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Hora Nikbakht Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Hora Nikbakht, حورا نیکبخت

Hora Nikbakht, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on the verdict recently issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Nikbakht in Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27th, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The court session addressing these charges took place on July 10th in the mentioned branch.

Hora Nikbakht, a resident of Tehran, was arrested on June 12th after appearing at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Previously, this citizen had been summoned to the aforementioned judicial authority to defend against the assigned charges upon receiving a notice.

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.

Two Members of Mohammad Hassanzadeh’s Family Arrested in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Solmaz Hassanzadeh

Kurdpa reports that on July 30, Ahmad Hassanzadeh and Solmaz Hassanzadeh, the father and sister of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, were arrested by security forces in Bukan and taken to an unknown location.

The report states that these individuals were arrested by security forces with physical violence at their private residence in Bukan. The officers also confiscated the mobile phones of the father, daughter, and mother.

According to a source cited in the report, “This family was attempting to hold a ceremony to commemorate the birthday of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests. However, the security agencies prevented this and arrested them.”

As of the time of this report, the whereabouts and the charges against these citizens are unknown.

Ahmad Hassanzadeh and his approximately 30-year-old daughter, Solmaz, were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Bukan and interrogated on September 5, 2023.

Additionally, Ms. Hassanzadeh was arrested at a checkpoint between Bukan and Saqqez by security forces on September 27 last year and was released shortly thereafter.

It is worth noting that Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old resident of Bukan, was shot by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and succumbed to his injuries on November 16 of the same year.

Ali Rezaie Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Rezaie, Evin Prison, Reza Shafakhah, علی رضایی

Ali Rezaie, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Reza Shafakhah, Mr. Rezaie’s defense attorney, announced this news and wrote: “My client Ali Rezaie, who was arrested during the 2022 protests while still a teenager, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.”

Ali Rezaie, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces at his residence on December 4, 2022, in connection with the nationwide protests. Following his arrest, he was initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, and eventually transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. After one year, he was released from this prison on bail.

Last November, Reza Shafakhah provided an update on his client’s case: “My client was under 18 years old at the time of his arrest. After his case was referred to the Revolutionary Court, we challenged the jurisdiction of the court and requested that the case be referred to the juvenile court. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court made its decision and recognized Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court as competent to handle the case.”

Previously, the indictment against Mr. Rezaie was issued on charges of “assaulting a police officer” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.”

 

Political Prisoner Reza Salmanzadeh Denied Medical Care in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Payam Salmanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh, رضا سلمان زاده

Reza Salmanzadeh, a political prisoner in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, despite his poor physical condition, has been deprived of proper medical care.

Payam Salmanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh’s son, released a video stating: “My father suffers from heart disease, hernia, and kidney stones, and these physical problems have worsened since the Evin Prison fire incident and him being beaten. Nonetheless, my father still has not received medical care.”
Reza Salmanzadeh was arrested by security forces at his residence in April-May 2022 and transferred to Evin Prison. He was later sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to three years and eight months in prison. This case was closed in February of 2023 following a “pardon and commutation” directive.

On the evening of October 15, 2022, a fire was seen rising over Evin Prison following a tense situation, and the sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Contrary to officials’ claims of controlling the fire and confrontation, the gunfire continued for hours. Following this incident, a case was filed by the Prisons Organization against several prisoners, including Reza Salmanzadeh.

On June 18, 2024, the trial session for forty defendants accused in the so-called Evin Prison fire case was held in Branch 1148 of Criminal Court Two in Tehran.

Salmanzadeh was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction,” one year in prison for “disrupting prison order,” and one year in prison for “defying and disobeying officials’ orders.”

Report on Mohammad Rezvani Kashani’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Rezvani Kashani, Political Prisoner

Mohammad Rezvani Kashani, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Evin Prison. Despite his poor physical condition, he has been deprived of proper medical care.

A source close to the family of this prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA and said: “Mr. Kashani suffers from multiple physical ailments such as a herniated disc, kidney infections, and urinary tract bleeding, and he needs treatment. However, he has been denied proper medical care and transfer to medical centers outside the prison.”

