Khashayar Safidi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Khashayar Safidi, an expelled student of the Tehran University of Art, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a verdict issued on July 2 by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Safidi’s lawyer the following days, Safidi was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The first court session regarding Mr. Safidi’s charges was held on May 27, and the second session was held on June 30. The court addressed charges of propaganda against the regime and “spreading false information about the death of Nika Shakarami, one of the victims of the 2022 nationwide protests, on social media.”

This former student of Tehran University of Art announced in a video that he had not posted anything on his personal page regarding Nika Shakarami. The charge of propaganda against the regime pertains to his three-day sit-in strike in support of Toomaj Salehi.

On May 2, 2024, Safidi was summoned to branch 3 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. He was eventually released on bail after appearing at the prosecutor’s office and being informed of the charges against him.

Late last Hijri year, Safidi was expelled from the university. Previously, he had been temporarily suspended for one term by the disciplinary committee.

Khashayar Safidi, aged around 32, was a master’s student in music at Tehran University of Art.

Motahareh Goonehi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Motahareh Goonehi, a suspended student from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict, issued by Judge Ali Mazloum of Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to this citizen, sentences Ms. Goonehi to one year of imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda activities against the regime in favor of anti-regime media.” The basis for this charge includes Ms. Gonei’s protest against the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi and other writings of hers. She has been acquitted of the charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “disturbing public order.”

On May 1, Goonehiwas arrested in Tehran by IRGC Intelligence forces following a summons and was transferred to Evin Prison. Four days later, she was released from Evin Prison on bail.

Previously, Ms. Goonehiand her husband, Mahdi Hadizadeh, both students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, were sentenced by the Central Committee of the Ministry of Health to temporary suspension from studies and transfer to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.

Goonehi, a dentistry student and student activist, had previously been arrested by security forces in Tehran in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022.

Political Prisoner Jamal Ameli Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

Jamal Ameli, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Ward 8 of Evin Prison. Despite his poor health, he has been denied proper medical care and transfer to medical facilities outside the prison.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Ameli suffers from an autoimmune disease, and the lack of access to necessary medications and regular visits to a doctor has led to spinal complications and other consequences of this illness. Despite his poor health, he has been denied proper medical care and transfer to medical facilities outside the prison.”

Based on HRANA’s reports, Mr. Ameli’s deprivation of new tests and timely and continuous treatment has led to more skin wounds and other severe problems, increasing the concerns of Mr. Ameli’s relatives and family regarding his physical health.

Jamal Ameli, a Tehran resident, was arrested on April 6 after appearing at the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to Evin Prison to serve his one-year prison sentence. He had previously been summoned to this judicial branch to serve his sentence.

In February of last year, he was sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Mohammad Ali (Jamal) Ameli, a Tehran resident, has a history of arrests and judicial encounters due to his activities. On October 30, 2012, he was arrested and later summoned for further explanations.

Iranian-Swedish Dual National Ahmad-Reza Jalali on Fourth Day of Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

Ahmad-Reza Jalali, a dual-national death-row political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, began a hunger strike on June 25th in protest of not being included in the recent prisoner exchange between Iran and Sweden.

Vida Mehrannia, Mr. Jalali’s wife, announced on her personal page: “My husband, who faces imminent execution by the Islamic Republic, started a hunger strike on Tuesday, June 25th, in protest of not being included in the recent prisoner exchange between Iran and Sweden.”

Mrs. Mehrannia added: “He has endured nearly 3,000 days in the notorious Evin Prison. The UN and many human rights organizations have declared my husband innocent, confirming that he was arbitrarily detained and used as a pawn in Iran’s cruel hostage diplomacy. They have called for his unconditional release.”

Recently, the Swedish Prime Minister announced the exchange of Hamid Nouri with Saeed Azizi and Johan Floderus, a Swedish diplomat.

Mr. Jalali was arrested by security forces in May 2016 and sentenced to death on charges of espionage. This sentence was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2017.

On May 10, 2022, former Judiciary spokesperson Zabihollah Khodaeian stated in a press conference that Ahmadreza Jalali’s death sentence was final. He also claimed that there was no connection between the cases of Ahmadreza Jalali and Hamid Nouri, asserting, “The exchange of these two individuals is not under discussion.” However, Amnesty International issued a statement indicating that Iranian authorities aimed to exchange Jalali by threatening his execution.
Professor Jalali, invited to Iran by the University of Tehran in May 2016, was arrested on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through espionage for Israel.” The Tehran Prosecutor accused him of “transferring information about confidential projects in research, military, defense, and nuclear fields in exchange for citizenship for him and his family from Sweden.”

265 Years and Over 5000 Lashes for Defendants in Evin Prison Fire Case

The Criminal Court 2 of Tehran has sentenced the defendants in the Evin Prison Fire case to a cumulative 265 years in prison, 5032 lashes, blood money (Diya) for one individual, and other penalties.

The defendants, convicted on charges including “property destruction,” “disturbing prison order,” “disobeying and resisting orders from officials,” and manslaughter, are as follows:

Majid Roshannejad, Luqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Sina Mirzaie, Mohammad-Sobhan Moazzenzadeh, Ayoub Emamizadeh, Ahmadreza Kunani, Sasan Zamani, Mohammad Geravand, Saeed Khodapour, and Alireza Vali each received six years in prison and seven lashes for “property destruction,” 16 months and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Mohammad-Hossein Moradian, Masoud Hosseinzadeh, Reza Haji, Nima Mohammadi, Alireza Aslami, Amir-Hossein Yousefvand, Meysam Moradian, Sobhan Hayatpour, Reza Salmanzadeh, and Seyed-Mohammad Hossein Mousavi each were sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” one year and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.” Additionally, Alireza Aslami and Nima Mohammadi were sentenced to expulsion from Iran. Their second nationalities remain unknown.

