Tag: Tehran Court of Appeals

Motahareh Goonehi’s One-Year Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, IRGC Intelligence, Motahareh Goonehi, Tehran Court of Appeals, Toomaj Salehi

Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the one-year prison sentence for Motahareh Goonehi, a suspended student from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had initially handed down the sentence.

The charges stem from Gonei’s protest against the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi and her public comments regarding the “murder and assault” of Nika Shakarami. The Court of Appeals convicted her of “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-revolutionary media.”

Goonehi was arrested by IRGC intelligence forces on May 1, 2023, and transferred to Evin Prison. She was released on bail four days later. Earlier, she and her husband, Mehdi Hadizadeh, both students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, had been temporarily suspended and transferred to Ardabil University. More recently, Goonehi was expelled from Tehran University, and her academic file was forwarded to Ardabil University.

A dentistry student and activist, Goonehi had previously been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

Mahvash Seydal Receives Suspended Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Mahvash Seydal, Tehran Court of Appeals, Ward 209 of Evin Prison, مهوش صیدال

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict against Mahvash Seydal Tadooei, an active participant in social media communities on Clubhouse, sentencing her to one year of suspended imprisonment. In addition to the suspended sentence, Seydal faces a fine, a five-year ban on leaving the country, and five years of restrictions on using social media.

Seydal has been charged with “disseminating false information to disturb public opinions.” Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, imposed the same punishment. During the trial, the act of publishing posts on social media was presented as evidence to support this charge.

On June 21, 2023, Seydal, along with several others, was apprehended by security forces in Tehran for their activities in Clubhouse. Subsequently, on July 23, she was granted release on bail from Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Court of Appeals Upholds Verdicts Against Director and Producer of “Leila’s Brothers”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Nowruzbeigi, Leila's Brothers, Saeed Roustayi, Tehran Court of Appeals

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the verdict against the renowned filmmaker and screenwriter Saeed Roustayi and producer Javad Nowruzbeigi.

Babak Paknia, their legal representative, confirmed that Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the original verdict related to their work on the movie “Leila’s Brothers,” which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced both individuals to six months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime,” accompanied by additional penalties. Approximately nine days of this prison term will be served, while the remaining sentence has been suspended for a five-year period.

In addition to the prison sentence, Roustayi and Nowruzbeigi have faced various career-limiting restrictions as filmmakers, including limitations on their interactions with fellow professionals in the industry. Furthermore, they have been directed to complete a 24-hour filmmaking course at IRIB University in Qom.

This verdict has deemed the creation of the film “Leila’s Brothers” as an act of spreading propaganda against the regime, in alignment with anti-regime media.

The 2022 drama film “Leila’s Brothers” garnered significant attention, earning a place in the competition for the Palme d’Or at the prestigious 2022 Cannes Film Festival and notably winning the International Federation of Film Critics prize.

Court of Appeals Upholds Arash Sadeghi’s Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Sadeghi, Mahsa Amini, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals

The Tehran Court of Appeals has confirmed the four-year, three-month sentence imposed on Arash Sadeghi, a prominent former political prisoner.

In this ruling, Sadeghi has been sentenced to three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” in addition to eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year and seven-month portion of the sentence will be enforceable.

Earlier in January 2023, Sadeghi had been initially sentenced to five years and eight months, alongside other penalties. A retrial was conducted on April 11, 2023, following an objection raised by Sadeghi’s legal counsel.

Arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests of 2022 on October 12, 2022, Sadeghi was subsequently taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On January 21, 2023, he was granted release on bail.

It’s worth noting that Sadeghi has a history of previous arrests and convictions.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Vahid Karimi Sentenced to Four Years, One Month, and 17 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Tehran Court of Appeals, Vahid Karimi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict sentencing Vahid Karimi to four years, one month, and 17 days in prison. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to the judgment delivered on September 7, Karimi has been handed a three-year, six-month, and one-day sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year, six-month, and one-day prison term will be executed.

Karimi’s arrest occurred on November 29, 2022, when he was apprehended by the IRGC Intelligence unit at his father’s residence in Qazvin, after which he was transferred to Tehran.

Initially, Karimi had been released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a pardon and commutation directive, with the suspension of prosecution order by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, it has come to light that, following a complaint by the prosecutor, Karimi’s pardon was revoked, and the case was referred to the Court of Appeals.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

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Children’s Rights Activist Zohreh Sayadi Imprisoned in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
children's rights activist, Evin Prison, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals, Zohreh Sayadi, Zohreh Sayyadi

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Zohreh Sayadi, a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and a resident of Tehran, was sent to Evin Prison on May 30, 2023, to commence her one-year sentence. Despite her ongoing medical treatment and deteriorating health condition, authorities proceeded with her imprisonment, disregarding the unbearable toll it will have on her well-being.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld Sayadi’s one-year sentence on Monday, May 29, immediately summoning her for the execution of this prison sentence. The following day, Sayadi appeared before the court, only to be arrested and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. The source further revealed that Sayadi is battling cancer, and her incarceration has disrupted her critical medical treatment.

