Actress Hanieh Tavassoli Receives Suspended Imprisonment and Fine

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

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

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.

Tehran Resident Shaghayegh Moradi Detained by Security Forces

Shaghayegh Moradi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Sunday, November 12, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed facility.

A source with ties to her family shared the news of Moradi’s arrest, which reportedly took place at her residence in Tehran. The reasons behind her arrest and the specific allegations against her are currently undisclosed.

Moradi is known for her work with the art-cultural magazine Bukhara in Tehran.

Political Activist Abdollah Momeni Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Modara reports that the Tehran Revolutionary Court has imposed a one-year prison term on political activist Abdollah Momeni.

Presided over by Judge Mazloum from Branch 29, the court convicted Momeni of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” ordering the seizure of his cell phone and other electronic devices.

During the trial, a speech delivered by Momeni at a conference on political issues was presented as evidence for the aforementioned charge.

Intelligence agents arrested Momeni at his residence in Tehran on April 27, 2023, taking him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence. After three days, he was released on bail.

Momeni, a prominent former student activist and former spokesperson for the Alumni Association of Iran (Advar-e Tahkim Vahdat) organization two decades ago, had previously served a five-year sentence and was released from Evin Prison in March 2014.

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Four Inmates Executed in Isfahan Prison

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Isfahan Prison officials carried out the execution of four inmates, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Among the hanged inmates, Ebrahim Narui (Narooie), aged 42 and hailing from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, was identified. Narui had been sentenced to death for drug offenses by the Naeen Revolutionary Court. The other three inmates were residents of Tehran, Rasht, and Isfahan.

As of the time of this report, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided information regarding these executions.
According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Manoochehr Bakhtiari Faces an Additional Six Months in Prison Amidst His Incarceration

Manoochehr Bakhtiari, a political prisoner currently confined in Qazvin Prison, has been handed a six-month sentence by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court.

In a verdict issued on November 1, 2023, Bakhtiari was convicted and sentenced to an additional six months in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” This adds to his ongoing imprisonment.

At present, Bakhtiari is serving a three-year, six-month sentence in Qazvin Prison. His wife, Sara Abbasi, has expressed concerns about his health, citing multiple diseases, and claims he is being denied access to medical treatment and furlough.

Bakhtiari’s legal woes began on April 29, 2021, when he was forcefully arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison, coupled with a two-year, six-month exile and a two-year travel ban. Bakhtiari commenced serving this sentence in July 2021.

In a tragic and related turn of events, Bakhtiari’s son, Pouya, at the age of 27, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2019 protests, also known as the Aban Protests, in Karaj. According to his sister and mother, Pouya succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after being shot in the head during the second day of the protest’s eruption.

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Faces New Charges While Incarcerated

Civil rights activist Majid Rezaie, who is currently serving time in Evin prison, is now confronted with fresh legal charges filed by the Tehran Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization.

Rezaie has been accused of “disrupting prison order” and “making threats and insults towards prison officials.”

On October 18, 2023, Rezaie spent approximately six days in a psychiatric center, following an order from the Evin prison’s head.

On July 15, Rezaie was arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. He was later sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, a sentence that was subsequently reduced to nine months after he entered a no-contest plea. In addition to his prison term, he was also ordered to perform four hours of daily community service for three months and attend an eight-hour mandatory emotional management and control class.

Six Baha’i Citizens Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences

In a recent development, the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down substantial prison sentences to six Baha’i citizens, namely Samira Ebrahimi, Arsalan Yazdani, Pedram Abhar, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, and Iraj Shakoor, totaling 32 years and 10 months behind bars.

Presiding over Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Judge Ali Mazloum has pronounced six-year sentences for Yazdani, Abhar, Khozuei, and Shakoor, while Ebrahimi and Sefidi have been each sentenced to four years and five months.

The charges against these individuals are as follows:

  • Samira Ebrahimi: Membership in anti-regime groups, propaganda against the regime, and engaging in educational activities against Sharia law.
  • Arsalan Yazdani: Membership in anti-regime groups, propaganda against the regime, and engaging in educational activities against Sharia law.
  • Pedram Abhar: Membership in anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.
  • Saba Sefidi: Membership in anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.
  • Saeedeh Khozuei: Membership in anti-regime groups.
  • Iraj Shakoor: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion against the regime.

Should these verdicts withstand the appeals process, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will mandate the enforcement of a five-year prison term for Yazdani, Khozuei, Shakoor, and Abhar. Ebrahimi and Sefidi, on the other hand, would serve three years and five months in prison.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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.

Comedian Zeinab Mousavi Arrested on Allegations of Blasphemy

Zeinab Mousavi, a well-known Iranian comedian and parody artist, has been arrested under orders from the Tehran prosecutor’s office, facing allegations of blasphemy in connection with a satirical video.

According to Dideban Iran, Mousavi is accused of committing blasphemy in her satirical videos that were shared on social media.

Mousavi is widely recognized for her portrayal of the parody character known as the Empress of Kuzcoo. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time she has faced legal issues, as she was previously arrested by security forces in Qom on October 12, 2022. She was subsequently released on bail the following month. During her detention, Mousavi spent 25 days in solitary confinement.