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Lawyer Behnam Nezadi Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Two-Year Ban on Practicing Law

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behnam Nezadi, HRANA, Tehran, بهنام نزادی

Behnam Nezadi, a member of the Central Bar Association, has been sentenced to one year in prison and a two-year ban on practicing law by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Arak.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Nezadi was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” As an additional penalty, he has been prohibited from practicing law for two years.

Another part of Mr. Nezadi’s case, involving charges of “spreading falsehoods” and “disclosing confidential information,” is still pending review at the Criminal Court No. 2 in Arak, awaiting assignment to a branch.

Mr. Nezadi’s preliminary interrogation took place in late July at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in District 23 of Tehran (special jurisdiction for interprovincial cases). During the session, he was charged with “propaganda against the regime,” “spreading falsehoods via cyberspace,” and “disclosing confidential investigative materials.” The authorities also cited actions such as “undermining the judiciary, eroding judges’ confidence, and attempting to overthrow the Islamic Republic” as examples of these allegations.

At the end of the interrogation, Mr. Nezadi was released on bail pending further proceedings. During the preliminary stages of the case, the investigating judge issued an order barring him from practicing law in Tehran.

Behnam Nezadi is the administrator of an Instagram page titled “Judicial Misconduct by Judges.” On this platform, he recently shared documents addressing the Disciplinary Prosecutor’s Office for Judges, arguing: “Filing complaints against judges is legally sanctioned, and encouraging people to seek legal recourse cannot be deemed a crime. Moreover, equating the judiciary as an institution with the entire regime is incorrect.”

Mr. Nezadi, a native of Arak and resident of Tehran, is a prominent lawyer and member of the Central Bar Association. His case is one of many highlighting the increasing restrictions imposed on lawyers and legal activists in Iran.

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.

66-Year-Old Political Prisoner Sudabeh Fakharzadeh Continues Serving Five-Year Sentence in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Sudabeh Fakharzadeh, Tehran, Zeynab Homrang Seyedbeglou, سودابه فخارزاده

Sudabeh Fakharzadeh, a 66-year-old political prisoner, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.

Fakharzadeh was convicted last year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.”

Ms. Fakharzadeh was arrested by security forces in Tehran’s Chitgar Park in March 2023. Following her interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on May 9, 2023.

Her co-defendant in the case, Ms. Zeynab Homrang Seyedbeglou, was released from Evin Prison yesterday.

Sudabeh Fakharzadeh is a former political prisoner, having also been incarcerated during the 1980s.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Four Political Defendants to Over 14 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
and Mehdi Touhidi, Azam Ahooghalander, Hossein Jafari, Karaj, Kiana Dalvand, Mahsa Amini, Mostafa Narimani, Nematollah Afshar

Azam Ahooghalander, Hossein Jafari, Nematollah Afshar, and Mehdi Touhidi, political defendants, have been collectively sentenced to 14 years and 10 months in prison and additional penalties by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. Another defendant in the case, Mohammad Azizi, was acquitted of the charges against him.

On November 26, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj, presided over by Judge Mostafa Narimani, issued its verdict. Azam Ahooghalander was sentenced to six years and two months in prison for “forming and leading a criminal group aimed at disrupting national security.” The other three defendants were convicted of “membership in a group with the same objective: Nematollah Afshar received three years and six months, Mehdi Touhidi-Asl was sentenced to three years and two months, and Hossein Jafari to two years in prison.

In addition, all four were sentenced to two years of travel bans and a two-year prohibition on online activities as supplementary punishments.

Mohammad Azizi, another defendant in the case, was acquitted of all charges.

The trial for these political defendants was held on November 9, 2023, in Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj.

These individuals were arrested on September 16, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s death, during a gathering at Azam Ahooghalander’s home. They were later released temporarily on bail.

Kiana Dalvand, the 16-year-old daughter of Azam Ahooghalander, was also arrested alongside the other defendants. She was detained in Kachouei Prison in Karaj and released after 20 days upon providing a written pledge.

Sarveh Pourmohammadi’s Prison Sentence Reduced to Five Years on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Nozhin, Sanandaj, Sarveh Pourmohammadi, سروه پورمحمدی

The Kurdistan Province Appeals Court has reduced the prison sentence of Sarveh Pourmohammadi to five years, according to Kurdpa. She had previously been sentenced to ten years by the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj during the preliminary trial.

According to the ruling issued by the Appeals Court, Ms. Pourmohammadi was convicted of forming groups with the intent to disrupt national security and sentenced to five years in prison.