On December 10, 2019, security forces apprehended Sayadi at her Tehran residence, taking her to Evin Prison. After enduring a 13-day period in custody, she was finally released on bail.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.

Appellate Court Sentences Reza Eslami to Five Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Branch 15, Eslami, Evin, Evin Prison, IRIP, Koopayed, Rasoul Koopayeh, Reza Eslami, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran Court of Appeals

Reza Eslami, an Iranian-Canadian faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University, was recently sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Court of Appeals in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court previously issued an initial verdict of seven years imprisonment and prohibition of teaching and leaving the country.

Eslami’s lawyer, Rasoul Koohpayeh, confirmed this sentence and told IRIP, “Despite the final verdict of five years imprisonment, there are still legal capacities for my client such as enforcing article 477, the request for retrial or request for parole. Also, given that he has been 18 months in detention, I will request for granting furlough.”

Mr. Eslami was indicted on the charges of “collaboration with adverse foreign countries (the U.S.A.) against the regime through participation in educational courses about the rule of law in the Czech Republic”.

The case for which Reza Eslami has been indicted, has 15 accused from whom 14 have been exonerated from the charge of ” collaboration with a hostile foreign country”.

On May 10, 2020, Reza Eslami was arrested by intelligence agents and transferred to a detention center known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After arrest, the agents inspected his office in the law faculty and confiscated his personal belongings like his cell phone and laptop. Recently, he was relocated to the public ward of Evin Prison after completing the interrogation process.

Reza Eslami is married and the father of two children, a dual Iranian-Canadian citizen, a member of the faculty and law professor at Shahid Beheshti University. Eslami has published more than 70 essays on human rights in law journals in Iran and abroad. In addition, he has translated and authored more than 10 books about human rights.

Appellate Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizens Abbas Taef and Ataollah Zafar

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Abbas Taef, Ataollah Zafar, Baha'i, Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizen, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, Freedom of religion, Judge Seyed Ahmad Zargar, Seyed Ahmad Zargar, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals

Branch 26 of the Tehran Court of Appeals recently upheld the primary court’s sentence for Baha’i citizens Abbas Taef and Ataollah Zafar.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 6, Branch 26 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided by Judge Seyed Ahmad Zargar, had sentenced each of these citizens to one year in prison on charges of “acting against national security through the administration and activity in the Baha’i sect”.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have beeen systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of 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.

Below is the picture of the AppealsCourt verdict.

Sepideh Gholiyan Sent on Leave from Bushehr Prison

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News, Prisoners, Women
Bushehr prison, Evin, Evin Prison, Haft Tappeh, Mahboube Rezaei, Sepideh, Sepideh Goliyan, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists (HRA), today, August 19, civil activist Sepideh Gholiyan was sent on a 7-day leave from Bushehr Prison.

In early August, Ms. Gholiyan’s Covid-19 test result came out positive.

Sepideh Gholiyan was first arrested in November 2018, along with at least 19 workers’ representatives and labor activists of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Co. at the Shush, and was released on bail on December of the same year.

Ms. Gholiyan was sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Tehran Court of Appeals in December 2019.

In June 2020, she was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison to endure her sentence. She was transferred from the women’s ward of Evin Prison to Bushehr Prison on March 2021, where Ms. Gholiyan and Mahboubeh Rezaei were severely beaten.

Reza Mohammad Hosseini Beaten by Doctor in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj

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Prisoners
Judge Ahmad Zargar, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Rajai-Shahr, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists (HRA), Reza Mohammad Hosseini, a political prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, was beaten by a prison doctor on May 29 after objecting to the lack of medical treatment for fellow prisoner and labor activist Ali Ishaq.

Hosseini, who is serving a seven-year sentence, was beaten, insulted, and humiliated by prison officials for refusing to wear prison uniforms, handcuffs, and shackles last November.

In May of 2019, Reza Mohammad Hosseini was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to 16 and a half years in prison on charges of conspiracy, insulting the leadership, illegally leaving the country, illegally entering the country, and disobeying the orders of agents.

The verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Ahmad Zargar in May 2020.

Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment will be imposed on him on charges of conspiracy and collusion.