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.

Concerns Rise as Khaled Pirzadeh Hospitalized in Evin Prison

Political prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh has been hospitalized since January 19, 2024, due to a deteriorating health condition.

A reliable source close to Pirzadeh’s family confirmed the news, stating, “Last week, Pirzadeh was admitted to Loghman Hospital in Tehran due to heart arrhythmia. He is currently in the ICU with a bound chain on his ankle.”

Earlier this year, Pirzadeh was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

In September 2023, security forces arrested Pirzadeh in Ahvaz, and he was subsequently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran. On October 15, he was moved to Ward 6 within the same prison.

It is noteworthy that Pirzadeh has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Mahvash Seydal Receives Suspended Sentence and Additional Penalties

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict against Mahvash Seydal Tadooei, an active participant in social media communities on Clubhouse, sentencing her to one year of suspended imprisonment. In addition to the suspended sentence, Seydal faces a fine, a five-year ban on leaving the country, and five years of restrictions on using social media.

Seydal has been charged with “disseminating false information to disturb public opinions.” Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, imposed the same punishment. During the trial, the act of publishing posts on social media was presented as evidence to support this charge.

On June 21, 2023, Seydal, along with several others, was apprehended by security forces in Tehran for their activities in Clubhouse. Subsequently, on July 23, she was granted release on bail from Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Update on Fereshteh Nouri’s Condition in Evin Prison

Fereshteh (Tahereh) Nouri, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison since July 3, 2023.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional year for “disturbing public order.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five-year imprisonment was mandated for the first count.

Nouri’s arrest occurred during the protests in Tehran on September 25, 2023, leading to her spending 23 days in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released on bail.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

Four Baha’i Citizens Sentenced Each to Five Years in Prison

In a ruling by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Shadi Shahidzadeh, Mansour Amini, Valiollah Ghadamian, and Ataollah Zafar, four Baha’i citizens, have each been sentenced to five years in prison.

Judge Iman Afshar, presiding over the court, issued these sentences based on the charge of “membership in illegal groups to disrupt national security.” The court session took place on May 31, 2023.
According to a reliable source close to their families, who spoke to HRANA, despite starting their trial, they are still under interrogation as they are jailed in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

These Bahais were arrested by security forces on May 1, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of 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.

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Abdollah Momeni Detained in Solitary Confinement at Ward 209 of Evin Prison

On April 27th, political activist Abdollah Momeni was arrested by intelligence agents at his residence in Tehran and taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Momeni is being held in solitary confinement at Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Momeni’s son, Hamidreza Momeni, shared that his father was able to make a short call to the family and inform them of his current situation.

Security forces searched his house during the arrest and seized some of his personal belongings.

Momeni is a well-known former student activist who served as the spokesperson for the Alumni Association of Iran (Advar-e Tahkim Vahdat) organization two decades ago. In March 2014, he was released from Evin Prison after serving a five-year sentence.

Former Political Prisoner Javad Seyedi Arrested in Tehran

Last Saturday, July 2, intelligence agents arrested former political prisoner Javad Seyedi during a pensioners’ protest in Tehran and transferred him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, former political prisoner Javad Seyedi was arrested in Tehran.

An informed source told HRANA, “Seyedi was arrested during a pensioners’ protest. He is currently held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison without access to a lawyer and family visit.”

In August of 2021, Seyedi was released on probation from Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to three years and nine months on the charge of “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security”, and eight months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. Later, his sentence was reduced to two years and nine months.

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi Goes on Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

On Monday, June 13, 2022, Reza Shahabi, trade union activist and a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company started his hunger strike in protest against his prolonged detention. Shahabi who suffers from poor health has been detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for over 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Monday, June 13, 2022, trade union activist Reza Shahabi went on hunger strike to protest against his detention.

Last Sunday, Shahabi’s detention was extended for one month.

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, security forces arrested Reza Shahabi at his house in Tehran.

In previous years, Reza Shahabi faced other arrests and convictions for his civil activities.

Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi in Detention for 22 Days

Workers’ rights activist Anisha Asadollahi is still in detention 22 days after she was arrested. Another workers’ rights activist Keyvan Mohtadi is also detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On Monday, May 9, 2022, security forces arrested both at their house.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi have been held in detention for the past 22 days while the charges against them are still unknown.

Last Saturday, Anisha’s Brother, Ali Asadollahi wrote on social media that after three weeks, Anisha was allowed to call her mother and told her that the reasons for the arrest and the charges are still not clear. 

On Monday, May 9, 2022, Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi were arrested by security forces in their house. Their lawyer, Amir Raisian has been denied so far any access to their case and he was only told that they have been arrested on national security charges.

Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi had been arrested and convicted before for their civil activities. On May 1, 2019, with many other workers and worker’s rights activists, Anisha Asadollahi was arrested at a gathering for the celebration of international workers’ Day. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced her to one-year imprisonment (of which six months were suspended) and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing the public order”. She was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing on January 4, 2020, and was freed on January 21 of that year.

Anisha Asadollahi is an electrical engineer and a graduate of K. N. Toosi University of Technology. She works as an English teacher.

Civil Activist Farideh Moradkhani Still in Detention after Three Months

After three months, civil activist Farideh Moradkhani is still detained in an uncertain condition in a solitary confinement cell in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On January 13, 2022, intelligence agents in Tehran arrested Mrs Moradkhani.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, civil activist Farideh Moradkhani was still in unlawful detention awaiting further legal proceedings in Evin prison.

On January 13, 2022, she was arrested by security forces while returning to her house. At the time of her arrest, the intelligence agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings. One day after, in a phone call, she informed her family that she was detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

The reason for this arrest and the charges she has faced are still unknown.

She had also been arrested on previous occasions due to her civil activities.