Tag: Varamin

Two Inmate Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Sadegh Tajik, Varamin

Two individuals convicted of murder met their fate through execution at Ghezel Hesar Prison on April 17, 2024.

HRANA has identified one of the executed inmates as Sadegh Tajik, an Afghan national hailing from Varamin. Tajik had been convicted of murder.

Additionally, while official media within Iran announced the execution of another inmate without specifying the location, HRANA’s investigations suggest that the execution took place at Ghezel Hesar Prison. These individuals had also been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

Furthermore, HRANA reported last Sunday that five inmates had been transferred to solitary confinement within the prison, signaling impending executions. Of these, two were executed, two received temporary reprieves, and one was spared from death after obtaining consent from the victim’s family.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Civil Rights Activist Atena Farghadani Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atena Farghadani, Qarchak Prison, Varamin, آتنا فرقدانی

Atena Farghadani, a prominent civil rights activist and cartoonist, was arrested by security forces on April 13, 2024, and confined in Qarchak Prison located in Varamin, as reported by Voice of America Persian News Network.

Farghadani’s refusal to provide bail for her release, as a form of protest against her arrest, reportedly led to her transfer to Qarchak Prison. Following her arrest, she was subjected to physical violence, resulting in visible bruises on her face.

HRANA received information from a source close to her family indicating that she was arrested for publicly displaying one of her paintings on a street in Tehran. For this, she has faced the charges of “blasphemy, disturbing public order and propaganda against the regime.”

This is not the first instance of Farghadani facing arrest and legal action for her activism. Previously, on June 7, 2023, she was arrested at Evin Courthouse and subsequently detained in Qarchak Prison. After several days, she was charged with “disturbing public order” and released on bail.

Three Political Prisoners Sentenced to a Combined 14 Years in Upheld Verdict

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Laleh Zari, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Qarchak Prison, Rezavaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Tehran, Varamin

The Appeals Court of Tehran has confirmed a joint 14-year prison sentence for political prisoners Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Rezavaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, and Behfar Laleh Zari.

As per the verdict endorsed by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court of Tehran, Laleh Zari and her husband Ahmad-Khan Beigi have each been given four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Haji-Mohammadi, on the other hand, received a four-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The initial ruling was handed down by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Iman Afshari.

On September 18, 2023, civil rights advocate, Ahmad-Khan Beigi and Laleh Zari were arrested at their residence by security forces. Laleh Zari, initially held in solitary confinement under Security Police custody, was later transferred to Evin Prison, while Ahmad-Khan Beigi was relocated to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, eventually being moved to Evin Prison.

Haji-Mohammadi’s arrest occurred in Tehran in September 2023. After seven days of solitary confinement under the Public Security Police, they were transferred to Evin Prison.

All three political prisoners have a history of arrests and convictions stemming from their engagement in political activism.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afashari, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Tehran, Varamin

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a one-year prison sentence to journalist Nazila Maroufian.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afashari found Maroufian guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a one-year imprisonment and a fine of 15 million tomans.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially apprehended by security forces and confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Later, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison but was eventually released on temporary bail after paying 600 million tomans (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence on Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “disseminating propaganda against the regime and spreading false information to manipulate public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” In addition to the suspended sentence, she was fined and received a five-year travel ban.

On July 4, security forces conducted a search and raid at her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and returned to Evin Prison following her appearance at the courthouse. After some time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

On August 14, she was once again arrested and held for two days in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Then, on August 30, security forces apprehended her at her residence in Tehran, during which she experienced physical mistreatment.

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

Artist Atena Farghadani Indicted for Alleged Disturbance of Public Order

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atena Farghadani, Evin Courthouse, HRANA, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Atena Farghadani, a renowned cartoonist and civil rights activist, has been indicted at Evin Courthouse following her arrest on June 7, 2023.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Farghadani is facing charges of “disturbing public order.”

Another source close to her family disclosed that Farghadani has been offered a bail amounting to two billion Rials; however, she has declined to provide the requested bail amount.

On June 7, 2023, security forces arrested Farghadani and subsequently transferred her to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

It should be noted that Farghadani has previously faced legal consequences for her activism.

