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Ali Adinezadeh Arrested and Transferred to Quchan Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Adinezadeh, Ali Adinezadeh, HRANA, Quchan

Ali Adinezadeh, father of Abolfazl Adinezadeh, the teenager who was killed bu regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, was arrested today transferred to the city’s prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Adinezadeh’s arrest took place today, Wednesday, July 24, after he appeared at Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Quchan. Following his arrest, he was transferred to the city’s prison.
A source close to the family confirmed this news to HRANA and stated: “In recent days, Ali Adinezadeh received a summons to appear at the mentioned judicial branch to defend himself against charges, including ‘spreading falsehoods to disturb public opinion’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.'”

Adinezadeh has previously faced judicial actions due to his activities. His son, Abolfazl Adinezadeh was shot dead by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protest in Mashhad, reportedly by 25 bullets.

Mahnaz Tarah Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahnaz Tarah

Mahnaz Tarah, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide on the evening of Tuesday, July 23, by ingesting pills.

A source close to her family confirmed the news to HRANA: “On the evening of Tuesday, July 23, Ms. Tarah attempted suicide by ingesting pills. She was transferred to Loghman Hospital and returned to Evin Prison about an hour ago.”

Mahnaz Tarah was violently arrested by security forces on November 13, 2023, on a street in Tehran. She was eventually transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the public ward of the prison on November 23 of the same year.

In January of 2024, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to three years and eight months in prison for “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Her sentence was reduced to two years and nine months following a plea of no contest.

Mahnaz Tarah has had previous encounters with judicial and security authorities.

Sepideh Rashnu Summoned for Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
mandatory hijab, Sepideh Rashno, Sepideh Rashnu, سپیده رشنو

Sepideh Rashnu, a writer, student, and protester against mandatory hijab, has been summoned to serve her prison sentence. The Supreme Court has converted her prison sentence in another case to a fine.

Saman Rashnu, Sepideh’s brother, wrote on his personal page: “From March 10, 2024, until today, multiple notices have been sent to Sepideh, or she has been summoned by phone. Each time, Sepideh’s legal representative, Mr. Panahipour, or I visited the Enforcement of Judgments office to delay the sentence execution. We were trying to buy time, hoping the Supreme Court would acquit her in the second legal case to prevent the suspended sentence of the first case from being executed. The Supreme Court converted the prison sentence to a fine, but since the charge remains unchanged, the previous suspended sentence will be executed. Yesterday, the enforcement branch called, and Sepideh has to turn herself in to Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27.”

In mid-July 2022, a video surfaced online showing a confrontation between several women involving Rashnu on a BRT bus, where someone intervened in a woman’s dress under the pretext of “promoting virtue.” Some passengers confronted the person filming the protestors.

Subsequently, Rashnu was arrested for allegedly “insulting and assaulting the religious vigilante (hijab enforcer)” and was transferred to a security detention center. In December 2022, she received a suspended three-years, seven-months prison sentence for this case.

Faced with another judicial case, Ms. Rashnu was summoned and charged by Branch 1 of Evin’s Prosecutor’s Office in May 2023. In October of last year, Branch 1099 of the Ershad Court sentenced her to six months in prison, a ten million toman fine, and other additional punishments. Later, Branch 1 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals reduced the sentence to four months in prison, which was eventually converted to a fine by the Supreme Court.

In December last year, Rashnu’s lawyer announced that the second case was formed due to her appearance in her chosen attire in front of the court.

Sepideh Rashnu, aged around 30, is an undergraduate painting student at Alzahra University. She was also suspended for two semesters for not complying with the mandatory hijab.

Pakhshan Azizi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mahabad, Pakhshan Azizi

Pakhshan Azizi, a political detainee held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to Ms. Azizi in Evin Prison on Tuesday, July 23rd, she was sentenced to death on  multiple charges including “membership in anti-regime groups.” The court session to address the charges against this political detainee was held on May 28th of this year in the mentioned branch.
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.

Pakhshan 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.

Political Prisoner Hamidreza Sahlabadi Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, HRANA, حمیدرضا سهل آبادی

On Saturday, July 20th, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide by ingesting pills. Following the attempt, he was transferred to Loghman Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit and is not allowed visitors.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed Sahlabadi’s suicide attempt to HRANA: “Hamidreza attempted suicide by ingesting pills in protest against his summons again to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on July 27th . He was transferred to Loghman Hospital at 5 AM on Saturday, July 20th. He is currently in the intensive care unit. The authorities are preventing his family from visiting him, which has heightened their concerns about his health.”

This political prisoner was arrested on July 3, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home and transferred to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In July-August of last year, Mr. Sahlabadi was sentenced by the Criminal Court Two of Shahid Kachouyi Judicial Complex in Tehran to two years in prison on charges of “destruction of public property,” including time served. This sentence was upheld in late December of the same year by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

A court session regarding other charges in his case, along with seven other defendants, was held on June 30th in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges included “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “disruption of public order,” “propaganda against the regime,” “destruction of public property,” “armed rebellion,” and “membership in a rebellious group.”