Mohammad Rezvani Kashani was arrested by The Ministry of Intelligence at his residence in July-August 2023 and was transferred to Wards 240 and 209 of Evin Prison. He was later moved to Ward 4 of this prison.

He was then sentenced to fifteen months of suspended imprisonment for the charge of blasphemy. In another part of his case, he was sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, to one year in prison for the charge of propaganda against the regime. A quarter of this prison sentence was reduced by the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Mohammad Rezvani Kashani, aged around 49, is a researcher and philosophy lecturer.

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Baha’i Citizen Nahid Behroozi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Alborz province, Bahais, Fardis County, Nahid Behroozi, ناهید بهروزی

On July 29, the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen residing in Fardis County, Alborz Province. They also searched her residence and confiscated several of her personal belongings.

A source close to this citizen’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “Ms. Behroozi was arrested today, Monday, July 29, 2024, by Ministry of Intelligence agents at her home. The agents also searched her home and confiscated several items, including her mobile phone, laptop, and computer.”

So far, the reasons for her arrest and the charges against Ms. Behroozi have not been disclosed.

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.

Inmate Executed in Minab Prison for Murder

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Executions, News
Jask, Mahim Jangi-Zahi, Minab, Minab Prison

Today, July 29, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death for murder was carried out in Minab Prison, Hormozgan province, acording to Haal Vsh.

The identity of this prisoner has been reported as “Mahim Jangi-Zahi, from Jask County.”

According to the report, Mr. Jangi-Zahi was arrested four years ago on charges of murder and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judicial authority.

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.

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 Political Prisoner Masoud Akbari’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Masoud Akbari, Parviz Akbari, مسعود اکبری

Masoud (Parviz) Akbari, a political prisoner, is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to five years of enforceable imprisonment by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on reports received by HRANA, Mr. Akbari, who was arrested during the anniversary of the nationwide protests in 2022, was sentenced to nine years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the maximum punishment of five years is enforceable in his case.

The charges against Akbari include “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “membership in groups or organizations formed inside the country to undermine national security,” and “active and effective efforts to advance the goals of groups that have risen in armed rebellion against the regime.”

Akbari was arrested by security forces on September 16, 2023, on a street in Tehran and was transferred to Evin Prison after being held for two months in IRGC custody. It is worth mentioning that some of Mr. Akbari’s personal belongings were confiscated at the time of his arrest.

Masoud Akbari, aged around 37, is active in theater and is the father of one child.

Update on Political Prisoner Mehdi Saleh Yazdani’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, مهدی صالح یزدانی

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, a political prisoner, is serving a ten-year prison sentence on charges of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) in Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Yazdani was sentenced to ten years in prison at Kahnouj Prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar in February-March 2024 on charges of “moharebeh” through the arson of a mosque in the vicinity of Shahriar.

A source close to this political prisoner’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Mr. Yazdani’s defense attorney has appealed the mentioned charge, and his client’s case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.”

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani was arrested on December 18, 2022, by IRGC intelligence officers at his home in Shahriar. After completing the interrogation process at one of the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities, he was transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Subsequently, Mr. Yazdani was charged at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shahriar with “moharebeh” through the arson of a mosque and “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

On April 10, 2023, he, along with several other political and ideological prisoners, was transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Evin Prison. He is currently held in Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, aged around 56, is the father of a daughter and a resident of Shahriar. Before his arrest, he was a taxi driver.

Three Prisoners Executed in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad

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Executions, News
Azim Amraie, Khorramabad, Parsilon Prison

On Saturday, July 27th, the death sentences of three prisoners, previously convicted on drug-related charges, were carried out in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad.

HRANA has identified one of the prisoners executed this morning as Azim Amraie.
They had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and then sentenced to death by the judiciary.

It is worth noting that on July 20, Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad also witnessed the execution of another prisoner named Saeed Sepehvand, who had been sentenced to death on similar charges.

Ast the time of thie wirting, the execution of these prisoners has not been announced by prison officials or the relevant authorities.
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.