Tag: Tehran

Tehran Resident Leila Ziafar Arrested for Opposing Compulsory Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
compulsory hijab, Hijab, Leila Ziafar, Tehran

Leila Ziafar, a resident of Tehran, was taken into custody by security forces, her whereabouts undisclosed.

A video of Ziafar’s arrest at her residence was released by media sources affiliated with intelligence institutions. It is believed that she was arrested for voicing her opposition to compulsory hijab regulations on social media.

The location of her detention is still unknown.

The incident sheds light on the increasing legal actions taken by the Iranian regime to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on women in recent months. Concerns over the protection of individual rights and freedom of expression continue to mount as such cases emerge.

Baha’i Citizen Keyvan Rahimian Arrested in Tehran

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Iranian Bahais, Keyvan Rahimian, Tehran

On July 18, 2023, security forces arrested Baha’i Citizen Keyvan Rahimian in Tehran and transferred him to Evin Prison.

A reliable source close to Rahimian’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that he informed his family about his transfer to Evin Prison during a phone call following his arrest.

The grounds for this arrest and the allegation against him are unknown.

The specific reasons behind his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Rahimian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism. Notably, he also serves as a lecturer at an online university affiliated with the Baha’i community. It is important to mention that Baha’is face exclusion from tertiary education in Iran.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach 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.

 

Iranian Actor Mohammad Sadeghi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Actor, Mohammad Sadeghi, Tehran

On Sunday, July 16, renowned theater and television actor Mohammad Sadeghi was apprehended at his residence in Tehran by security forces, as confirmed by Tasnim News Agency. The exact location of his detention remains undisclosed.

Sources indicate that Sadeghi was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence. According to reports, there was an alleged incident where he contemplated jumping from the third floor in an apparent bid to escape but ultimately abandoned the idea upon the arrival of firefighters and judicial officials at the scene.

Yesterday, Sadeghi took to social media to inform the public about the raid conducted by security forces at his residence. While some media outlets within Iran have suggested that his arrest is linked to allegations of “wearing women’s apparel, makeup, and inciting people to engage in illegal activities,” the precise grounds for his detention are yet to be officially disclosed.

At present, the location where Sadeghi is being held and the nature of the charges against him remain unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his arrest.

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Arrested and Detained in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Fariba Fereydooni, irgc, Khomeyn, Majid Rezaie, Markazi Province, Tehran

On July 15, civil rights activist Majid Rezaie was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Rezaie, he is currently being held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison, where he will serve a nine-month sentence.

Previously, on May 22, Rezaie received a summons from the Judgement Enforcement Unit in Tehran to initiate his sentence.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court initially imposed a one-year sentence, which was later reduced to nine months after Rezaie entered a plea of no contest. Additionally, he has been sentenced to four hours of daily penal labor for the Tehran Municipality over a three-month period. Furthermore, he is required to attend a course conducted by the Institute of Psychology Ma’avaye e Qom, purportedly aimed at “enhancing emotional regulation.”

On July 23, 2020, Rezaie and his wife, Fariba Fereydooni, were arrested by agents of the IRGC in Khomeyn County, Markazi Province. He was released on bail after 21 days of detention.

Concerns Mount Over Zohreh Sayadi’s Health Condition as Medical Treatment Denied in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran, Zohreh Sayadi

Zohreh Sayadi, a political prisoner, continues to serve her one-year sentence in Evin Prison, but her deteriorating health condition remains a cause for concern. Despite suffering from colon cancer, she has been denied essential medical treatment, raising serious questions about her well-being.

Reliable sources close to Sayadi’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the prison infirmary has provided her with only a minimal injection. The lack of ongoing treatment has exacerbated her illness, and her condition continues to worsen. Frustratingly, due to hindrances imposed by prison officials, she has not yet received a certificate of penal intolerance, further delaying potentially life-saving interventions.