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Artist Atena Farghadani Detained in Qarchak Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atena Farghadani, HRANA, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Atena Farghadani, an artist and civil rights activist, was taken into custody by security forces on June 7, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to a reliable source, who spoke with HRANA, Farghadani was apprehended following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. The specific grounds for her arrest and the allegations against her remain undisclosed at this time.

It is worth noting that Farghadani has previously faced legal repercussions for her activism.

Journalist Elaheh Mohammadi Still Detained After Six Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elaheh Mohammadi, Ham-Mihan, Mahsa Amini, Qarchak Prison, Saeed Para, Varamin

Elaheh Mohammadi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Ham-Mihan, has been in detention for over six months in Qarchak Prison, Varamin, with an unclear status regarding due process.

Mohammadi’s husband, Saeed Para, stated, “Her lawyer does not have access to the legal files… no matter how much we tried, we did not receive any answers from the officials. From the prosecutor’s office to the court, they all breach the procedural law.”

“We met with as many officials as we could and waited for hours and days in front of Evin courthouse and judicial offices, we obtained even an urgent review order, but in the end, it went nowhere. Despite all promises, our request remains unanswered, and we are still at square one,” Parsa added.

On September 29, 2022, security forces arrested Mohammadi following her travel to Saqqez and publishing a report on the funeral of Mahsa Amini.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper Hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Iran Protests: Samaneh Asghari Sentenced to over 18 Years

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Kharazmi University, Qarchak Prison, Samaneh Asghari, Varamin

The Tehran Revolutionary Court recently sentenced jailed student Samaneh Asghari to 18 years and 3 months in prison. If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years and three months for one charge will be enforceable.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, student Samaneh Asghari was sentenced to eighteen years and three months imprisonment.

In January 2023, Asghari’s lawyer, Erfan Karam-Veisi, stated that the Shahr-e-Rey Public and Revolutionary Court pressed multiple charges against her client, including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “disturbing public order and peace,” “inciting people to wage war,” “propaganda against the regime,” “going in public without a hijab,” “membership in groups to act against national security,” and “spreading falsehood.” Karam-Veisi also stated that the court refused her temporary release on bail.

On October 11, 2022, amid nationwide protests, Asghari, an industrial engineering student at Kharazmi University, was arrested by security forces and jailed in Evin Prison. After a while, she was relocated to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

About Iran Nationwide Protests 2022
The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her alleged improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During these protests, at least about 19760 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Two Instagram Bloggers Sentenced to a Total of 21 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Mohamad Ahmadi, Astiaj Haghighi, Evin Prison, Instagram Bloggers, Qarchak, Varamin

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Instagram bloggers Astiaj Haghighi and Amir Mohammad Ahmadi, to a total of 21 years in prison and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Astiaj Haghighi and Amir Mohammad Ahmadi were sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

According to this verdict, each of them received ten years and six months for “promotion of impurity and indecency, assembly and collusion against national security, and propaganda against the regime.” They have also been banned from social activities on the Internet and leaving the country for two years.
An informed source told HRANA that they were denied access to a lawyer during legal proceedings.

On November 1, 2022, security forces arrested this couple violently at their home in Tehran. This arrest occurred after they published a video on social media showing them dancing in a city square.

A while after their arrest, Mrs Haghighi was relocated from Evin Prison to Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

 

Iran Protests: Parisa Nikkhoo Sentenced to Two Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Parisa Nikkhoo, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

The Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced Parisa Nikkhoo to two years in prison. Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years in prison. She is currently jailed in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Parisa Nikkhoo, arrested at recent protests, was sentenced to two years in prison on appeal.

An informed source told HRANA, “Nikkhoo did not have a right to choose a lawyer. She was charged with assembly and collusion against national security and disturbing public order. The judicial authorities promised her a release on bond if she pleaded guilty.”

“The judge granted a 600 million-toman bail, but she cannot afford this bail.”

On September 24, 2022, Nikkhoo, age 36, was arrested at protests in Tehran and taken to a police station and then to Qarchak Prison. The informed source said she had bruises on her body during custody at the police station.