Tag: Tabriz

Interrogation Sessions Held for 12 Azerbaijani-Turk Activists at Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Babaei, Amirhossein Aghaei, Araz Ebrahim-Nejad, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Davoud Shiri, Ebrahim Avaz-Zadeh, Hamed Yeganehpour, Hossein Azadi, Javad Soodbar, Mehrdad Ghaderi, Mohammadreza Movahed, Morteza Nourmohammadi, Tabriz, Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou

HRANA News Agency – Interrogation sessions for 12 Azerbaijani-Turk activists, were held at Branch 15 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tabriz.

According to HRANA, the interrogation sessions, related to a joint case involving the 12 individuals, took place separately from January 11 to January 22, 2025. These activists are: Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou, Araz Ebrahim Nejad, Davoud Shiri, Mehrdad Ghaderi, Hamed Yeganehpour, Mohammadreza Movahed, Amirhossein Aghaei, Ali Babaei, Javad Soodbar, Morteza Nourmohammadi, Hossein Azadi, and Ebrahim Ava-Zadeh

During these sessions, the defendants defended themselves against charges of “membership in an illegal group with the intent to oppose the regime” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” Additionally, Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou faced the separate charge of “forming a group with the intent to oppose the regime.”

Although Naser Razmjoo, one of the accused in the case, was named and notified of his case registration at Branch 15, he has not yet been summoned. The other activists had been summoned through individual notices prior to the sessions.

Background on the Activists

  • Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou was arrested in November 2023 in Jolfa and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz. In February 2024, he was transferred to Tabriz Prison and later released on bail. He has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to his activism.
  • Mohammadreza Movahed, Araz Ebrahim Nejad, and Davoud Shiri were arrested in September 2023 and transferred to Tabriz Prison. They were released on bail in December 2023. Both Shiri and Movahed have previously faced judicial actions due to their activism.
  • Mehrdad Ghaderi was arrested in September 2023 by security forces in Tabriz and released on bail in November 2023.
  • Morteza Nourmohammadi Nadarli (Nazarlo) was arrested in September 2023 and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz. He was later moved to Tabriz Prison but then returned to the same detention facility. In early November 2023, he was charged with “assembly and collusion to act against national security” in Shabestar Prosecutor’s Office and later faced new charges of “membership in a group to act against national security.” He was released on bail in November 2023.
  • Hamed Yeganehpour, a resident of Maragheh, was arrested in November 2023 by security forces in Tabriz and released from detention in November 28, 2023.
  • Amir-Hossein Aghaei was arrested in September 2023 in Baghmisheh, Tabriz, and released on bail in December 2023.
  • Ali Babaei and Javad Soodbar were arrested in September 2023 in Tabriz and released on bail in December 2023.
  • Hossein Azadi was arrested in September 2023 in Baghmisheh, Tabriz, and released on bail in November 2023.
  • Ebrahim Avaz-Zadeh was arrested in October 2023 in Tehran and released on bail in late-November 2023.
  • Naser Razmjoo was arrested in October 2023 in Tabriz and released on bail in late-November 2023.

This case highlights the ongoing judicial and security pressures faced by Azerbaijani-Turk activists in Iran.

Update on Student Ehsan Faridi’s Status in Tabriz Prison

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News
Ehsan Faridi, HRANA, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison, احسان فریدی

Ehsan Faridi, a student at Tabriz Technical and Vocational College, remains in limbo in Tabriz Prison nearly six months after his arrest.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Faridi has been held in limbo for about six months in Tabriz Prison. On Wednesday, December 11, his second court session was held at the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz via video conference, during which he defended himself against the charges.”

The first court session for Mr. Faridi was held on August 3, also via video conference. Additionally, in September, a separate hearing for another part of his case was held at the Tabriz Criminal Court Branch 2.

Ehsan Faridi was arrested on June 18, 2024, after reporting to the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to Tabriz Prison.

Faridi, a 21-year-old engineering student specializing in manufacturing and production, had previously been arrested on March 8, transferred to Tabriz Prison, and later released on bail after ten days.

Nima Radmanesh and Hossein Esmaeilzadeh Arrested in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hossein Esmaeilzadeh, Nima Radmanesh, Tabriz

Yesterday, December 16, Nima Radmanesh and Hossein Esmaeilzadeh, two residents of Tabriz, were arrested by security forces in the city and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, the arrests of Mr. Radmanesh and Mr. Esmaeilzadeh took place separately yesterday at their family homes in Tabriz.

As of the time of this report, no information is available about the reasons for their arrests, their current whereabouts, or the charges against them.

Nima Radmanesh, 21, has a history of prior judicial encounters and arrests.

Iraj Jamshidi Detained for Six Days Amid Uncertainty in Tabriz

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Iraj Jamshidi, Malekan, Tabriz, ایرج جمشیدی

Iraj Jamshidi has been detained for six days by security forces in Malekan and transferred to a security detention facility in Tabriz.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Jamshidi was arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents at his home in Malekan on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and was transferred to a security detention facility in Tabriz.” The source added: “Despite the family’s efforts to obtain information from security and judicial authorities in Tabriz, officials have refused to provide any clear answers regarding Iraj Jamshidi’s situation, increasing the family’s concerns.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available about the charges against him.

