Solmaz Hassanzadeh Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Solmaz Hassanzadeh, sister of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to one year in prison by judicial authorities.

According to Kurdpa, the one-year sentence was issued by Branch 101 of Criminal Court Two in Bukan, presided over by Judge Mehdi Fakhri, on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Though cases of this nature typically fall under the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Court, the lack of such a court in Bukan means security-related cases are first referred to the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad. Once a decision is reached, the case is returned to Bukan’s Criminal Court for sentencing.

On July 30, Solmaz and her father were arrested by security forces while attempting to hold a memorial ceremony for Mohammad’s birthday. The next day, her father, Ahmad Hassanzadeh, was released on a bail of four billion tomans, while Solmaz was released on August 13 after posting a bail of 500 million tomans.

Solmaz Hassanzadeh had previously been detained by security forces at a checkpoint between Bukan and Saqqez on September 27 of last year, and was subsequently released.

Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old Bukan resident, was fatally shot during the 2022 protests and passed away on November 16 of that year.

Finger Amputation Sentences Executed on Two Prisoners in Urmia Prison

On October 30, two prisoners convicted of theft had their sentences of finger amputation carried out in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, brothers Shahab and Mehrdad Teimouri were each sentenced by Branch 1 of the Juvenile Court in West Azerbaijan Province to the amputation of four fingers on their right hands, as well as restitution of stolen goods. After being transferred to solitary confinement in preparation, the prisoners were taken to the execution unit in Urmia Prison, where the sentences were executed. They were then transported to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia for medical care.

The Teimouri brothers were initially arrested in 2019 on theft charges and later sentenced to finger amputation by the court. This ruling was upheld in April 2020 by Branch 24 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Karami, who confirmed the Teimouri brothers’ sentences but overturned a similar sentence for a co-defendant, Ebrahim Khatibi, ultimately sentencing him to 20 years in prison.

In part of his defense, which HRANA obtained, Mehrdad Teimouri stated, “I admit to theft. I am a thief, but not as recorded by the police. In 2015, I was forced to confess to 11 thefts… I had debts to other victims, which led me to this theft.”

A source close to the case told HRANA, “The initial trial was held on July 24, 2019, in Branch 1 of the Juvenile Court in Urmia, where all three defendants were sentenced to amputation. Following appeals filed by their court-appointed attorneys, the case was referred to the Supreme Court, which confirmed the Teimouri brothers’ sentences in April 2020 and overturned Ebrahim Khatibi’s sentence.”

Due to the involvement of the Juvenile Court, it appears the defendants may have been under 18 at the time of their trial. However, with no official statements and limited access to court records, HRANA continues its independent investigation to confirm this information.

Shahab and Mehrdad Teimouri are from Sarpol-e Zahab and currently reside in Malard, Karaj.

Amputation as a legal punishment violates fundamental principles of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explicitly prohibits inhumane or degrading punishments.

Nayeb Askari Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison and Heavy Fine After Death Sentence Overturned

Nayeb Askari, a political prisoner detained in Urmia Prison, has been re-sentenced by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison and a fine of 900 million tomans, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his prior death sentence and refer his case for retrial.

This updated sentence was issued last week by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. According to HRANA’s sources, the fine was imposed on Askari as compensation for alleged damage to government property.

Initially, on April 15, 2023, Askari was sentenced to death in absentia and without legal representation by Branch 2 on charges of “enmity against God (moharebeh).” After he appealed, the court downgraded the charge from “moharebeh” to “armed rebellion (baghi)” but re-issued a death sentence in late October 2023.

Askari’s alleged membership in a Kurdish opposition party was cited as evidence supporting the charges in his case.

Arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, Askari was later moved to a detention facility and, on June 17, 2021, to Urmia Prison.

HRANA’s source reveals another ongoing case accusing Askari of the murder of IRGC member Mostafa Soltani. In 2013-2014, Soltani was injured during a clash with a political opposition party member, passing away six years later from COVID-19. Soltani’s family claims alleged Askari’s involvement in the altercation caused the sustained injury leading to his eventual death.

A new case, opened on July 12, 2021, based on a complaint from the Urmia Prison head, resulted in a three-month imprisonment extension and 50 lashes for “disrupting prison order.”

