Tag: Tehran

Detention Without Due Process: Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa Still Held in Evin Prison Without Charges

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa, HRANA, Tehran

HRANA News Agency- Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa, a political detainee, remains in a state of legal uncertainty more than 90 days after her arrest. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

According to information received by HRANA, Mohammadi Parsa has been in detention for over three months without formal charges or legal proceedings. After spending more than 40 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was transferred to the prison’s women’s ward on February 11, 2025. Authorities have so far denied her release on bail.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that her arrest was linked to her public protest against compulsory hijab laws in Tehran.

She was arrested on December 25, 2024, by security forces at her home in Tehran. The arrest reportedly involved physical assault.

According to earlier reports, Mohammadi Parsa had previously been detained over issues related to mandatory hijab and for sharing content discouraging participation in Iran’s presidential elections. She was released on that occasion after signing a written pledge.

To date, no formal charges have been announced against her.

Farzaneh Mohammadi Parsa is approximately 55 years old, a dentist by profession, and resides in Tehran.

Christian Convert Naser Navard Goltapeh Denied Medical Care Amid Ongoing Detention in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Joseph Shahbazian, Naser Navard Goltapeh, Tehran, ناصر نورد گل تپه

HRANA News Agency – Naser Navard Goltapeh, a Christian convert imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been denied access to specialized medical care. He was recently transferred to a hospital due to deteriorating health but was returned to prison without receiving adequate treatment.

According to HRANA, quoting Article 18 News Outlet, on the 35th day of his hunger strike, Goltapeh was transferred to a hospital with symptoms suggesting a possible stroke. Following initial examinations, doctors suspected either a mild stroke or a minor heart attack. He experienced impaired movement in his left arm and leg. Despite the attending physician’s recommendation for physiotherapy and continued medical treatment, he was returned to prison without receiving adequate care.

The report states that no action has been taken so far to address his case or hold a trial. Although bail has been set, his release remains impossible.

On February 6, 2025, Goltapeh was arrested along with another Christian citizen, Joseph Shahbazian, in Tehran and transferred to Evin Prison.

At the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the charges brought against him.

Goltapeh, a Christian convert residing in Tehran, has previously been arrested and imprisoned for his religious activities.n July 2016, he was detained during a private gathering and was ultimately sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “establishing a house church.” He served his sentence in Evin Prison from 2017 without any furlough, and multiple requests for a retrial or conditional release were denied. After serving more than half of his sentence, he was released in October 2022.

Notably, while Christianity is officially recognized as a minority religion in Iran, security agencies view the conversion of Muslims to Christianity as a highly sensitive matter and respond with severe crackdowns on those involved in religious activism.

The persecution of Christian converts in Iran persists despite Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of religion, including the right to change their faith and to practice it openly or privately, alone or in community with others.

Christian Convert Amirali Minaei Beaten by Prison Guard in Evin

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News, Prisoners
Amirali Minaei, Christian convert, Evin Prison, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Amirali Minaei, a Christian convert currently serving his prison sentence in Evin Prison, was recently assaulted by one of the prison guards. Following the incident, Mr. Minaei experienced chest pain and heart-related issues but has been denied proper medical care.

Based on a report of Article 18, Mr. Minaei was recently beaten by a guard named Mehdi Salim. The guard directly struck Mr. Minaei’s chest and heart area. Despite his deteriorating condition, the authorities prevented his transfer to the prison clinic or examination by a cardiologist.

Mr. Minaei, who suffers from heart problems, was under a doctor’s care before his imprisonment. However, since the start of his sentence, all his requests for medical visits or referral to a specialist have been repeatedly denied.

Amirali Minaei, a 31-year-old Christian convert, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on December 7, 2023. He was later released on bail set at 600 million tomans.

In March 2024, he was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months of discretionary imprisonment and deprivation of social rights on charges of propaganda against the regime through his activities and establishing a house church.

On April 29, 2024, Mr. Minaei was transferred to Ward 8 of Evin Prison to begin serving his sentence.

