Report on Violent Arrest of Teenage Girls in Tehran Over Mandatory Hijab

On June 21, on a street in Tehran, two teenage girls were violently assaulted and arrested by agents enforcing a plan to impose hijab known as the “Noor Plan,” as reported by Ensaf News.

These girls were then transferred to the Morality Police in a white van. According to the mother of one of the girls, when she visited the Morality Police, she saw her daughter with a bruised face, swollen lips, a bruised neck, and torn clothes. Additionally, they were threatened not to file complaints against the officers.

This incident resulted in injuries to at least one of the girls, Nafas Haji-Sharif, 14 years old. Maryam Abbasi, Nafas Haji-Sharif’s mother, disclosed that on July 1, her daughter was beaten by agents. She provided documents, including a video of the confrontation recorded by CCTV cameras, to Ensaf News. The video released from the time of the girls’ arrest shows that the girls were trying to hide on another street but were attacked by the agents. In the video, one of the girls is seen being severely beaten by the officers. As she resisted arrest, the officers grabbed her hair, dragged her violently on the ground, and forced her into a white van.

Maryam Abbasi said, “The hijab enforcers violently forced my daughter and her friend into the van, and her head was slammed into an electric post. Inside the van, they put their foot on my daughter’s neck and pulled her hair.” She also provided pictures of the injuries on her daughter’s body.

Abbasi mentioned that when she went to the Morality Police, she found her daughter with a bruised face, swollen lips, and a bruised neck. She also claimed that the officers involved in the incident treated her dismissively and ignored her complaint. She stated that the on-duty judge allowed her access to the CCTV footage, but subsequent follow-ups have been unsuccessful. She continues to call on various police and judicial authorities to investigate and address her complaint.

Meanwhile, the Morality Police claim that a female officer’s fingers were broken in the altercation and that the case’s judge threatened them not to file a complaint against the officers. Abbasi said, “In the presence of a lawyer, they told me not to complain against the officers; otherwise, the Intelligence and Security forces would get involved, making it costly for you and out of our control.”

In April this year, Iranian police initiated the “Noor Plan” to crack down on women who do not comply with hijab regulations. Since then, there have been numerous reports of violent confrontations and arrests of women over the hijab.

Three Prisoners Executed in Adelabad Prison for Drug Offenses

On Saturday, August 3, 2024, the execution of three prisoners, previously sentenced to death on separate drug-related charges, was carried out in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

The identities of these prisoners have been reported as Javad Amiri, 35, Naghai Ghorbani, approximately 40, both from Bandar Abbas, and Reza (Hamid) Rostami, 32, from Shiraz.

According to a source, Javad Amiri and Naghai Ghorbani were arrested about three years ago in Shiraz on a joint case involving drug trafficking and were sentenced to death. Reza Rostami was also arrested about four years ago on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to death.

According to this report, these prisoners were transferred from Pirbano Prison, Shiraz, to Adelabad Prison in the same city a few days before their execution.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been announced by prison officials or 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.

Three Prisoners Executed in Bandar Abbas Prison

Today, August 6, the execution of three prisoners, previously sentenced to death on separate charges of murder and drug-related crimes, was carried out in Bandar Abbas Prison, as reported by Haal Vsh.

The identities of these prisoners are reported as: Aminollah Narui (Narooie), 42 years old, from Iranshahr; Hamzeh Garavand, approximately 28 years old, residing in Kuhdasht, Lorestan Province; and Azad Abdollahi, approximately 45 years old, from Bandar Abbas.

According to the report, Mr. Naroui was arrested in 2021, and Mr. Garavand in 2022, on drug-related charges in Bandar Abbas and were sentenced to death by the judiciary. Additionally, Mr. Abdollahi, along with another prisoner identified as Roozbeh (last name unknown), was arrested approximately 19 years ago on a joint murder charge and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. 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.

Five More Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

On Tuesday, August 6, five death-row prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, convicted of drug offenses, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution. Including sixteen other prisoners who were moved to solitary confinement in this prison on Sunday, a total of twenty-one prisoners are awaiting execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, who had previously been sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was carried out to execute their sentences. Further details, including the identities of these prisoners, are being investigated by HRANA.

It is worth noting that on Sunday, August 4, sixteen prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, four of whom had been sentenced to death on murder charges, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Report on the Latest Status of Amin Sokhanvar in Evin Prison

Political detainee Amin Sokhanvar remains for over fifteen months in legal limbo in Evin Prison.

