Attorney Mehdi Karimi Farsi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, an attorney, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, and communicated to the attorney today, he has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

On February 5, 2024, a court hearing was held for Mr. Karimi Farsi and two other attorneys in the same court.

Previously, he had been summoned to the court after receiving a notice to defend himself against the charge.

Karimi Farsi, an attorney and member of the Central Bar Association, gained widespread attention in August 2023 when he staged a protest march through a lengthy route in Tehran to advocate for the independence of the Bar Association. His demonstration resonated strongly with attorneys across Iran, sparking significant discussion and support within the legal community.

Political Prisoner Afshin Baymani Transferred from Ghezel Hesar Prison to Hospital

Afshin Baymani, a political prisoner held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, was transferred to a hospital outside the prison yesterday, August 28, following a deterioration in his health and symptoms of a heart attack.

This political prisoner, serving a life sentence and suffering from coronary artery disease, has long been deprived of adequate medical services and access to specialized treatment centers due to obstruction by prison authorities. Ultimately, last evening, he was transferred to a hospital outside the prison after showing symptoms of a heart attack.

On July 28, 2024, Mr. Baymani fainted and fell in prison due to a severe drop in blood pressure. He suffered a head injury and bleeding after hitting a wall. After examining him, the prison nurse emphasized the necessity of transferring him to a hospital for an angiography procedure. Mr. Baymani requested medical leave to receive treatment under the care of his specialist doctor, but his request was denied by prison authorities as before.
Previously, on January 29, 2024, Baymani was transferred to Rajai Shahr Hospital in Karaj due to poor physical condition but was returned to prison the next day without receiving specialized medical care. At the hospital, only a few tests, including an echocardiogram and a stress test, were conducted, and heart and blood pressure medications were prescribed. He had previously been granted medical leave for open-heart surgery, but was arrested in Isfahan and returned to prison.

Also in November 2023, this political prisoner was granted medical leave from Ghezel Hesar Prison for treatment and medical care after posting bail. However, on December 21 of the same year, he was re-arrested for unknown reasons and transferred to Asadabad Prison in Isfahan. He was eventually transferred back to Ghezel Hesar Prison in January of 2024.

Baymani, father of two children, was arrested in September 2000 and was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (moharebeh).” This sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment after six years. Since then, he has been serving his sentence in various prisons.

Afshin Baymani has been suffering from coronary artery disease since July 2017. In July 2021, he underwent heart angioplasty surgery at Amirabad Hospital in Tehran.

The denial of adequate medical treatment for political prisoners in Iran constitutes a form of torture and a grave violation of human rights. This systematic and deliberate deprivation is often employed as a tool for political repression, aiming to intimidate and silence dissent. In numerous instances, prison authorities not only withhold essential medical care but also obstruct the transfer of critically ill prisoners to specialized hospitals, further endangering their lives.

Report on the Latest Status of Neda Fotoohi in Evin Prison

Neda Fotoohi, a prisoner of conscience, is serving her sentence in Evin Prison. She has been sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Initially, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Ms. Fotouhi to three years in prison for “propaganda against the regime and membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh group (believing in interuniversal mysticism),” and to three years and eight months for “assembly and collusion against national security through her presence and encouragement of others in Mahsa Amini’s protests and its anniversary.”
Mohammad-Zaman Daryabari, the defense lawyer for this political prisoner, also published an update on the latest status of her case, stating: “Branch 39 of the Supreme Court issued a retrial request for my client, Fotouhi. However, Branch 54 of the same rank Revolutionary Court rejected Ms. Fotoohi’s retrial request, and she was sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison.”

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, which is three years and eight months in prison, was enforceable for her.

Neda Fotoohi, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces at her friend’s house in September-October 2023.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Khashayar Safidi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Khashayar Safidi, an expelled student of the Tehran University of Art, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a verdict issued on July 2 by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Safidi’s lawyer the following days, Safidi was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The first court session regarding Mr. Safidi’s charges was held on May 27, and the second session was held on June 30. The court addressed charges of propaganda against the regime and “spreading false information about the death of Nika Shakarami, one of the victims of the 2022 nationwide protests, on social media.”

This former student of Tehran University of Art announced in a video that he had not posted anything on his personal page regarding Nika Shakarami. The charge of propaganda against the regime pertains to his three-day sit-in strike in support of Toomaj Salehi.

On May 2, 2024, Safidi was summoned to branch 3 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. He was eventually released on bail after appearing at the prosecutor’s office and being informed of the charges against him.