Five defendants were also charged with manslaughter. Ghasem Mohammadi received six years in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” 16 months and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials,” and must pay blood money (Diya) for one individual and serve an additional 40 months.

Erfan Zarif Ibn-Kazem, Jalal Narollahi, Gholam-Hassan Hashemi Siavashani, and Masoud Parchami received the same sentences as Ghasem Mohammadi except that they must pay 1/4 of the Diya.

Hamidreza Nazer and Hossein Delkhasteh were sentenced to 42 months in prison and 74 lashes for “property destruction,” one year and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Mohammad-Ali Delkhasteh, Seyed-Milad Abolvafaye, Mohammad-Khan Mirzaie, Kamran Nadali, Alireza Nazari, and Seyed-Ali Mousavi received 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and 16 months for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

Lastly, Hassan Malekshahi, Ashkan Kafi, Omid Astaneh, Rahman Alipour, and Ali Sadeghi Shirsavar were sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing prison order,” and one year for “disobeying and resisting orders from officials.”

These individuals are currently serving their sentences for previous convictions in Ghezel Hesar and Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Following the fire on the night of Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Evin Prison, a case was opened against these prisoners based on a complaint from the Prisons Organization.

On the night of October 15, 2022, after tensions rose in Evin Prison, fire was seen above the prison, and sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Despite officials claiming to have controlled the fire and clashes, gunfire continued for several hours. As a result, several prisoners were injured and killed, and some were transferred out of the prison.

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Journalist Hadi Kasaie Zadeh Arrested

Hadi Kasaie Zadeh, a journalist, has been arrested by security forces and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Didban Iran.

The report does not specify the security institution responsible for Kasaie Zadeh’s arrest, the place of detention, or the charges against this journalist.

In May of this year, Kasaie Zadeh was charged with “publishing details about the death of Nika Shakarami.” at the Evin Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran.

Additionally, in another case, this journalist was sentenced to three months in prison by Branch 2 of the Tehran Criminal Court for the charge of “disseminating false information.” The sentence has been suspended for two years. According to information received by HRANA, this conviction was related to the publication of material concerning the judicial case of Reza Saghafi, the former head of the Gilan Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Hadi Kasaie Zadeh Mahabadi has a history of judicial confrontations due to his activities as a journalist.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Appellate Court Upholds One-Year Sentence for Political Activist Reza Ramezanzadeh

Branch 36 of the Tehran Appellate Court has upheld a one-year prison sentence for Reza Ramezanzadeh.

The sentence was originally imposed by Branch 24 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which convicted Ramezanzadeh of “disseminating false information” related to reporting on the conditions of prisoners.

Ramezanzadeh was initially detained in late February 2024 after attending a hearing at the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. He was released on bail three days later.

This incident marks another chapter in Ramezanzadeh’s history of arrests and legal challenges stemming from his political activism.

Vahid Bani-Amerian Charged with “Armed Rebellion”

Political detainee Vahid Bani-Amerian has been indicted on charges of “armed rebellion (Baghi),” which carries the potential for severe penalties, including the death penalty.

Bani-Amerian was arrested in Tehran on December 22, 2023, by security forces. The Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran has now formally charged him with “armed rebellion” for allegations of his involvement with an anti-regime group. He is additionally accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to reports from HRANA, Bani-Amerian is currently held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which the Ministry of Intelligence manages. Since his arrest, he has been denied legal representation.

HRANA sources also report that Bani-Amerian suffers from several health issues, including irritable bowel syndrome, a compromised immune system, and an acute respiratory tract infection. These health concerns have significantly heightened his family’s worries about his health.

Previously, Bani-Amerian was arrested and convicted in Tehran during April-May 2018. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 18 years in prison and exile across two separate cases. However, he was released in March 2023 from Rajai Shahr Prison under a general amnesty.

Siamak Amini Sentenced to Imprisonment on Political Charges

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran has sentenced Siamak Amini to four years and three months in prison, along with a two-year travel ban and additional penalties.

The verdict, issued on May 8, 2024, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentences 63-year-old Amini to three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion to undermine national security” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The detention period will be subtracted from his prison term. Additionally, Amini is banned from leaving the country, joining civil/political groups, and using smartphones for two years.

His support of the nationwide protests in 2022 on social media and association with anti-regime groups have been cited as the basis for these charges.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code—which dictates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced—he will spend three years and seven months in prison.

Confirming Amini’s conviction, a source close to his family informed HRANA that at the beginning of last winter, IRGC intelligence agents raided his residence, conducted a search, and confiscated some of his personal items. He was then interrogated three times and ultimately released on bail of 500 million tomans, approximately $10,000. Amini suffers from an inflammatory disorder known as Behcet’s syndrome, which makes incarceration particularly challenging for him.

Siamak Amini, a resident of Tehran, is married and was previously incarcerated for five years in the 1980s as a political prisoner.

Farahnaz Nik-Khoo Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Farahnaz Nik-Khoo to ten years in prison on political charges.

Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati, sentenced Nik-Khoo to ten years for “acting against national security through espionage.”

On December 3, 2022, IRGC Intelligence arrested Nik-Khoo at Tehran airport as she was attempting to leave the country. She was initially detained in Evin Prison, and after seven months, on April 30, 2023, she was moved to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The exact nature of the activities leading to these charges remains unclear.

A reliable source previously informed HRANA that Nik-Khoo was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, and interrogated for two weeks. Meanwhile, the case is under the purview of IRGC intelligence.

Nik-Khoo, 50 years old, is a retired employee of the national telecommunications company.