Tag: Taher Naghavi

Following Sentence Consolidation, Vadood Asadi Sentenced to Eight Years and One Month in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ayaz Seifkhah, Azerbaijani Turk activist, HRANA, Karam Mardaneh, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi, Vadood Asadi

HRANA – Following the acceptance of a request to consolidate sentences, the Gilan Province Court of Appeals revoked the previous convictions of Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, and sentenced him in a new ruling to eight years and one month in prison. He had previously been sentenced to a total of six years and three months of imprisonment in two separate cases.

According to HRANA, after accepting the request for sentence consolidation, Branch 11 of the Gilan Province Court of Appeals, presided over by Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh and Esmaeil Rostami Taromsari, annulled Mr. Asadi’s previous sentences and issued a new verdict.

Under this ruling, Mr. Asadi was sentenced to:

• Six years and one month in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security”;
• Eight months in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime and opposition groups”;
• Sixteen months in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader”.

Additionally, a hearing concerning charges brought against Mr. Asadi in a case opened against him during his imprisonment was held on April 25, 2026. Mr. Asadi, along with Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, and three other defendants in the case, refused to attend the court session.

In March 2026, an interrogation session for Taher Naghavi, a lawyer, and imprisoned Azerbaijani-Turk activists Morteza Parvin-Joda, Vadood Asadi, Ayaz Seifkhah, Karam Mardaneh, and Araz Aman was held via videoconference. During the session, investigator Nasser Jalayi formally charged the prisoners with propaganda against the regime. Their hunger strike, publication of protest statements, and support for the nationwide protests of December 2025 were cited as the reasons for opening the case.

In May 2025, Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was sentenced by Branch 11 of the Gilan Province Court of Appeals to a total of five years and six months in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime, membership in anti-regime groups, and insulting the Supreme Leader.

Earlier, in late October 2024, in a separate case, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, sentenced Mr. Asadi to four years of discretionary imprisonment on charges of assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security. This prison sentence was later covered by an amnesty and reduced to one year of imprisonment. After he accepted the verdict, one-fourth of his remaining sentence was further reduced, and he was ultimately sentenced to nine months in prison.

Four Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested by Security Forces

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Behzad Dashti, Evin Prison, HRANA, Taher Naghavi, Vadood Asadi, Yousef Kari

HRANA – On Tuesday, November 11, Azerbaijani-Turk activists Abbas Lesani (Lisani), Ali Kheirjoo, Yousef Kari, and Behzad Dashti were arrested in front of Evin Prison and taken to an unknown location. They had traveled to Tehran to support the sit-in held by families of several political prisoners detained in this prison.

According to HRANA, the arrests were carried out today by security forces outside Evin Prison. These Azerbaijani-Turk activists had gone to Tehran in solidarity with the families of Taher Naghavi and Vadood Asadi, political prisoners currently held in Evin Prison.

So far, there is no information on the detainees’ whereabouts or the charges brought against them. Recently, Vadood Asadi and Taher Naqavi were transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison as a punitive measure following their hunger strike.

Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Yousef Kari, and Behzad Dashti have previously faced arrests and judicial proceedings due to their activism.

Political Prisoners Face Overcrowding and Unsafe Conditions After Transfer from Evin to Greater Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Prisoners
Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Abolfazl Ghadiani, Evin Prison, Greater Tehran Penitentiary, Hossein Shanbehzadeh, HRANA, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, Mai Sato, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar, Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi

HRANA News Agency – Following Israeli airstrikes on June 23 that directly targeted Evin Prison, Iranian authorities have initiated the mass transfer of inmates to other prisons across Tehran Province. Most political prisoners from Ward 4 of Evin have been moved to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary, where they now face harsh and deteriorating conditions, including extreme overcrowding, lack of access to clean drinking water, and the absence of separation between inmates by the nature of their charges.

HRANA has learned that political prisoners including Morteza Parvin, Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, Taher Naghavi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Abolfazl Ghadiani, Mohammad Bagher Bakhtiar, and Hossein Shanbehzadeh are among those transferred.

A source close to Taher Naghavi reported that he is being held in a hall with at least 120 inmates—despite the space being designed for no more than 40 people—and is not separated from those convicted of non-political offenses.

Additional reports highlight the facility’s inadequate water supply. Inmates have described the available water as too salty to drink. According to a source close to Morteza Parvin, he and Mahmoud Ojaghlou were moved late Monday night without being allowed to bring any of their personal belongings.

Family members have also confirmed these developments. Ahmad Ghadiani and Alireza Bakhtiar, sons of Abolfazl Ghadiani and Mohammad Bagher Bakhtiar, respectively, shared on social media that their fathers had been transferred. Alireza noted that many inmates now sleep on the floor and that only one bottle of mineral water is provided for every four political prisoners.

Fatemeh Alvandi, the mother of Mehdi Mahmoudian, told Emtedad News Agency that the detention conditions are extremely poor. She reported overcrowded quarters, unsanitary facilities, and a lack of basic necessities. According to her, her son and others lacked even food containers upon arrival, and the lack of hygiene products is now threatening inmates’ health.

Abbas Shanbehzadeh confirmed that his brother, Hossein, was also among those moved from Ward 4 of Evin to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary.

UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, has expressed concern about the treatment of these transferred inmates. She also noted receiving reports of arbitrary arrests and expedited trials lacking due process, particularly since the onset of the Israeli strikes.

The June 23 airstrikes struck Evin’s entrance gate and the judiciary building within the prison compound. Several conscripted soldiers were reportedly killed or injured, along with some prison staff and inmate workers who were gardening at the time. Following the attack, Iran’s Prisons Organization confirmed the transfer of Evin inmates to other facilities in the province.