In December 2019, security forces arrested her in Tehran. She was released on bail after a while.

Last year, she was handed down a one-year sentence which was upheld on appeal. On May 30, 2023, she was imprisoned in Evin Prison to commence serving her sentence.

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.

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Woman Receives Prison Sentence and Travel Ban for Violating Hijab Requirement

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Ahmadreza Radan, Hijab, Tehran

The Criminal Court of Tehran has handed down a verdict sentencing a woman to two months in prison and imposing a two-year travel ban on her for violating the Hijab regulations.

As per the verdict, which gained attention after being shared on social media, the Tehran Criminal Court, under the authority of Judge Ali Omidi, issued a two-month prison sentence and a two-year travel ban against a woman who was found guilty of “publicly not wearing Hijab.” The court classified the act of not wearing Hijab as a manifestation of “antisocial behavior,” mandating the woman to be under treatment and present a health certificate twice a week for a duration of six months.

Furthermore, the court labeled the absence of the Hijab as an act of behavior deemed “anti-Iranian,” justifying the implementation of the travel ban.
Prior to this ruling, Ahmadreza Radan, the chief of Iranian police, had announced an action plan involving the seizure of vehicles and closure of businesses as means to enforce compliance with the Hijab requirement among citizens.

Sadegh Zibakalam Sentenced to One Year in Prison for News Dissemination

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Freedom of Expression, News
Criminal Court, Sadegh Zibakalam, serial poison attacks, Tehran

The Criminal Court of Tehran has handed down a one-year prison sentence to Sadegh Zibakalam, a prominent professor at the University of Tehran and political pundit. The verdict is related to his role in sharing news regarding serial poison attacks on schools.

According to the court’s decision on July 2, 2023, Zibakalam has been convicted of “spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion online,” resulting in a one-year sentence. The court session took place on June 27, 2023. It’s important to note that Zibakalam, aged 65, is widely recognized as an academic, author, and reformist neo-liberal pundit.

Since late November, a series of poison attacks on schools, particularly girls’ schools, have shaken the country. Parents’ protests demanding answers were met with a heavy-handed response. Despite the passage of eight months and the arrest of several suspects, the Iranian authorities have yet to provide a satisfactory explanation to the public. For more detailed information and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Golrokh Iraee’s Sentence Reduced to Five Years on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, golrokh iraee, Tehran

Golrokh Iraee, a former political prisoner, has had her sentence reduced to five years by the Tehran Court of Appeals. Initially, she had been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The court handed down this verdict in response to charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “disturbing public order.” In addition to the prison term, Iraee has also been prohibited from joining political and civil groups, restricted from staying in Tehran, barred from leaving the country for two years, and had her cell phone confiscated.

The court session took place on June 18, 2023.

Iraee was violently arrested by security forces at her residence in Tehran on September 26, 2022. After being held in multiple detention facilities, she was eventually imprisoned in Evin Prison on October 30, 2022. In April 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to seven years and additional punishments.

It is noteworthy that Iraee has faced previous arrests and convictions on multiple occasions.

 

 

Political Activist Abolfazl Ghadyani Receives Ten-Month Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Ghadyani, Iranian Political Activist, Kaleme, Tehran

Political Activist Abolfazl Ghadyani was recently sentenced to ten months by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, according to Kaleme News Outlet. Ghadyani is also currently facing another legal case and has been summoned in relation to it.

Ghadyani’s ten-month sentence was given on grounds of “propaganda against the regime,” while the Criminal Court has additionally indicted him for “spreading falsehood on the Internet.”

It’s worth noting that he has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

 

Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Sentecned to Five Years and Eight Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, Tehran, workers' rights activists

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld a five-year and eight-month sentence against Anisha Asadollahi, according to a report from the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years of the imposed sentence.

In May 2023, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 in the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a five-year sentence to Asadollahi for “assembly and collusion against national security,” along with an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were arrested at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. However, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is worth noting that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.