The First Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj had earlier handed down a ten-year prison sentence on the same charges.

Sarveh Pourmohammadi, a member of the cultural and social association “Nozhin,” was arrested by security forces on January 29, 2023. After 16 days of detention at the Sanandaj Correctional Center, she was released on bail.

Prisoner Executed for Drug-Related Charges in Gorgan Prison

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Executions, News
Gorgan Prison, HRANA, Sabzevar

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Gorgan Prison.

The identity of the executed prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Farhad Khosrawi Sadkharv, a resident of Sabzevar.

Based on HRANA’s findings, Mr. Khosrawi had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

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

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

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Bushehr Cyber Police Arrests 12 for “Obscene Content” on Instagram

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Bushehr, FATA

According to ISNA, the head of the Cyber Police (FATA) in Bushehr Province has announced the arrest of 12 individuals—10 men and 2 women—on charges of “producing and sharing obscene content on Instagram.” The authorities have blocked the Instagram accounts associated with the group, and those arrested have been referred to judicial authorities.

Mehdi Ghasemi, the head of FATA in Bushehr, revealed that the group, allegedly led by two sisters, had been identified. They are accused of creating “vulgar videos,” including semi-nude, mixed-gender dancing clips, and sharing them across more than a dozen Instagram pages.

Following judicial authorization, the leaders and members of the group were detained. Ghasemi confirmed that their Instagram accounts were deactivated, and the individuals were handed over to the relevant judicial bodies.

The report did not disclose the identities or the current whereabouts of those arrested.

Prisoner Executed in Karaj Central Prison for Drug-Related Offenses

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Executions, News
Ehsan Basati Vali Abad, Ehsan Basati Valiabad, HRANA, Karaj Central Prison, Kuhdasht

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, a prisoner previously sentenced to death for drug-related offenses was executed in Karaj Central Prison.

The prisoner has been identified by HRANA as Ehsan Basati Valiabad, a 31-year-old resident of Kuhdasht. HRANA has also reported that three other death-row inmates were executed in the same prison on the previous day.

According to HRANA’s findings, Mr. Basati was arrested in 2020 in Karaj on charges related to drug offenses and was subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. On Sunday, November 24, he was moved to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution.

As of this report, the execution has not been publicly announced by prison officials or other responsible authorities.
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.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Sayyad Mohammadian Arrested in Karaj

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Karaj, Miandoab, Sayyad Mohammadian

On Monday, November 25, 2024, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Sayyad Mohammadian was arrested by security forces at his home in Karaj and transferred to Kachooie Prison.

A source close to his family confirmed the arrest, stating: “Sayyad Mohammadian was detained by security forces at his residence in Karaj. Following inquiries by his family, they were informed that he was arrested to begin serving his six-month sentence.”

Mohammadian was previously arrested in Karaj by security forces on May 15, 2024, and later released on bail on June 15, 2024, from Karaj Central Prison.

He was convicted by the Karaj Revolutionary Court of “propaganda against the regime” and sentenced to six months in prison. The sentence was upheld by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals.

Sayyad (Ovchu) Mohammadian, from Miandoab, currently resides in a village near Karaj. He has previously faced arrest and interrogation for his activism.

Three Prisoners Executed on Drug Charges in Karaj Central Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Karaj, Karaj Central Prison

At dawn on Monday, November 25, 2024, three prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were executed in Karaj Central Prison.

The identities of the executed individuals have been confirmed as Ashkan Moradi, Jalal Haj Babayi, and Davood Heidari. All three had been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

Two days prior to the executions, on Saturday, November 23, the prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their sentences to be carried out.

Notably, another prisoner, Ehsan Basati, who was also on death row for similar charges, had his execution postponed and was returned to the prison’s general ward.

As of the time of publication, neither prison officials nor relevant authorities have officially announced these 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.

Ali Teymouri Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Teymouri, HRANA, علی تیموری

Ali Teymouri, a war veteran from the Iran-Iraq war, has been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court to one year in prison, a two-year ban on membership in social groups, and a travel ban.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Teymouri was convicted of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison sentence, he faces complementary punishments, including a two-year prohibition from participating in social groups and organizations and a ban on leaving the country.

The verdict also acquitted Teymouri of charges related to alleged connections with anti-regime groups.

Ali Teymouri was arrested on February 3, 2024, after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Eshtehard, Alborz Province. He was released two days later, on February 5, after posting bail.

Teymouri, a resident of Karaj, is a veteran injured during the Iran-Iraq war.