Rezaian, Najaf Mehdipour, Behrooz Zare, Ata’ollah Ahsani, Abbas Nouri Shadkam, Ali Bagheri, Masoud Ajloo, Behzad Ali Bakhshi, Kianoush Ghahramani, Nariman Noroozi, Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi, Amir Mahdi Sedighara, Ali Amin Amlashi, Barzan Mohammadi, Arsham Rezai, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Michael White, Abolfazl Ghadyani, Nader Fotourehchi, Farhad Sheykhi, Mardas Taheri, Aliyeh Eghdam Doost, Rasoul Bodaghi, Esmail Gerami, Javad Zolnouri, Hossein Gholami, Rahman Abed, Asghar Amirzadegani, Hamid Reza Rahmati, Eghbal Shabani, Mohammad Ali Zahmatkesh, Fatemeh Mohammadi, Bahman Kord, Sina Darvish Omran, Ali Mozafari, Leila Hosseinzadeh, Mojtaba Dadashi, Mohammad Rasoulof, Hossein Janati, Omid Asadi, Sahand Moali, Mohammad Mirzai, Bapir Barzeh, Shirko Ali Mohammadi, Keyvan Nejadrasoul, Tohid Amir Amini, Kianoush Aslani, Abbas Lesani, Mobinollah Veysi, Mojtaba Parvin, Kazem Safabakhsh, Rahim Gholami, Jafar Rostami, Aref Mohammadi, Peyman Mirzazadeh, Samko Jafari, Behzad Shahsavar, Siamand Shahsavar, Salman Afra, Shaker Maravi, Khaled Hosseini, Rasoul Taleb Moghadam, Hasan Saeedi, Hossein Ansari Zadeh, Feisal Saalebi, Saab Zahiri, Adel Samaei, Esmail Jaadeleh, Bani Naami, Omid Azadi, Rostam Abdollah Zadeh, Ali Bani Sadeh, Nasrin Javadi, Tofigh Mahmoudi, Davood Razavi, Amanollah Balochi, Farough Izadi Nia, Moein Mohammadi, Sheida Abedi, Firouz Ahmadi, Khalil Malaki, Simin Mohammadi, Bijan Ahmadi, Maryam Mokhtari, Saghar Mohammadi, Sohrab Malaki, Bahman Salehi, Sofia Mombini, Negin Tadrisi, Kheirollah Bakhshi, Shabnam Issa Khani, Shahryar Khodapanah, Farzad Bahadori, Kambiz Misaghi, Monika Alizadeh, Mino Riazati, Asadollah Jaberi, Ehteram Sheykhi, Emad Jaberi, Farideh Jaberi, Farokhlegha Faramarzi, Pooneh Nasheri, Saba Kord Afshari, Yasaman Aryani, Monireh Arabshahi, Mojgan Keshavarz, Vida Movahed, Matin Amiri, Maryam Amiri, Atefeh Rangriz, Edris Kasravi, Taher Sufi, Haleh Safarzadeh, Alireza Saghafi, Yousef Jalil, Fatemeh Bakhtari, Zaman Fadai, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Mohsen Haghshenas, Nahid Khodakarami, Raheleh Rahimipour, Alireza Kafai, Mohammad Dorosti, Salar Taher Afshar, Oldoz Ghasemi, Jafar Azimzadeh, Hossein Habibi, Hossein Ghadyani, Mir Mousa Ziagari, Sajad Shahiri, Jafar Pekand , Hamid Balkhkanloo, Ghafour Barham, Vali Nasiri, Sahar Khodayari, Amin Seybar, Esmael Bakhshi, Sepideh Gholian, Amir Amirgholi, Amir Hossein Mohammadi Fard, Sanaz Allahyari, Asal Mohammadi, Mohammad Khanifar.

It should be noted that in addition to aforementioned names, several other activists such as detained environmentalists, arrestees of the International Labor Day’s protest, Baha’i citizens, and supporters of opposition groups are waiting for their verdicts. Based on the outcome of the first six months of Raisi as the Chief Justice of Iran, the continuous increase of the verdicts in the following six months is predictable. On the other hand, according to several lawyers, Raisi is trying to implement a rule in which the appeal’s courts will be in session only after obtaining permissions from the Supreme Leader. Thus, appeals courts will acknowledge the primary verdict without reserving a chance for lawyers and convict to defend.

