Tag: Tehran

Journalist Hadi Kasaie-Zadeh Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hadi Kasaie-Zadeh, Qodousi Courthouse, Tehran

Tehran, December 19, 2023 – Security forces detained Seyed Hadi Kasaie-Zadeh after his appearance at Qodousi Courthouse, transferring him to an undisclosed location.

As per a source close to the journalist’s family, Kasaie-Zadeh is facing charges of “disseminating false information, libel, and disturbing public opinions.”

The arrest is purportedly linked to Kasaie-Zadeh’s criticism, expressed in a social media post, for which he had been summoned earlier.

It’s notable that this isn’t the first time Kasaie-Zadeh has found himself in a judicial confrontation.

Sajjad Iman-Nejad Receives an Eleven-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Prisoners
diya, Mohammad-Reza Amuzad, moharebeh, Sajad Iman-Nejad, Sajjad Iman-Nejad, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced Sajjad Iman-Nejad to eleven years in prison for his alleged involvement in the 2022 nationwide protests. In addition, he has been ordered to pay a wergild (Diya) of 2.7 billion tomans (approximately 54,000 dollars).

The ruling, issued by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amuzad, who presided over the court, is as follows: ten years of imprisonment in exile in Iranshahr County for “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and one year in prison, including the detention period, for “assault with a cold weapon.” Iman-Nejad is also required to pay a 2.7 billion tomans wergild to seven plaintiffs, all of whom are police officers.

A source close to Iman-Nejad’s family has revealed that three out of the seven plaintiffs confessed that Iman-Nejad never physically assaulted them, but they are unwilling to withdraw their complaints.

“Iman-Nejad is suffering from a lumbar disc issue, for which he had to be hospitalized several times during detention. However, he did not receive medical care in the hospital under the excuse of a lack of available beds. Currently, prison officials have refused to transfer him to an external hospital. The lumbar disc problem has made enduring incarceration extremely challenging for him.”

Iman-Nejad, a 32-year-old resident of Tehran originally from Ardabil and a graduate in architecture, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on October 8, 2022, and subsequently transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary. After some time, he was relocated to Evin Prison.

Workers’ Rights Advocate Foad Fathi Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Evin Prison, Foad Fathi, Sanandaj, Tehran, Workers' Rights Advocate

Foad Fathi, an advocate for workers’ rights, has been handed a four-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

Notification from Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court outlined Fathi’s four-year imprisonment for charges including “membership in anti-regime groups, acting against national security, and propaganda against the regime.” Alongside the prison term, Fathi has been subjected to a two-year travel ban, prohibiting him from leaving the country. He is also restricted from participating in political or civil groups and residing in Tehran and its suburbs during this period.

Fathi was apprehended by security forces in Tehran and subsequently confined in Evin Prison on November 4, 2023. A resident of Tehran with roots in Sanandaj, Fathi has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism in championing workers’ rights.

Three Female Political Prisoners Facing Charges of Armed Rebellion (Baghi)

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Evin Courthouse, Evin Prison, Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, Nasim Gholami Fard, Tehran

On December 9 at Evin Courthouse, political prisoners Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, along with Nasim Gholami Fard, were indicted on charges of “armed rebellion (Baghi),” potentially carrying severe consequences. Their alleged collaboration with a political opposition party has been presented as evidence for this charge.

Former political prisoners Taghipour and Farsi were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21, while Gholami was apprehended in Tehran on accusations of collaborating with a political opposition party and subsequently detained in Evin Prison. The extent to which their legal cases are interconnected remains unclear.

During her incarceration, Gholami initiated a hunger strike, which concluded after receiving promises from authorities. Notably, in Iran’s legal system, the charge of Baghi carries potential penalties such as the death penalty, amputation of the right hand and left leg, and exile.

Both Taghipour and Farsi have a documented history of prior arrests and convictions related to their activism. The severity of the charges underscores the challenges faced by political prisoners in Iran’s judicial landscape.

Ariana Akbari Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ariana Akbari, Armita Garavand, Behesht-e-Zahra, Tehran

On December 6, 2023, security forces apprehended Ariana Akbari, a resident of Tehran, immediately after his participation in the memorial ceremony for Armita Geravand on the 40th day since her passing. Akbari was escorted to an undisclosed location by the arresting agents.

HRANA’s reports confirm that the arrest occurred at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery where the commemoration ceremony had been held.

It is noteworthy that Akbari had previously experienced arrest during the nationwide protests in 2022.

