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Two Prisoners Executed in Karaj and Gorgan

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Executions, News
Elias Rezaie, Gorgan, Karaj, Naser Shafiee, Takab

At dawn on Wednesday, August 14, the execution of two prisoners, previously sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, was carried out in Gorgan Prison and the Central Prison of Karaj.

According to Iran Human Rights Organization, Elias Rezaie, approximately 40 years old was executed in Gorgan Prison. This prisoner had been previously arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

Additionally, on that day, the execution of another prisoner identified as Naser Shafiee, 37 years old, from Takab and residing in Tehran, was carried out in the Central Prison of Karaj. This prisoner had been arrested about four years ago on charges of murdering his wife and was subsequently sentenced to death.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions. 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 the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad Arrested by Security Forces

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News, Other
Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad, Mahabad

On Wednesday, August 14th, Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad, a 45-year-old resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest occurred in Mahabad without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for the arrest, the location of detention, or the charges against her.

Death-Row Political Prisoner Pakhshan Azizi Hit with New Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Courthouse, Mahabad, Pakshan Azizi, Tehran

Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to death and currently held in Evin Prison, is now facing new charges, as reported by Kurdpa.

The report states that Ms. Azizi has been accused of “rioting in prison” in a new case initiated by Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. This charge is reportedly related to the second round of the 1403 presidential elections.

Earlier this month, Ms. Azizi was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges including membership in anti-regime groups.

Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

This political detainee was deprived of the right to access a private lawyer and meet with her family for a long time. Eventually, after four months of interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Ms. Azizi was formally charged in February of 2023 at Evin Courthouse, and her indictment was referred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Azizi had previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations. She was detained by security forces on November 16, 2009, and released on bail after four months.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Hamid Haji Abdolpour Sentenced to Prison after Retrial

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Amirkabir University of Technology, Hamid Haji Abdolpour, Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison

The six years, seven months, and sixteen days prison sentence of Hamid Haji Abdolpour, a graduate of Amirkabir University of Technology, has been fully upheld by Branch 20 of the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province.

After the acceptance of Mr. Haji Abdolpour’s request for a retrial by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, his case was sent to a parallel branch. Recently, Branch 20 of the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province upheld his sentence of six years, seven months, and sixteen days in prison.

Haji Abdolpour was initially sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to six years in prison for the charge of “forming a Telegram group with the intent of disrupting national security,” and eight months for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In June-July 2023, Branch 4 of the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province reduced his sentence for propaganda against the regime by 14 days, resulting in a final sentence of six years, seven months, and sixteen days in prison. Finally, in late November of last year, after spending 46 days in solitary confinement at the IRGC’s detention facility in Razavi Khorasan Province, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to serve his sentence.

In separate letters to the Office of the Supreme Leader’s Representative in Universities, the Judiciary’s Intelligence Protection Unit, and the General Inspection Organization of the IRGC, Haji Abdolpour revealed the mistreatment he suffered during interrogations, aimed at extracting forced confessions.

He recently submitted a request for a retrial to the highest judicial authority in the country. After the Supreme Court accepted his request for a retrial and he was temporarily released on bail, the president of Amirkabir University expressed support for him in a letter to the head of the Judiciary in Razavi Khorasan Province. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, and after the case was reviewed again, Mr. Haji Abdolpour was sentenced to prison by the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province.

Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi Acquitted of Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babol, Isfahan, Protest Rapper, revolutionary court, Toomaj Salehi, توماج صالحی

After a retrial of Toomaj Salehi’s case, Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan acquitted him of the charges brought against him.

Amir Raisian, Mr. Salehi’s lawyer, stated: “Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, in the 2022 case against Toomaj Salehi, has issued an acquittal on the charge of ‘ spreading corruption on earth,’ which previously carried a death sentence. For the other charges, the court issued a temporary stay of prosecution. Additionally, the court referred the charges of ‘spreading falsehoods online’ and ‘disturbing public order’ to Criminal Court 2 due to lack of jurisdiction.”

In April of this year, Salehi had been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan on the charge of ‘spreading corruption on earth,’ but this sentence was overturned in early July by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, and the case was sent to Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan.

He was arrested in late October 2022 in connection with the nationwide protests by security forces. Official news agencies claimed that he was attempting to illegally leave the country through the western borders, a claim denied by his associates. In July last year, he was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan to six years and three months in prison, a travel ban, a ban on producing music and singing, and two years of mandatory behavior management and skills training. After this sentence was overturned by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, he was released on bail on November 18, 2023.