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Mr. Sahlabadi also has a history of arrest and conviction in 2009.”

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.

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Seven Prisoners Executed in Birjand Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Amir Hamzeh Barahooie, Birjand, Bojnord, Citizen executed, Vahid Vahdani

Today, Tuesday, July 23rd, the death sentences of seven prisoners, including three women, who had previously been convicted in separate cases on drug-related charges, were carried out in Birjand Prison in South Khorasan province, according to Haal Vsh.

The identities of two of these prisoners have been reported as Amir Hamzeh Barahooie (Brahui) Mojarrad, married with two children, from Zabol and a resident of Fazl Abad in Golestan Province, and Vahid Vahdani, 33 years old, from Bojnord.

According to the report, these seven prisoners had previously been arrested in separate cases on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the judiciary.

These prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement on the night of Sunday, July 21st, in preparation for the execution.

The report, citing an informed source, stated: “Amir Hamzeh was arrested in 2019 and was later sentenced to death by the Birjand Revolutionary Court. After he appealed the verdict, it was overturned by the Supreme Court and referred to a another court branch, but he was ultimately sentenced to death again.”

A Prisoner Executed in Qom Prison for Murder

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Executions, News
Hassan Fallahi, Qom prison

On Monday, July 22nd, a death-row prisoner convicted of murder charges was executed in Qom Prison, according to the Iranian Human Rights Organization.

The identity of this prisoner has been reported as Hassan Fallahi, 30 years old, from Meshkin Dasht, Alborz Porvince.

The report, citing an informed source, stated: “Mr. Fallahi was arrested three years ago for the murder of his brother-in-law due to personal disputes and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.”

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by prison officials and 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.

Health Concerns for Political Prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Meysam Dehban-Zadeh, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, میثم دهبان زاده

Political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh is serving his sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj. Last year, he was beaten by prison guards and tied to a pole with handcuffs for a day. According to doctors, his left eye nerves are now damaged and are no longer treatable.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “In May of last year, following a quarrel among prisoners, Mr. Dehbanzadeh was beaten on the head with batons by six prison guards in Ward 5 of Greater Tehran Prison, where prisoners convicted of violent crimes are held. He was tied to a pole with handcuffs for a day. Last week, he was transferred to Farabi Hospital due to decreased vision and recurring headaches. Specialist doctors, after examination and an MRI of his left eye, announced that his vision problem is untreatable.”

According to HRANA’s information, this political prisoner has encountered difficulties in his daily tasks due to reduced vision in his left eye, increasing the concerns of his family about his physical condition.

On June 19th of this year, in relation to the Evin Prison fire case, Dehbanzadeh was sentenced by the Tehran Criminal Court II, presided over by Jabar Javadi, to six years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction,” 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order,” and 16 months in prison for the charge of “disobeying and resisting officers’ orders.”

Previously, in August 2023, Dehbanzadeh was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to six years in prison, a travel ban, and social deprivations.

Meysam Dehbanzadeh was released from Greater Tehran Prison on May 27, 2023, following the issuance of an “amnesty” directive related to his previous case.

A Report on the Latest Situation of Ali Pasban in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Ali Pasban, Isfahan, Kashan, Mashhad, Political Prisoner, Vakilabad prison, علی پاسبان

Ali Pasban, a political prisoner, is serving his seven-year sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He is being held in the same ward as prisoners convicted of violent crimes, in violation of prison regulations.

A source close to Mr. Pasban’s family told HRANA, “He is being held in the violent criminals’ ward, Salon 102, Ward 5 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, without adherence to the principle of separation of crimes. Recently, after he protested against the inappropriate behavior of a prison official, he was threatened. The guards told him they would hire individuals in that ward to harm him. He reported to his family about ongoing harassment, threats, and the danger to his life, and requested legal assistance.”

This citizen was arrested on August 26, 2021, in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in this city. In January 2022, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on charges of “membership in opposition groups intending to disrupt national security.”
Additionally, in March-April 2022, he was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”
Mr. Pasban had previously been convicted and served prison sentences in Isfahan and Kashan in 2018 and 2019 on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

Teachers’ Union Activist Mohammad Habibi Receives Six Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Evin Prison, mohammad habibi, Teachers union activist

Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Tehran Teachers’ Trade Association, has been sentenced to six months and one day in prison by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court.

Based on a verdict issued on July 21 by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Habibi, he has been sentenced to six months and one day in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” The court session for addressing Mohammad Habibi’s charges was held on June 29 of this year in the aforementioned branch.

On April 5, 2023, Habibi was arrested at his workplace in Tehran by security agents due to his protest posts regarding the serial poisoning attacks on schools across the country. He was eventually released on May 20 of the same year from Ward 209 of Evin Prison after posting bail.

It is worth noting that this spokesperson for the Teachers’ Trade Association was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran on April 30, 2022, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week in Iran and a protest gathering of educators. He was released from Evin Prison on February 8 of the following year.

In October 2022, he was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years and seven months in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” a two-year ban on activities and membership in groups, and a travel ban.

Habibi has a history of arrests and convictions due to his activities.