Tag: Tehran

Five Transgender Individuals Arrested and Coerced into Confession

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Freedom of Expression, LGBTQ+, News
Hamshahri, Iranian Transgender, Tehran, Trans Citizens, Transgender Individuals

In Tehran, five transgender citizens were arrested following a quarrel with a religious vigilante who targeted them for their attire. The footage of their coerced confession has recently been released by security-affiliated media.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Hamshahri, five transgender citizens were apprehended in the Afsariyeh district of Tehran.

The incident unfolded when a self-proclaimed religious enforcer took it upon themselves to interfere with these citizens, citing the religious duty of “enjoining good and forbidding wrong,” ultimately resulting in the arrest of these transgender individuals. Consequently, legal action has been taken against them.
The recently published video captures their forced confession, in which they express remorse for their behaviour and appearance. The identities of these individuals remain unknown at present.

Recognition of transgender identity in Iran is solely contingent upon undergoing state-supported sex reassignment surgery. Additionally, there are instances where homosexual individuals are coerced into undergoing such surgeries to alleviate legal and social pressures.

Ali Rezaie Sentenced to Six Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Rezaie, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Ali Rezaie, who was arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022, has been handed a six-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently being held in Evin Prison.

The verdict was issued on June 21, 2023, by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati. Rezaie received five years for the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” If the ruling is upheld, the five-year prison term for “assembly and collusion” will be enforced according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

An informed source, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that Rezaie has been denied access to legal representation throughout his detention and trial. Furthermore, Judge Salavati has reportedly threatened his family with arrest.

Despite not actively participating in the protests, Rezaie has been charged with “assembly and collusion” due to his expression of support for the demonstrators on social media, leading to his arrest at his home, as stated by the source.

On December 11, 2022, security forces arrested Rezaie at his residence, conducting a search and confiscating some of his belongings. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was later transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary after 20 days. However, on April 9, 2023, along with numerous other prisoners, he was relocated back to Evin Prison.

Rezaie, aged about 41, is an IT engineer and Istanbul Turkish language teacher and Yoga coach.

Former Political Prisoner Reza Akbari Monfared Sentenced to Five Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Reza Akbari-Monfared, Tehran

Reza Akbari Monfared, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. His arrest took place in March 2023, and he has since been held in Evin Prison, Tehran.

Akbari Monfared was recently informed about the verdict, although the specific charges against him remain undisclosed. This is not the first time he has faced legal action for his activism, as he previously served a five-and-a-half-year sentence from 2013 to 2018.

Khosro Rahnama Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Khosro Rahnama, Tehran, ward 209

Political prisoner Khosro Rahnama has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Currently serving another legal case, Rahnama is incarcerated in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

The verdict, issued by Judge Iman Afshari, cites “assembly and collusion against national security” as the grounds for the five-year sentence.

On March 11, 2024, Rahnama was arrested at his residence in Tehran by security forces. Following two months of interrogation, he was transferred from Ward 209 to the public ward of Evin Prison.

Rahnama’s previous legal case resulted in a five-year prison sentence and two years of exile. The charges included “propaganda against the regime, assembly and collusion against national security, and collaboration with anti-regime groups.” It is important to note that Rahnama has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Faces New Legal Case During Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Eyvanki, Izeh, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Mohammad Nourizad, Tabas, Tehran

Imprisoned civil rights activist Mohammad Nourizad has been brought to trial for a new legal case while serving his existing sentence. The Tehran Revolutionary Court conducted a session on June 14, 2023, to address the charges against him.

According to Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Nourizad’s lawyer, his client is facing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime, and destruction of property within the prison head’s office.”

The initial phase of Nourizad’s legal case began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for his involvement in issuing an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In this first case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. While the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support towards Baha’i citizens of Eyvanki in Semnan Province.

Regarding the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order,” and an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was also upheld on appeal.

On November 17, 2021, Nourizad was released from Evin Prison based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to complete his remaining sentence.

Nourizad’s history includes prior arrests and convictions related to his peaceful activism. He is a renowned filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.

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Civil Rights Activist Yashar Tabrizi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
aKBAR gHOLIZADEH, Tehran, Yashar Tabrizi

On June 10, 2023, Yashar Tabrizi, a civil rights activist and former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces in Tehran and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke with HRANA, Tabrizi’s residence in Shahriar was raided by six intelligence agents. During the operation, they conducted a search and seized various belongings belonging to Tabrizi and his family.

As of now, the specific reasons behind Tabrizi’s arrest and the allegations against him have not been made public.

It is worth noting that Yashar Tabrizi, also known as Akbar Gholizadeh, has a history of previous arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Ardavan Fallahi’s Detention Extended in Evin Prison, Charges Modified

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardavan Fallahi, Arghavan Fallahi, Erfan Karam Veisi, Evin Prison, moharebeh, Nasrollah Fallahi, Shiraz, Tehran

Ardavan Fallahi, who was apprehended during the nationwide protests in 2022, is currently held in Evin Prison alongside his father, Nasrollah, and sister, Arghavan.

In a recent update provided by their lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, it has been revealed that the Evin Courthouse has decided to extend their detention once again after six months since the arrest. Notably, the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” as initially stated in his detention extension notice, has been dropped by judicial officials. However, Fallahi still faces charges such as “spreading corruption on earth” and “assembly and collusion against national security,” which carry severe penalties if convicted.

Ardavan Fallahi, aged 24, was arrested in Isfahan on November 3, 2022, followed by the subsequent arrests of his 66-year-old father and 22-year-old sister in Shiraz the following day. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

Despite having attended two sessions, they have yet to be formally indicted.

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.

Mohammad Taleghani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Social Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society, Iman Afshari, irgc, Mohammad Taleghani, Tehran

Mohammad Taleghani, a former member of Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, has been handed a two-year prison sentence and imposed social restrictions by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, the execution of this verdict has been suspended for a period of five years.

Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, citing “assembly and collusion against national security” as the reason for Taleghani’s sentence. In addition to the prison term, Taleghani has been banned from leaving the country and prohibited from using social media, as well as being barred from participating in civil and political activities for a duration of five years.

Taleghani’s arrest took place on July 9, 2023, when the intelligence forces of the IRGC apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. After spending eight days in custody, he was released on bail from Evin Prison.

Teenage Protestor Died from Injuries

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Children, News
2022 nationwide protests, Abolfazl Amir-Ataie, iran protests, Shahr-e-Rey, Tehran

Abolfazl Amir-Ataie, a 16-year-old participant in the 2022 nationwide protests, lost his life due to injuries sustained during the demonstrations.

Approximately eight months ago, during the protests in Shahr-e-Rey, Tehran, Ataie was struck in the head by a tear gas bullet. This devastating incident left him hospitalized, rendering him unable to speak or move.

Despite the passing of Ataie, neither the official media nor the authorities have issued a response thus far. However, his mother has confirmed the heartbreaking news of his death.

Background on 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. 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.