Nevertheless, Salehi’s freedom was short-lived as he was re-arrested in Babol on November 30, just twelve days after being bailed out from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The Judiciary spokesperson cited Salehi’s post-release statement as grounds for this subsequent arrest.

In January of 2024, in another part of his case, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced him to one year in prison, two years of passport invalidation, and participation in behavior management courses on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime.’ This sentence was upheld by the Isfahan Provincial Court of Appeals in late February. Late last year, Branch 117 of Criminal Court 2 in Isfahan acquitted him of the charges of ‘spreading falsehoods’ and ‘inciting violence.’

Toomaj Salehi, a protest rapper from Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, had previously been sentenced to six months in prison and a fine in 2021 for ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’

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Three Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ali Niazi, Behrouz Vafaie, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj

On August 14, 2024, the death sentences of three prisoners, convicted of drug-related charges, were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

HRANA has identified two of the executed prisoners as Behrouz Vafaie and Ali Niazi. The third prisoner, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was a Afghan national.

These prisoners had been arrested on drug-related charges and were later sentenced to death by the judiciary. They were transferred to solitary confinement on Monday in preparation for their executions.

As of the time this report was compiled, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

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.

Two Prisoners Executed in Sabzevar Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Musa-Reza Ebrahimi, Sabzevar, Zardkoohi

Today, August 14, 2024, the death sentences of two prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Sabzevar Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoners as “Musa-Reza Ebrahimi, 24, and Reza Zardkoohi, 31.”
These individuals had been arrested on drug-related charges and were later sentenced to death by the judiciary. Mr. Ebrahimi was arrested approximately three years ago in connection with these charges and was subsequently transferred to Sabzevar Prison.

The prisoners were moved to solitary confinement yesterday in preparation for their executions.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

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.

Isfahan: Indictment Issued for Ten Baha’i Women

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News, Religious Minorities
Arezoo Sobhanian, Bahareh Lotfi, Isfahan, Mojgan Shahrezaie, Neda Badakhsh, Neda Emadi, Negin Khademi, Parastoo Hakim, Shana Shoughifar, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh

The indictment for ten Baha’i women residing in Isfahan, including Neda Badakhsh, Arezoo Sobhanian, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaie, Parastoo Hakim, Yeganeh Agahi, Bahareh Lotfi, Shana Shoughifar, Negin Khademi, and Neda Emadi, has been issued by the city’s Prosecutor’s Office.

The charges against Neda Badakhsh, 60, Arezou Sobhaniyan, 48, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, 20, Mojgan Shahrezaei, 32, Parastoo Hakim, 47, Yeganeh Agahi, 31, Bahareh Lotfi, 27, Shana Shoughifar, 27, Negin Khademi, 34, and Neda (Shahla) Emadi, 42, include “propaganda against the regime” and “engaging in propaganda/educational activities against Sharia of Islam.”

These ten Baha’i women were arrested by security forces on October 23, 2023, and released on bail from Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan at different times over two months. Among there people, Yeganeh Agahi has a previous record of arrest.

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.

Four Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
Ali Mahdian, Mohammad Ansari Qeshlaq, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

According to Iran Human Rights Organization, the death sentences of four prisoners, including two Afghan nationals who had previously been convicted of murder, were carried out in Tabriz Prison

Two of these prisoners were Afghan nationals. The identities of the other two prisoners have been reported as “Mohammad Ansari Qeshlaq, 44, from Qeshlaq village in Tabriz, and Ali Mahdian, 32, from Hashtrood.”

They had been arrested on charges of murder and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

The report states that Ali Mahdian had been arrested three years ago on charges of premeditated murder following a financial dispute. Mohammad Ansari Qeshlaq had spent the last four years in this prison and was recently transferred from Ward 4 to solitary confinement in preparation for his execution.

As of the time this report was compiled, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

Two Prisoners Executed in Bandar Abbas Prison

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Executions, News
Abdollah Lashtghooni, Bandar Abbas prison, Bandar Khamir, Bandar Lengeh, Hamed Mozaffari, HRANA

On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, two death-row prisoners convictied of charges related to drug offenses and murder were executed in Bandar Abbas Prison.

HRANA has identified these prisoners as “Abdollah Lashtghooni from Bandar Khamir and Hamed Mozaffari from Bandar Lengeh.”

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Lashtghooni had been sentenced to death for drug-related charges, while Mr. Mozaffari was sentenced to death for murder.

These prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement yesterday, along with a third prisoner, in preparation for the execution. The third prisoner, who was also sentenced to death for murder, was returned to the ward.

As of the time this report was compiled, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.