Ebrahim Raisi’s Background

In 1981, 20-year old Ebrahim Raisi was appointed as the prosecutor of Karaj. Later in 1985, he was appointed as the Deputy Prosecutor of Tehran. He was a member of so-called “death commission” during the 1988 political prisoners’ executions across the country. Raisi was appointed as Tehran’s prosecutor from 1989 to 1994. In 1994-1995, he was appointed as the head of the General Inspection Office. From 2004 until 2014, Raisi served as the First Deputy Chief Justice of Iran. He was later appointed as the Attorney-General of Iran in 2014-2016. He has also served as the Special Clerical Court prosecutor since 2012. He became the Chairman of Astan Quds Razavi on 7 March 2016 after the death of his predecessor Abbas Vaez-Tabasi. He is the second person to serve this office from 1979.  Raisi ran a presidential campaign in February 2017 but after losing the presidential election, he was appointed by Ali Khamenei as a member of Expediency Discernment Council.

The 1988 executions of the Iranian political prisoners were a series of state-sponsored execution of political prisoners, starting on 19 July 1988 and lasting for approximately five months. The majority of those who were killed were supporters of the Mujahedin Khalgh but supporters of other leftist factions such as Communist party were executed as well. The killings have been described as a political purge without precedent in the modern Iranian history, both in terms of scope and coverup. Different sources put the number of victims between 2500 and 30000. Most of the people who were executed had already served their sentences in prison. Hussein-Ali Montazeri, deputy of Supreme Leader of Iran between 1985-1989, named Ebrahim Raisi as one of the people who was in administration of the executions which according to Montazeri, was implemented by a four-men commission, later known as the “death committee”. According to Montazeri, the commission consisted of Ebrahim Raisi, Hossein Ali Nayyeri, Morteza Eshraghi, and Mostafa Pour Mohammadi.

Seven Labor Activists of Haft Tappeh’s Case Sentenced to 110 Years in Prison and 74 Lashes, Combined

On September 7, 2019, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Esmail Bakhshi to a 14-year prison term and 74 lashes and Mohammad Khanifar to six years imprisonment. In addition, Sepideh Gholian, Amir Amirgholi, Amir Hossein Mohammadifard, Sanaz Allahyari, and Asal Mohammadi were sentenced to 18 years in prison, each. Their trial was held in the Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, in August. Ali Nejati’s case is still open.

The collective court session for the detained labor activists of Haft Tappeh’s case was initially scheduled for August 3, 2019 at the Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran led by judge Moghiseh. However, the session was postponed to a later date and was held one-by-one.

According to the verdict issued by the Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court led by judge Moghiseh, Esmail Bakhshi was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the charge of “assembly and collusion aimed to act against national security”, two years imprisonment for “insulting the Supreme Leader”, two years imprisonment for the charge of “spreading falsehood”, one years and half in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the state”, and 1.5 years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “disrupting the public order”.

Sepideh Gholian, Amir (Ali) Amirgholi, Amir Hossein Mohammadfard, Sanaz Allahyari, and Asal Mohammadi, each were sentenced to seven years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion aimed to act against national security”,  another seven years in prison for the charge of “membership in Gam group”, one year and a half in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the state”, and two years and a half for “spreading falsehood”. According to the article 134 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, each should serve the sentence for the charge with the highest penalty which is seven years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion aimed to act against national security”.

Mohammad Khanifar was sentenced to five years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion aimed to act against national security” and a one-year prison term for the charge of “propaganda against the state”. According to the article 134 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, Mohammad Khanifar should serve the sentence for the charge with the highest penalty which is five years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion aimed to act against national security”.