On October 1, 2023, Armita Garavand, a 17-year-old student, sustained a head injury while on her way to school at a metro station in Tehran. She was hospitalized and tragically passed away after 28 days in the hospital. Iranian authorities claim that she suffered a head injury due to a “pressure drop” and falling to the ground. However, some media outlets and human rights groups consider her a victim of harassment and an altercation with a hijab enforcement officer.

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Reza Aghdasi Sentenced to Four Years and Three Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iran Khodro, Karaj, Reza Aghdasi, Tehran

Reza (Gholamreza) Aghdasi has received a verdict of four years and three months for political charges from Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently jailed in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Iman Afshari delivered a three-year and seven-month sentence (including the detention period) to Aghdasi for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Following being fired from Iran Khodro, an Iranian automaker company, Aghdasi was arrested on October 24, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin Prison after being summoned to Evin Courthouse.

According to a source close to his family, Aghdasi, aged 57 and a resident of Karaj, is grappling with hearing impairment and other health issues. His residence was searched during the 2022 nationwide protests, resulting in the confiscation of some of his belongings.

Atefeh Chaharmahalian’s Suspended Sentence Lifted on Appeal, Resulting in Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atefeh Chaharmahalian, Evin, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeal has amended Atefeh Chaharmahalian’s initial suspended sentence, now imposing two years and eight months of imprisonment.

The original suspension for five years was revoked at the request of the Evin prosecutor’s office.
In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which mandates the enforcement of the harshest punishment in cases of multiple charges, Chaharmahalian will serve two years in prison.

Arrested in October 2022 amid nationwide protests, this poet and children’s rights activist was released on bail in December 2022. The Tehran Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced her to a fine and two years for “disseminating false information to disturb public opinion” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The original verdict, including a five-year suspension, has now been replaced.

In addition to her imprisonment, Chaharmahalian faces various restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country, limitations on using cell phones and social media, and prohibition from joining political parties or civil groups. Furthermore, she is mandated to conduct research on the topics of “physical and intellectual security, harm to peace, and the corruption and crimes of the Pahlavi regime.”

Actress Hanieh Tavassoli Receives Suspended Imprisonment and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hanieh Tavassoli, HRANA, Maryam Kian Ersi, Tehran, هانیه توسلی

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed actress Hanieh Tavassoli a six-month prison sentence and a 15 million-toman fine. The prison term has been suspended for three years.

The court found Tavassoli guilty of “dissemination of false information to disturb public opinion,” as announced by her lawyer, Maryam Kian Ersi.

On October 29, 2023, the Tehran Prosecutor indicted eight cinema practitioners, including Tavassoli, for disseminating false information. Tavassoli was apprehended by security forces on September 16 of this year and subsequently released on bail the following day.

Three Political Defendants Sentenced to Over 61 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, irgc, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a combined sentence of 61 years and 10 months to political defendants Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, Mahboobeh Rezaie, and Samaneh Nowruz Moradi.

Presided over by Judge Amoozad, the court communicated the following verdicts:

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” three years with property confiscation for “illegal acquisition of property,” and one year and seven months for “defying government officers on duty.”

Mahboobeh Rezaie: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” seven years and nine months for blasphemy, and one year and seven months for “removing hijab and showing the act of depravity on the Internet.”

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year and three months for “propaganda against the regime.”

As additional penalties, they have been sentenced to two years of compulsory residence in Tehran and a two-year prohibition from participating in political/civil groups and engaging in activities on social media.

The court session addressing their charges took place on November 4, 2023.

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini was arrested at his residence on May 1, 2023, and initially detained at Detention Facility A-1 under the IRGC’s jurisdiction, later moved to Evin Prison, and ultimately relocated to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi was arrested at her Tehran residence on April 24, 2023, and incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Mahboobeh Rezaie was arrested by security forces on May 22, 2023, and detained in Evin Prison after a period.

These individuals, known for their activism, had previously faced arrests and imprisonment.

 

Zahra Saeedianjoo Detained in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Milad Saeedianjoo, Sepidar Prison, Tehran, Zahra Saeedianjoo

Zahra Saeedianjoo was arrested in Izeh by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a source close to her family. The arrest occurred on Monday evening, coinciding with the approaching first anniversary of her brother Milad Saeedianjoo’s death, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

The specific allegations against Zahra Saeedianjoo remain unknown at this time. It’s worth noting that she had been previously arrested in Tehran on July 9, and subsequently released on bail from Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz after a month in detention.

Milad Saeedianjoo, aged 26, tragically lost his life on November 16, 2022, when he was fatally shot by regime forces during the protests in Izeh. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a source of concern and scrutiny.