Court of Appeals: 10 Political Defendants Sentenced to a Total of 81 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Araz Aman Zeynabad, Ayaz Seyfkhah, Baqer Haji Zadeh, Fatemeh Atash, Hassan Ebrahimi, Karam Mardaneh, Morteza Parvin, Saeed Minaei Gheshlagh, Salar Taher Afshar, Taher Naghavi

HRANA News Agency – Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld the sentences against nine Azerbaijani-Turk activists and attorney Taher Naghavi. Judge Abolghasem Salavati had originally sentenced these individuals in the preliminary trial to a total of 81 years in prison and additional penalties.

Summary of the Sentences:

According to the ruling, issued by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals on January 15, 2025, and recently communicated to the defendants:

  • Ayaz Seyfkhah: 14 years in prison (9 years for espionage and 5 years for conspiracy, with the 9-year sentence enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code).
  • Araz Aman Zeynabad and Baqer Haji Zadeh Mazraeh: Each sentenced to 13 years (8 years for espionage and 5 years for assembly and collusion against national security, with the 8-year sentence enforceable).
  • Karam Mardaneh Mostamali Beiglou: 11 years (6 years for espionage and 5 years for assembly and collusion against national security, with the 6-year sentence enforceable).
  • Taher Naghavi and Morteza Parvin Joda: Each sentenced to 6 years (5 years for assembly and collusion against national security and 1 year for propaganda against the regime, with the 5-year sentence enforceable). Additional penalties for Naghavi include a two-year travel ban and deprivation of social and political rights.
  • Salar Taher Afshar, Saeed Minaei Gheshlagh, and Fatemeh Atash Khiavi: Each sentenced to 5 years for “assembly and collusion against national security”. (Atash Khiavi’s and Minaei Gheshlagh’s sentences include partial suspensions).
  • Hassan Ebrahimi: 3 years for conspiracy, with a two-year suspension for part of the term.

Arrest and Detention Background:

These individuals were arrested on February 6-7, 2024, in various cities, including Tabriz, Karaj, Ardabil, and Urmia, by security forces.

  • Taher Naghavi was detained in Karaj on February 6, 2024.
  • Activists Araz Aman, Baqer Haji Zadeh, and Ayaz Seyfkhah were arrested in Tabriz and later transferred to Evin Prison.
  • Karam Mardaneh was detained in Ardabil on February 6, 2024.
  • Salar Taher Afshar was arrested in Urmia and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was released on bail on February 28, 2024.
  • Saeed Minaei was detained after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Bonab and later released on bail on March 13, 2024.

Legal Process:

The initial verdicts were issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, known for his harsh rulings against political and civil rights activists.

This case highlights ongoing pressures on political activists and their legal representatives in Iran.

Court of Appeals Upholds 6-Year Sentence and Additional Penalties for Taher Naghavi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Evin Prison, Taher Naghavi, طاهر نقوی

HRANA News Agency – The Tehran Court of Appeals Branch 36 has upheld the 6-year prison sentence and supplementary penalties for Taher Naghavi, a lawyer currently held in Evin Prison. Previously, Judge Abolghasem Salavati sentenced him to imprisonment along with a 2-year ban on leaving the country, deprivation of social rights, and membership in political parties.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the Appeals Court recently upheld Mr. Naghavi’s sentence, which was officially communicated to his defense lawyer yesterday. He was sentenced to 1 year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and 5 years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” His additional penalties include a 2-year travel ban, deprivation of social rights, and prohibition from joining political parties.

A source close to Mr. Naghavi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “One of the reasons cited by the Appeals Court for affirming the initial ruling was the support Mr. Naghavi received from foreign news networks and TV stations.”

In late October of this year, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, convicted Naghavi of the charges.

Naghavi was arrested on February 6, 2023, by security forces and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

It is noteworthy that Naghavi, who suffers from prostate issues, spinal problems, and joint pain in his hands and knees, has been denied adequate medical care during his detention.

Additionally, in July 2024, prison officials filed a new case against him, accusing him of “disrupting public order” and “insulting prison officials.”

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Morteza Parvin and Taher Naghavi Sentenced to a Total of 12 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolqasem Salavati, HRANA, Morteza Parvin, Reza Asadi Naderabadi, Taher Naghavi, Taher Naqavi

Morteza Parvin, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Taher Naghavi (Naqavi), a defense attorney, have been sentenced to a combined total of 12 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to the ruling issued by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, both individuals received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” In addition, Mr. Naghavi has been banned from leaving the country for two years and stripped of social rights and political party membership for two years.

A source close to Naghavi’s family informed HRANA that he was recently scheduled to be transferred to a hospital for medical examinations. However, the transfer was blocked when he refused to wear a prison uniform and use handcuffs and leg cuffs.

Both Mr. Parvin and Mr. Naghavi were arrested by security forces on February 6, 2024, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

On July 13, a hearing was held to address the charges against Mr. Naghavi at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. His final court session took place in late September. Recently, Naghavi faced new charges initiated by prison authorities, including “disruption of public order” and “insulting prison officers.” A few weeks ago, an officer at Evin Prison, identified as Reza Asadi Naderabadi, physically assaulted Mr. Naghavi following a verbal altercation, after which Naghavi was transferred to Evin’s quarantine section.

In late May, a court session was also held to examine the charges against Parvin related to the joint case with Naghavi at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Lawyer Taher Naghavi Arrested in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karaj, Taher Naghavi

On February 6, attorney-at-law Taher Naghavi was arrested by security forces in Karaj and subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to Naghavi’s family confirmed to HRANA that the arrest took place at one of his friends’ residences in Karaj. The reasons behind his arrest, the location of his confinement, and the charges against him are currently unknown.