74 Lashes Sentence for Singer Mehdi Yarrahi Carried Out in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, flogging, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Yarahi, Mehdi Yarrahi, Tehran, مهدی یراحی

HRANA News Agency – Today, March 5, 2025, the sentence of 74 lashes for singer and composer Mehdi Yarrahi was carried out at Tehran’s Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office.

His lawyer, Zahra Minooie, stated:
“Today, on March 5, 2025, the final part of the rulings issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, consisting of 74 lashes, was fully executed at Branch 4 of the Sentence Enforcement Office of the Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. As a result, Mr. Mehdi Yarrahi’s case has been closed.”

In December 2024, Yarrahi’s one-year prison sentence, which had been converted to electronic ankle monitoring, ended, leading to his release. However, the return of his 15 billion toman bail was contingent on the execution of his flogging sentence.

On September 26, 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Yarrahi to two years and eight months in prison and 74 lashes on charges of:

. Propaganda against the regime
. Encouraging corruption and depravity
. Producing and distributing immoral content
. Inciting and encouraging acts against public morality through online platforms

The Tehran Court of Appeals later upheld the verdict. Eventually, on February 20, 2024, his sentence was carried out under movement restrictions via electronic ankle monitoring.

Mehdi Yarrahi was initially arrested on August 28, 2023, following the release of his song “Roo Sarito” (Your Headscarf) by order of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office. He was later released on bail from Evin Prison in October of that year.

Notably, due to his support for the 2022 nationwide protests, the Tehran Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously declared him “prohibited from financial transactions.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments such as flogging and amputation. However, in 2024, HRANA documented at least three cases where flogging sentences were carried out, totaling 106 lashes. Additionally, at least 131 individuals were sentenced to a combined 9,957 lashes by the Iranian judiciary.

Furthermore, four individuals had their hand amputation sentences executed, while four others were sentenced to amputation.
For detailed statistics and further insights, read HRANA’s 2024 Annual Report

Appeals Court Upholds Mehdi Hemmati’s 5-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, irgc, Jina Amini, Mahsa Amini, Mehdi Hemmati, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the five-year prison sentence of Mehdi Hemmati, a political prisoner currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

As per the verdict recently issued by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals and communicated to Hemmati, he has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” This sentence was initially handed down by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

Additionally, in another part of his case, Branch 1147 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced Hemmati to 10 months in prison for “disrupting public order,” five months in prison, and 30 lashes for “possession of explosive materials.” This ruling was later upheld by Branch 34 of the Court of Appeals.

Mehdi Hemmati was arrested during the 40-day memorial ceremony for Mahsa (Jina) Amini in Tehran. He spent time in detention at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) detention facility in Tehran, where he was subjected to torture and denied access to legal representation. He was later transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

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Ghezel Hesar Prison: Update on Mehdi Hemmati, a Detainee from the 2022 Protests

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News, Prisoners
Amir Kamandi, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, irgc, Mahsa Amini, Mehdi Hemmati, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Hemmati, a Tehran resident arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, is currently serving his sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. He was previously sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary and Criminal Courts to more than six years in prison and 30 lashes.

According to HRANA, Hemmati was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” In a separate ruling, Branch 1147 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced him to 10 months for “disrupting public order” and an additional five months in prison, along with 30 lashes, for “possession of explosives.”

His Revolutionary Court sentence has been sent to Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, while the Criminal Court’s ruling was upheld by Branch 34 of the Appeals Court.

Hemmati was arrested alongside four others during the 40th-day memorial service for Mahsa (Jina) Amini in Tehran. The group was initially detained at an IRGC facility in Tehran, where they were subjected to torture and denied access to legal counsel. They were later transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. During their interrogation, they faced multiple charges, including “disrupting public order,” “possession of explosives,” and “complicity in the murder of Amir Kamandi,” a member of the IRGC Ground Forces.

In the final indictment, Hemmati was acquitted of all murder-related charges. Before his trial, authorities set his bail at one billion tomans, but case officers opposed his release.

A source close to Hemmati’s family told HRANA that he is a 38-year-old unmarried resident of Tehran. “He suffers from multiple health conditions and has been denied medical care,” the source said.