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

Zahra Sajedinia Sentenced to Prison

Zahra Sajedinia, a resident of Bukan, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Criminal Court of this city, according to Kolbar News.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Bukan and delivered to Ms. Sajedinia on September 29, she was sentenced to 10 months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Sajedinia was arrested by security forces on July 31 of this year. She was later released from Urmia prison on bail after completing her interrogation.

Zahra Sajedinia, 38 years old, is married, a mother of three, and a resident of Bukan.

Two Prisoners Executed in Urmia Prison

At dawn on October 10, two prisoners convicted of non-political offenses, including drug-related charges, were executed in Urmia Prison.

HRANA identified one of the executed individuals as Borhan Ansari, a resident of Urmia. Mr. Ansari was arrested three years ago on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. The second prisoner, originally from Bukan, had also been sentenced to death for similar offenses.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have yet to publicly confirm the executions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

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Javad Mohammadi-Fard Attempts Suicide in Urmia Prison

Javad Mohammadi-Fard, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, attempted suicide by hanging. He was transferred to a psychiatric facility and returned to prison hours later.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family told HRANA: “On Monday, September 23, Mr. Mohammadi-Fard attempted suicide by hanging due to severe stomach illness and the authorities’ refusal to grant him medical leave. Instead of being transferred to a hospital for proper medical treatment, he was sent to the Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Urmia and returned to prison just hours later.”

The source added, “Prison officials did not allow all family members to visit Mohammadi-Fard, and only his brother was granted access. His health condition remains poor.”

Despite suffering from stomach pain and bleeding, suspected by a doctor to be cancer, Mohammadi-Fard has been denied specialized treatment and medical leave.

Javad Mohammadi-Fard was arrested in July 2022 in Urmia and released on bail. In July 2023, he was sentenced by the Urmia Revolutionary Court on national security charges. His sentence was upheld in February 2024, and he was sentenced to four years in prison. He was transferred to Urmia Prison in April 2024 to serve his sentence.

Prisoner Executed in Urmia Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

At dawn today, August 21, the execution of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was carried out in Urmia Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner, who was hanged at dawn today, as “Mohammad Daghestani.” He had been arrested on drug-related charges and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or responsible organizations.

Execution of Another Prisoner Along with Kamran Sheikheh in Urmia Prison

Today, Thursday, July 25th, in addition to the execution of Kamran Sheikheh, a Sunni prisoner in Urmia Prison, the execution of another prisoner was carried out in this prison.

This prisoner has been identified by HRANA as Hassan Yousefi Azar. Mr. Yousofi Azar, a resident of Naqadeh, had previously been arrested on charges of murder and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been announced by prison officials and relevant authorities.
In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

According to data compiled by HRANA, Urmia Prison carried out 29 executions in 2023. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Kamran Sheikheh, the Last of Seven Sunni Prisoners, Executed in Urmia Prison

At dawn on Thursday, July 25, Kamran Sheikheh, a Sunni prisoner who had endured over fourteen years of imprisonment, was executed in Urmia Prison. He was sentenced to death along with six other Sunni prisoners in a joint case and was the last defendant to be hanged.

This Sunni prisoner had been transferred from Mahabad Prison to Urmia Prison yesterday for the execution of his sentence.
Six other Sunni prisoners in this case, Ghasem Abasteh, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, Farhad Salimi, Anvar Khezri, and Khosro Besharat, were hanged in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on November 5, 2023, November 29, 2023, January 2, 2024, January 23, 2024, May 1, 2024, and May 15, 2024, respectively.

The case stems from the assassination of Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, in September 2008. In January and February 2010, Sheikheh and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection with the killing.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, their sentences were overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then reassigned to Branch 15 of the same court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Sheikheh and six other defendants. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld their death sentences on February 3, 2020.

Baha’i Citizen Mojgan Salmanzadeh Detained in Urmia Prison

Mojgan Salmanzadeh, a Baha’i citizen, remains in a state of uncertainty in Urmia Prison for over twelve days.

A source close to the family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Salmanzadeh was arrested by security forces on July 4th in the city of Maku and recently informed her family in a phone call that she has been transferred to the public ward of Urmia Prison. Also, temporary release has not yet been possible for this Baha’i citizen.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained about the reasons for her arrest and the charges against her.

Mojgan Salmanzadeh is a Baha’i citizen and a researcher in the field of physiological psychology.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

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.