Tag: Tabriz

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar and Rap Singer Milad Jalili Sentenced to a Total of 14 Months in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Milad Jalili, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Tabriz Revolutionary Court

In a recent legal development, the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz has handed down a combined 14-month prison sentence to Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Milad Jalili, a rap singer.

As per the verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Taher Afshar has been sentenced to six months for “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili has received eight months for “propaganda against the regime through performing a political rap music supporting convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili has been acquitted of the charge of “acting against national security through inciting people to violence and riots.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Arrested in Urmia

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Iran Cyber Police, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Urmia

Urmia, December 19, 2023 – Iran Cyber Police detained Azerbaijani-Turk activist Salar Taher Afshar in Urmia, subsequently placing him in custody at a police station in Tabriz.

A reliable source close to Afshar’s family revealed to HRANA that the activist was arrested at his father’s residence by Iran Cyber Police. According to the source, the agents exerted pressure on the family, warning them not to disclose details of their son’s arrest.

The grounds for Afshar’s arrest and the specific charges against him remain undisclosed at this time.

It is pertinent to note that Afshar has a history of previous arrests and judicial confrontations stemming from his activism.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Peyman Ebrahimi Receives Prison Sentence

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Judge Hamlbar, Peyman Ebrahimi, Tabriz

The Public and Revolutionary Court of Tabriz has sentenced Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Peyman Ebrahimi to 22 months and 17 days in prison.

Presiding over the court, Judge Hamlbar mandated that Ebrahimi serve seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime” and 15 months and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Notably, six months of this prison term have been suspended for five years.

If the verdict stands after the appeal process, 15 months and one day will be imposed on Ebrahimi.
His arrest on August 26, 2023, in Tabriz led to his release on bail on October 25.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Hadi Gholizadeh Arrested in Tabriz

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News, Religious Minorities
Hadi Gholizadeh, Tabriz

On December 7, security forces apprehended Azerbaijani-Turk activist Hadi Gholizadeh in Tabriz, moving him to an undisclosed location.

Gholizadeh has been reportedly arrested in a cemetery in Tabriz. The reason for his arrest, his whereabouts, and the charges against him are unknown at this time.
This incident sheds light on the broader issue of the suppression of ethnic activists, raising serious concerns about the protection of civil liberties and human rights in Iran.

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Detained for Over 70 days in Legal Limbo

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nour-Mohammadi, Shabestar, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Naradrli (Nazarlu) remains in a state of legal uncertainty, having been detained for more than 70 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz.

According to a source close to his family, HRANA learned that Nour-Mohammadi has recently been formally charged by the Public and Revolutionary Court. Additionally, the bail required for his temporary release has been escalated to 700 million Tomans, approximately 14,000 dollars.

Initially accused of the political charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” Nour-Mohammadi now faces an additional legal challenge, being charged with “membership in a group to act against national security.”

On September 9, 2023, Nour-Mohammadi, a resident of Shabestar, was apprehended by security forces at the National Organization for Civil Registration in Sufian city and subsequently detained in Tabriz Prison. After a period, he was moved to a detention facility.

Nour-Mohammadi had publicly revealed that the Civil Registration office had denied issuing a birth certificate for his newborn child with the name “Hunai.” This denial was attributed to the Iranian regime’s stringent restrictions on name selection, particularly those with ethnic or foreign origins.

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Two Inmates Executed in Karaj and Tabriz for Murder and Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Ebrahim Zamharir, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison, Tabriz

On Wednesday, November 22, two inmates faced execution for their involvement in murder and drug offenses, with one execution taking place in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj, and the other in Tabriz Prison.

According to Etemad Online, the execution in Qezel Hesar prison involved a man convicted of murder. In April 2011, he fatally attacked his brother’s wife. The identities of the individuals involved were not disclosed, but it was mentioned that his brother received a prison sentence for aiding in the murder.

Simultaneously, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Ebrahim Zamharir, aged 48 and a father of one, in Tabriz Prison for drug offenses. Zamharir had been sentenced to death three years ago.

Execution of Three Inmates in Kashan and Tabriz

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Executions, News
Kashan, Khodadad Rahimi, Saber Alikhani, Tabriz

On November 8, officials at Kashan Prison carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization.

The individuals executed have been identified as Khodadad Rahimi, 40, and Saber Alikhani, 31. Rahimi and Alikhani received their death sentences three and two years ago, respectively.

Additionally, Rokna reported the recent execution of an inmate for murder in Tabriz Prison last week. The report did not disclose the identity of the individual. In July-August 2019, he committed murder by fatally stabbing someone during a group brawl.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Hamed Yeganeh Pour Detained in Tabriz

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Hamed Yeganeh Pour, Tabriz

On November 7, 2023, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Hamed Yeganeh Pour was apprehended by security forces in Tabriz and subsequently transported to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility within the city.

Today, on November 8, Yeganeh Pour managed to contact his family, as relayed by a source close to them, revealing his detention at the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility. It’s crucial to note that Yeganeh Pour has a pre-existing heart condition, which makes any stressful situation a potential threat to his health.

At present, the specific reasons behind his arrest and the nature of the allegations against him remain undisclosed, raising concerns regarding his well-being and legal status.

Student Parastoo Faridi Arrested in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other, Students
Parastoo Faridi, Tabriz

On November 4, 2023, Parastoo Faridi, a student at the University of Tabriz, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

Faridi was detained at her father’s residence in Tabriz. During the apprehension, intelligence agents conducted a search of their home and seized some of her personal belongings.

Parastoo Faridi is pursuing her studies in industrial engineering at the University of Tabriz.

Naser Razmjoo Arrested in Ardabil, Current Charges Unknown

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ardabil, Naser Razmjoo, Tabriz

On Saturday, October 21, security forces apprehended Naser Razmjoo (Razmju) in Ardabil, subsequently relocating him to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Tabriz.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his arrest, Razmjoo managed to contact his family, notifying them of his detention.
As of now, the reasons behind Razmjoo’s arrest and the allegations against him remain undisclosed.