Although two court sessions have been held for Sokhanvar, Judge Iman Afshari has not yet issued a verdict. The charges against this citizen include “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Sokhanvar is part of a joint case with seven other defendants: Hamidreza Sahlabadi, Ehsan Ravazjiyan, Nasim Gholami Simiyari, Ali Harati Mokhtari, Hossein Mohammad Hosseini, Amir Shah Velayati, and Hossein Ardestani.

Amin Sokhanvar, aged around 25, was arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran, in April-May 2023.

A source close to the family of this political detainee confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Amin’s arrest was due to his membership in the People’s Army group and suspicion of armed action.”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Reza Rasaei Executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah

On Tuesday, August 6, Reza Rasaei, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, was executed in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah.

Mr. Rasaei’s execution took place at dawn today, Tuesday, August 6, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without prior notice to his family or the opportunity for a final meeting with them.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, 34 years old, a follower of the Yarsan faith and a resident of Sahneh County, was sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in mid-October last year for the charge of “involvement in the intentional murder of Nader Birami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County.”

Following the confirmation of Reza Rasaei’s death sentence by the Seventeenth Branch of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad Barani, his case was referred to the Judgment Enforcement office on December 31, 2023.
A while ago, Branch 1 of the Supreme Court rejected the request for a retrial for this prisoner, calling it “lacking legal requirements.”

In addition to the capital punishment, Rasaei faces other charges, including non-fatal injury, threatening with a knife, and disturbing public order by causing unrest. Initially, he received additional penalties such as Diya (wergild), a year sentence, and 74 lashes.

The judge’s reliance on “forced confessions obtained from Rasaei during interrogation” played a significant role in his conviction and the imposition of the death penalty.

Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. Following the completion of the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.

Several other detainees of protests in Sahneh County on the November 18, 2022, also faced charges of murdering the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in this county. Seyed Masoum Razavi and (first name unknown) Beigi were among the other defendants in this case, with Masoum Razavi reportedly acquitted of the charges. The fate of the other defendant in this case remains unknown.

Varuzh Moradi Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence

Varuzh (Edris) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar, was arrested and transferred to an unknown location on Sunday, August 4, following a summons to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of this county.

A source close to Moradi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Moradi was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of Ravansar County on Sunday, August 4. After appearing at this security institution, he was arrested.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information available on the reasons for the arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges against him.

Varuzh (Varouj) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar in Kermanshah province, has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his activities.

Sixteen Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

On August 4th, sixteen prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death for non-political crimes, were transferred to solitary confinement for the execution of their sentences.

This transfer is for the execution of their death sentences. Four of them had previously been sentenced to death for murder charges. Additionally, five of these prisoners are Afhghan national.

Further details, including the identities of these prisoners and the charges against the remaining tweleve prisoners, are being investigated by HRANA.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Maryam Mehrabi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, to six years in prison and additional punishments.

Based on a verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammadreza Tavakoli, and delivered to Ms. Mehrabi yesterday, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “inciting people to wage war and killing to undermine national security.” Additionally, she has been sentenced to two years of dismissal from service and a two-year travel ban as complementary punishments.

According to HRANA reports, Mehrabi has been denied access to a lawyer. Another part of her case, concerning the charge of “spreading false information”, is under review by Criminal Court 2 of Isfahan.

Mehrabi was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18th. Recently, she went on a hunger strike in solitary confinement to protest her prolonged detention.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Maryam Mehrabi is a teacher and resident of Isfahan. She is the sister of political prisoner Mahmoud Mehrabi, who was sentenced to death in May this year by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court for “spreading corruption on earth.” His appeal was filed with the Supreme Court in June.

Four Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Sentenced to Prison

Ata Karimi, Gholam Gholizadeh, Sina Hassani, and Ali Azizi, Azerbaijani-Turk activists, have each been sentenced to two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court and delivered to these activists on Wednesday, July 31st, each of these individuals has been sentenced to two years in prison for the charge of “membership in a group aiming to disrupt national security.”

A source close to one of the families confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Previously, this case had been dismissed twice, but following an appeal by Mr. Khodaei, the Deputy Prosecutor, the case was reopened, and after nine years, this verdict was issued.”

In June 2015, these four citizens were arrested by security forces in Urmia in connection with this case and were released after about a week.

Gholam Gholizadeh, Ali Azizi, and Sina Hassani have faced legal actions and convictions in recent years due to their activities.