Iraj Jamshidi, 55, is unmarried and resides in Malekan.

Yashar Tabrizi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
aKBAR gHOLIZADEH, HRANA, Tabriz, Yashar Tabrizi, یاشار تبریزی

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Yashar Tabrizi, a civil activist, was arrested today after appearing at the News Office of the IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Tabrizi appeared at the News Office of the IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz at 8:00 AM. His family later learned of his arrest, and his wife’s mobile phone was also confiscated. So far, the reasons behind his arrest remain unclear.

On November 12, 2024, IRGC Intelligence forces searched the home of this civil activist in Tabriz. During the search, authorities instructed him to report to the News Office to answer a few questions posed by the prosecutor.

On September 13, 2023, Tabrizi was previously arrested by security forces in Tabriz. Shortly after, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, also known as Ward 240 of Evin Prison, to Ward 4 of the same prison. He was eventually released on bail on April 25, 2024.

In August 2023, Mr. Tabrizi was sentenced to one year in prison by the Shahriar Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Akbar Gholizadeh (also known as Yashar Tabrizi), a civil activist, has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activities.

 

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Jebreil Pakrooh Sentenced to Six Months for Spreading Falsehoods

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Pakrooh, HRANA, Jebreil Pakrooh, Tabriz, جبرئیل پاک روح

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, has been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by the Criminal Court in Tabriz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Pakrooh was sentenced in absentia by Branch 109 of the Second Criminal Court of Tabriz. The charges stem from “spreading falsehoods on the Internet,” for which he received a six-month prison sentence. Additionally, the court ordered him to “publishing a statement retracting his false information and issuing a formal apology through an official news outlet.”

The case against Mr. Pakrooh was initiated following a complaint filed by Ali Abbaszadeh, an official in The Law Enforcement Command of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police.

A source close to Mr. Pakrooh’s family told HRANA: “In 2021, Mr. Pakrooh was arrested over a financial case. During his detention, he was beaten by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department. He later experienced severe dizziness, prompting medical examinations that revealed he had suffered internal bleeding in his head due to blows inflicted during his detention. He underwent urgent surgery to remove the clotted blood, but the complications persist. He has now lost the ability to walk and suffers from blurred vision and motor issues in his hands.”

The source added: “After being beaten by officers at the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr. Pakrooh filed a complaint against them. Concurrently, he posted online content protesting the officers’ violence. This ultimately led to the complaint by the Legal Affairs Office of the East Azerbaijan Provincial Police against him.”

Jebreil Pakrooh, a resident of Tabriz, was arrested by security forces on Monday, May 13, 2024, and released on bail a day later.

Pakrooh, aged around 59, is the father of Farhad Pakrooh, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. He has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his own and his son’s activities.

 

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
Azam Azmoudeh, Iraj Noorseteh, Nasim Naeimi, Shiva Isakhani, Sina Aghdasi, Tabriz

On Monday, September 16, Azam Azmoudeh, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tabriz, was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence forces. With her arrest, the number of detained Baha’i citizens in Tabriz has risen to three. Sina Aghdasi and Iraj Noorseteh were also detained on the same day.

Azam Azmoudeh was arrested at her home by Tabriz Intelligence agents, who also conducted a search of her residence, confiscating several electronic devices. The circumstances surrounding her arrest remain unclear.

In addition to these arrests, the homes of two other Baha’i citizens, Shiva Isakhani and Nasim Naeimi, were also searched by Intelligence agents. However, the agents left when they found that the two were not present at their residences.

As of now, there is no information regarding the reasons for the arrests or the charges against these Baha’i citizens.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizen Sina Aghdasi Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Sina Aghdasi, Tabriz

Sina Aghdasi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tabriz, was arrested today, September 16, by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Aghdasi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “This morning, Mr. Aghdasi was arrested at his home by security forces. During the raid, the security forces searched the house and confiscated his and his family members’ mobile phones.”

No information is currently available regarding the reasons for Sina Aghdasi’s arrest or his place of detention.

This Baha’i citizen has previously been arrested due to his religious beliefs.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

A Prisoner Executed in Tabriz Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Khaled Jahangiri, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges was carried out in Tabriz Prison, as reported by Kurdpa.

The identity of the prisoner has been reported as Khaled Jahangiri, a resident of the village of “Balu” in the Urmia region, and a father of three children.

According to this report, Mr. Jahangiri was arrested about five years ago on drug-related charges and was sentenced to death by the judicial authorities.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Two Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
Abbas A'laei Aqblagh, Ali Azmoon, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

On Sunday, August 18, two prisoners, convicted of drug-related charges, were executed in Tabriz Prison, as reported by Iran Human Rights Organization.

The identities of these prisoners have been reported as Abbas A’laei Aqblagh, from the village of Aqblagh in Meshgin Shahr, and Ali Azmoon.

According to a source, A’laei Aqblagh was arrested approximately four years ago, and Ali Azmoon was arrested about two years ago on drug-related charges and were sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.