Late last Hijri year, Safidi was expelled from the university. Previously, he had been temporarily suspended for one term by the disciplinary committee.

Khashayar Safidi, aged around 32, was a master’s student in music at Tehran University of Art.

Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari Imprisoned in Evin Prison on Political Charges

Mandana Karimi Bakhtiari, a political prisoner, is serving her sentence in Evin Prison. She was previously sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Karimi, around 55 years old, who was previously sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, was arrested by security forces at her private residence on June 10th to serve her sentence and was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.”

According to information received by HRANA, charges against this political prisoner include “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in opposition groups to act against national security.”

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Media Activist Hossein Razzagh Sentenced to 74 Lashes on Appeal

The lashing sentence for Hossein Razzagh, a media activist, has been upheld by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals. He was initially sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 74 lashes for “absence and failure to report to Amol Prison.”

In April this year, while Razzagh was serving his sentence in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was sentenced to 74 lashes by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. A source close to Mr. Razzagh’s family told HRANA that the reason for this sentence was “absence and failure to report to Amol Prison.”

Razzagh was released from Evin Prison on June 10. Emtedad Online, which reported his release, did not provide any details about the manner and conditions of his release.

On August 22, 2022, Razzagh was arrested by security forces in Amol concerning his previous case. In September of 2022, he was charged with a new case against him and was sentenced to four years and three months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in April 2023. Additionally, he was charged in June 2023 in another case.

Hossein Razzagh has previously faced arrest and judicial actions for his activities.

Overview of Political Prisoner Elahe Fooladi’s Legal Situation in Evin Prison

Elahe Fooladi, a political prisoner, is currently serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison, following a conviction by the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

A source close to the Fooladi family informed HRANA that she has been in the Women’s ward of Evin Prison since December 12, 2023.

Fooladi, approximately 46 years old and originally from Khalkhal, has previously experienced imprisonment. In early 2020, she and her husband were detained by security forces and held in Evin Prison until her conditional release later that summer.

Journalist Ruhollah Nakhaei Begins Serving Two-Year Sentence Despite Pardon

Journalist Ruhollah Nakhaei has initiated his two-year sentence, despite being included in the “general commutation and pardon” directive issued in the winter of 2023, as stated by his lawyer, Parto Borhanpour.

Arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, Nakhaei was convicted by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “assembly and collusion against national security” (two years) and “propaganda against the regime” (seven months). The verdict, upheld on appeal, is now enforceable for two years, per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Baha’i Educator Keyvan Rahimian Receives Nine-Year Prison Sentence

Keyvan Rahimian, a Baha’i citizen and lecturer at an online university affiliated with the Baha’i community, has been sentenced to nine years in prison, accompanied by a fine and a six-year deprivation of social rights.

The verdict, issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, outlines a five-year sentence for “educational activities and propagating against Sharia Islam” and a four-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” Alongside the prison term, Rahimian has been prohibited from exercising social rights and ordered to pay a fine.

Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code stipulates that five years of the prison term will be enforced, as it imposes the maximum prison term for one charge from multiple charges.

Rahimian was apprehended by security forces in Tehran on July 18, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin prison. His detention has been extended for four consecutive months, with Rahimian granted leave from November 25 to 29, 2023, to attend his mother’s funeral.

This is not the first time Rahimian has faced legal repercussions for his activism. In August 2017, he was released from Rajai Shahr Prison after completing a five-year sentence. The current sentence raises concerns about the ongoing suppression of Baha’i individuals engaged in educational and community activities.

Political Prisoner Majid Tavakoli Faces Upheld Six-Year Sentence Following Retrial

Branch 54 of the Court of Appeal in Tehran has affirmed a six-year sentence for political prisoner Majid Tavakoli.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA that Tavakoli was sentenced to six years in prison, along with internet and social media usage restrictions for two years, a two-year ban from residing in Tehran, and a travel ban for two years.

Tavakoli received notification of this verdict on January 29.

Previously, the Supreme Court accepted Tavakoli’s request for a retrial, transferring the case to another court branch. Notably, Tavakoli, a student activist and former political detainee, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 23, 2022, during the Mahsa Amini Protests. He was released on bail on December 19, 2022.

Subsequently, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court imposed a six-year sentence, which was upheld on appeal. On October 7, 2023, Tavakoli commenced serving his sentence in Evin Prison.

Tavakoli’s history of arrests and convictions is rooted in his activism.