World-Traveling Cyclist Khosrow Azarbeyg Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Azarbeig, Khosrow Azarbeyg, Tehran, World-Traveling Cyclist, خسرو آذربیگ

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, February 17, 2025, security forces in Tehran arrested Khosrow Azarbeyg, a musician and world-traveling cyclist.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, attorney Amir Raeesian stated that Mr. Azarbeyg was detained by security forces on Monday evening while walking on a street in Tehran. His family has been informed that he is facing charges of “insulting Bashar al-Assad.” His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Mr. Azarbeyg had previously been arrested on September 20, 2024, while performing street music in Tehran’s Mellat Park. Security forces confiscated his belongings, and although he was released hours later, a judicial case was opened against him.

He was also briefly detained on January 10, 2024, for playing the daf drum at a metro station in Tehran.

Khosrow Azarbeyg is a cyclist, musician, traveler, documentary filmmaker, and children’s rights activist. He has traveled to more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa and has been involved in various initiatives supporting impoverished families in Sistan and Baluchestan, children with autism, and the families of child laborers.

Political Activists Akbar Danesh Sararoudi and Naser Daneshfar Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, Naser Daneshfar, Rahim Ghomeishi, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Security forces in Tehran have arrested Akbar Danesh Sararoudi and Naser Daneshfar, transferring them to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Ensaf News, the two activists were detained after recently calling for a gathering in front of the University of Tehran scheduled for Thursday.

In connection with these events, political activist Rahim Ghomeishi was also arrested by security forces in Tehran yesterday.

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the charges against them or their current whereabouts.

Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, a political and media activist from Isfahan, has previously faced arrests and legal action due to his activism.

Naser Daneshfar, also a political activist, is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war.

Political Activist Rahim Ghomeishi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Rahim Ghomeishi, Tehran, رحیم قمیشی

HRANA News Agency – Security forces arrested political activist Rahim Ghomeishi today, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Tehran and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to Emtedad, Ghomeishi, who had recently issued a call for a gathering on Thursday in front of the University of Tehran, was arrested this afternoon by security forces.

No information is available yet regarding his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Rahim Ghomeishi, a Tehran resident and political activist, is also a veteran of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war.

Christian Citizens Naser Navard Goltapeh and Joseph Shahbazian Arrested in Tehran

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News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Joseph Shahbazian, Naser Navard Goltapeh, Parand, revolutionary court, Tehran, ژوزف شهبازیان, ناصر نورد گل تپه

HRANA News Agency – On Thursday, February 6, Naser Navard Goltapeh and Joseph Shahbazian, two Christian citizens residing in Tehran Province, were arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents and transferred to Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, quoting Article 18 News Outlet, the arrests took place in the early morning of February 6, 2025. Intelligence agents raided Naser Navard Goltapeh’s residence in Parand and Joseph Shahbazian’s home in Tehran, detaining both individuals. Following their arrest, they were taken to Evin Prison, where Goltapeh has since gone on a hunger strike in protest.

As of the time of this report, no information has been disclosed regarding the charges against them.

Both Goltapeh and Shahbazian have previously been arrested and imprisoned due to their religious beliefs and activities.

Joseph Shahbazian was sentenced to 10 years in prison and additional social restrictions by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on May 29, 2022, on charges of “establishing a house church and acting against national security.” This verdict was upheld by the Tehran Court of Appeals in August 2022. He was subsequently arrested on September 8, 2022, and transferred to Evin Prison. However, in February 2023, Iran’s Supreme Court overturned his conviction due to a “lack of sufficient evidence proving his leadership role,” leading to his release in September 2023.

Naser Navard Goltapeh was previously arrested in July 2016 during a private gathering and was later sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “establishing a house church.” He served his sentence in Evin Prison from 2017 without any furlough, and multiple requests for a retrial or conditional release were denied. After serving more than half of his sentence, he was released in October 2022.

Notably, while Christianity is officially recognized as a minority religion in Iran, security agencies view the conversion of Muslims to Christianity as a highly sensitive matter and respond with severe crackdowns on those involved in religious activism.

The persecution of Christian converts in Iran persists despite Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of religion, including the right to change their faith and to practice it openly or privately, alone or in community with others.