Tag: Varamin

A Christian Convert Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Evin Prison, Hesamoddin Mohammad Joneydi, Varamin

HRANA – Hesamoddin (Yahya) Mohammad Joneydi, a Christian convert residing in Varamin, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in this city to eight years and one month in prison.

According to Mohabat News, this Christian convert was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Varamin Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ashkan Ramesh, to seven years and six months in prison for “propaganda activities contrary to Islamic law due to ties with foreign countries,” and an additional seven months for “propaganda against the regime.”

According to the report, the charges against Mohammad Joneydi included participating in Christian training courses abroad (in Turkey), attending online and house churches, and promoting Christianity both online and in person.

Mohammad Joneydi, age 45, was arrested by security forces in October-November 2024 and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

He was later released after posting bail set at 1.5 billion tomans.

Based on about 180 reports compiled by HRANA over the past decade, 11% of all victims of religious minority rights violations by Iran’s security-judicial apparatus were Christians—particularly Christian converts. In 2024 alone, Christians made up over 9% of those targeted.

Political Prisoner Manoochehr Mehman-Navaz Re-Arrested and Returned to Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Khurin Prison, Manouchehr Mehman Navaz, Mohammadreza Amouzad, Seyed Ali Mazloum, Varamin

HRANA News Agency – Manouchehr Mehman-Navaz, a political prisoner who had been serving his sentence in an open prison arrangement, was arrested 16 days ago and transferred to Khurin Prison in Varamin.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Mehman-Navaz, who had been serving his sentence outside of prison under an open prison system, was arrested at his private residence on Wednesday, April 16, and transferred to Khurin Prison in Varamin.

He had previously been released from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj under the same open prison arrangement on November 19, 2023.

Mehman-Navaz was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloum, on charges of “assembly and collusion against internal national security” and “disrupting public order and security through causing commotion and unrest.”

In 2022, he had been sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammadreza Amouzad. However, that sentence was overturned following testimony from eyewitnesses. After submitting a request for a retrial, his case was re-examined in Branch 29 of the court.

This political prisoner was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was tried in Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in November of that year.

The charges against him included arson of buildings with the intent to confront the Islamic government—an offense classified as moharebeh (waging war against God)—as well as “assembly and collusion against internal national security,” “disrupting public order and security through creating commotion and unrest,” and “participating in unlawful gatherings.”

Atena Farghadani Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison on Appeal

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

The six-year prison sentence of Atena Farghadani, a prominent cartoonist and civil activist detained in Evin Prison, has been reduced to eight months following an appeals court ruling.

A social media page associated with Ms. Farghadani announced that the appeals court had acquitted her of the charge of blasphemy but sentenced her to eight months in prison for creating a cartoon titled “Class Inequality.”

Earlier, Tehran’s Revolutionary Court Branch 26, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, had sentenced her to five years for insulting sanctities and one year for propaganda against the regime.

Ms. Farghadani declined to participate in court sessions related to these charges.

On the evening of Saturday, April 13, 2024, she staged a protest by attempting to display one of her paintings on a wall in Tehran’s Pasteur Street. Security forces intervened violently during the act, arresting her and transferring her to Evin Prison.

Earlier, on June 7, 2023, she was detained after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Days later, the First Branch of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office charged her with disrupting public order. She was eventually released on bail.

Atena Farghadani has faced multiple arrests and convictions in the past due to her activism and artistic work.

Roshanak Molaei Flogged in Qarchak Prison for Violating Hijab Laws

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
compulsory hijab, HRANA, Qarchak Prison, Roshanak Molaei, Tehran, Varamin, روشنک مولایی

Roshanak Molaei Alishah, a 26-year-old Tehran resident, was released from Qarchak Prison in Varamin on Saturday, November 23, 2024, following the execution of a 14-lash sentence. Her case has drawn attention as she was initially subjected to street harassment but was instead arrested and prosecuted for non-compliance with mandatory hijab laws.

Ms. Molaei had previously been sentenced by Branch 1097 of the Ershad Court to 74 lashes and a two-year travel ban for “damaging public chastity.” Her sentence was reduced under a judicial provision deducting three lashes for each day of detention.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, reported that her trial was held via video conference on November 19. After the court issued its ruling, Ms. Molaei’s sentence was partially served during her time in detention. The remaining 14 lashes were carried out at the Qarchak Prison Execution Office before her release.

The case dates back to October 31, when a video circulated on social media showing a male motorcyclist harassing Ms. Molaei in the street. She confronted her harasser in the incident, which went viral. Instead of receiving support, Ms. Molaei was summoned by judicial authorities for violating hijab laws. Authorities reportedly filed a case against the motorcyclist for harassment as well.

A source close to Ms. Molaei told HRANA that she was first arrested on November 2 and taken to the Duty Branch of District 38 Prosecutor’s Office. She was briefly released that evening but was summoned again the following day. On November 4, she was re-arrested and transferred to Qarchak Prison.

Ms. Molaei’s case has highlighted ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in Iran, particularly those who challenge or are accused of violating strict hijab laws.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Fine

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammadi Rahbari, Varamin

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Rahbari, a 26-year-old citizen currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six years in prison and a substantial monetary fine by the court.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining, “Mr. Mohammadi was recently sentenced by the judiciary to six years in prison and fined 250 million tomans (approximately $4,200).” The source added that he was arrested last year due to his activities on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), ahead of the first anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests. One of the main charges brought against him includes “manufacturing explosives for use in protests.”

Mohammadi was violently arrested on September 15, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. After some time in Ward 209, he was moved to the general ward.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi is a resident of Varamin.

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Parivash Moslemi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political defendant imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling recently issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Moslemi in prison two days ago, she has been sentenced to two years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to the family of this political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Moslemi did not attend any of the sessions related to her charges, including interrogations and court hearings. She had previously declared in writing and verbally that she did not recognize these proceedings and would not participate.”

Moslemi was arrested on July 7 after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in Varamin.

Political Detainee Parivash Moslemi Detained for Over 15 Days

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for over fifteen days with unclear legal status.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Moslemi was arrested on July 7th after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Parivash has also been charged with offenses such as ‘propaganda against the regime,’ ‘insulting the Founder and the Supreme Leader,’ and ‘assembly and collusion against national security.'”

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in 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.