The protests of the workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane industrial complex started on March 28, 2018 in front of the Shush governor compound. Subsequently, the prosecutor’s office of Shush summoned several workers. The workers went to the prosecutor’s office three days later but were informed that their session was rescheduled.  On the same day, 10 protester workers were arrested. The Haft Tappeh Sugarcane industrial complex union reported the strike of more than five hundred workers of this company from July 29, 2018 and these protests periodical continued till August 2018. The protesters demanded an end to the privatization of the company and alleged houses to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, firing the executive board members of the company, and sustain the current director of the company. In November 2018 these protests were accompanied by protests of the workers of Iran National Steel Industrial Group (INSIG) and continued till late December.  Esmail Bakhshi and Ali Nejati are two prominent labor activists of Haft Tappeh Complex who have been arrested during the protests.

Esmail Bakhshi was arrested in November and was released on bail in December 2018. He was charged with “disruption of public order”, “assembly and collusion against national security”, and “participation in forming a group”, “intended to disrupt public security”. On December 2, 2018 he reported his return to his workplace. On January 4, 2019, Esmail Bakhshi wrote an open letter and spoke out about abuse and torture he suffered in detention from the Intelligence Department authorities during his detention. After that, Sepideh Gholian, a civil rights activist who was arrested during workers protests supported him. Bakhshi and Gholian have been rearrested after the broadcast of their under-torture confessions on the national television. They have been transferred from Sheiban and Sepidar prison in Ahvaz to Evin prison in Tehran on April 28, 2018 for their court hearing.

On August 10, 2019, the trial of Sepideh Gholian was held at the Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court. In this session Sepideh Gholian claimed that she was subjected to abuse during her interrogation and was forced to confess therefore she does not approve her accusation. Sepideh Gholians attorney, Jamal Heydari Manesh, stated that his client was under pressure during her arrest and interrogation and she was falsely accused. He emphasized that defending the workers’ right is not a crime but one the rights of his client.

Ali Nejati, who is a labor activist and a member of the managing board of the labor union representing employees of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, was arrested by the security forces on November 29, 2018 on the charges of “disrupting public order”, “collusion and assembly against national security” and “cooperation in establishing a group intended to disrupt peace and security”. He was transferred to the Shush prison on December 24, 2018. He was taken to the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Baghaei Hospital due to the deteriorating health for his heart. He is suffering from heart disease and a prolonged detention had a dire health consequence and even endangered his life. In January, his family reported about his inappropriate detention condition. Nevertheless, his verdict was changed to release on bail, and he was temporary released on January 28, 2019.

The members of “Gam”, a labor right defendant magazine was arrested by the security forces. On January 16, 2019, Amir Amirgholi was arrested in city of Babolsar and was transferred to the ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was transferred to Ahvaz’s Intelligence department on February 18, 2019 and then transferred to quarantine ward of Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Currently, he is in ward four of Evin Prison. Sanaz Allahyari and her husband Amir Hossein Mohammadifar, were arrested on January 9, 2019. Mohammadifar was transferred from the ward 209 in Evin Prison to the ward 4 and Allahyari was transferred to the woman ward of Evin Prison.

Asal Mohammadi, labor activist, was arrested at her home by security forces on the charge of supporting workers’ protests on November 22. On January 5, 2019, she was released on 400 million Tomans [4000 dollars] bail. She was rearrested on August 4, 2019 by judge Moghiseh order. Reportedly, she could not afford the updated set bail of two billion Tomans [200 thousand dollars].

Mohammad Khanifar was arrested during the mass arrest on November 19, 2019 during the protest of workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane and he was released on January 26, 2019. On January 29, he was summoned to Shush’s Intelligence department and was rearrested there. He was released on bail on January 29, 2019. His trial session for another part of this case was held on February 12, 2019 in the Shush Court. In this session his incitement was about the charge of” unauthorized demonstration demanding the change of management of the Haft Tappeh Sugarcan Agro-Industry and the release of Esmail Bakhshi”.

Haft Tappeh was founded in the 1960s in the city of Shush, in Khuzestan Province. It is the oldest sugar factory in Iran. Since 2015 due to the privatization deal based on article 44 of the constitution was transferred to the present owners. It has four thousand workers and employees and is located 15 kilometers south of the Shush city.