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Sama Amooshahi Detained in Isfahan

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Isfahan, Sama Amooshahi, Samaneh Amooshahi, سما عموشاهی

On May 25, 2024, Sama (Samaneh) Amooshahi, aged 33, was taken into custody by security forces in Isfahan.

A report from HRANA highlights that she was apprehended at her home in Isfahan. Amooshahi, who is battling thyroid cancer, is in a precarious health situation due to limited access to necessary medications and treatment, causing significant concern among her family members.

Previously, on July 11, 2023, Amooshahi and 11 others were separately detained by security personnel in Isfahan. She was subsequently released on bail from a prison in Isfahan the following month. Given that her legal proceedings are still underway at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Isfahan, her recent arrest appears to be connected to the ongoing case.

Two Baha’is Detained in Rasht

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'is arrested, HRANA, Nazila Khanipour, Rasht, Vesal Heravi

On May 28, 2024, IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Nazila Khanipour and her son Vesal Heravi, both Baha’i residents of Rasht, and took them to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrests to HRANA. The agents raided Khanipour’s home, searched the premises, confiscated personal items, and detained her without presenting an arrest warrant. Concurrently, Heravi was arrested at his workplace. He managed to make a brief phone call to his family.
Previously, Khanipour had been arrested, and Heravi was expelled from the university by order of intelligence agencies.

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.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Detained in Jafarabad

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News, Other
Alireza Asadpour, Ardabil, Jafarabad

On May 25,  2024, Alireza Asadpour, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was detained by security forces in Jafarabad, Ardabil Province, and taken to an undisclosed location.

The reasons for Asadpour’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unclear. He holds a degree in law.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Appellate Court Confirms Lengthy Sentences for Eleven Women’s Rights Advocates

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Gilan province, Hooman Taheri, Jelveh Javaheri, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Sia, Yasamin Hashdari, Zohreh Dadras

The Appellate Court of Gilan Province has confirmed a total of over 60 years in prison sentences for eleven women’s rights advocates.

The ruling, issued on May 28 by Branch 11 and overseen by Judge Mohammad-Sadegh Iran-Aghideh, includes a sentence of nine years, six months, and two days for Zohreh Dadras. She was charged with “forming a group to act against national security.”

Others, including Forough Saminia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaie, Azadeh Chavoshian, and Matin Yazdani, received six years and 47 days each for “joining a group to act against national security.” Additionally, Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri were each sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The original verdict was issued in late March 2024 following their detention in various cities across Gilan province on August 16 and 17, 2023. They were later released on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht pending the outcome of their appeals.

 

Political Prisoner Ali Maghsadjoo Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Ali Maghsadjoo, Evin Prison, HRANA

Ali Maghsadjoo, a political prisoner, is currently serving an 18-month sentence in Evin Prison and has been denied necessary medical care despite suffering from significant health issues.

According to a source close to his family, speaking to HRANA, Maghsadjoo requires treatment for back and knee problems that necessitate attention from a hospital outside the prison environment. However, prison authorities have consistently refused to allow him hospital access.

Maghsadjoo was initially detained by security forces on July 6, 2022, and held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is managed by the Ministry of Intelligence. He was formally charged after three months and temporarily released on bail. Judge Abolghasem Salavati of Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to two years on charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “collecting and leaking classified data.” This sentence was later reduced to 18 months following a plea of no contest.

The 48-year-old father of two began his incarceration at Evin Prison on June 24, 2023.

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Baha’i Sepideh Rashidi Detained in Ahvaz by IRGC Intelligence

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, IRGC Intelligence, Sepideh Rashidi

IRGC intelligence officials have detained Baha’i citizen Sepideh Rashidi (Derakhshan) in Ahvaz, subsequently transferring her to an undisclosed location. This action has significantly heightened her family’s concerns due to the absence of information about her current condition.

A source close to Rashidi’s family confirmed to HRANA that her arrest occurred on Monday, May 27, 2024. During the arrest, IRGC Intelligence agents conducted an extensive search of her family’s home and seized some of her personal belongings.

As of now, the reasons for Rashidi’s arrest, her exact whereabouts, and any formal charges remain undisclosed.

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.

Zhina Modarresi Gorji Receives 21-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Hamedan prison, Jina Modarresi Gorji, Zhina Modarresi Gorji

The Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj sentenced Zhina (Jina) Modarresi Gorji to 21 years in prison and mandated her exile, as reported by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations.

The sentence comprises ten years for “forming illegal groups aimed at overthrowing the regime,” ten years for “collaborating with hostile countries and groups,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, the court decreed her imprisonment to be served in exile at Hamedan Prison. The case has also been referred to the Criminal Court of Sanandaj to consider further charges, including “disseminating false information” and “inciting people to violence.”

This ruling was notably influenced by reports from the Ministry of Intelligence.

Also, on April 16, 2024, authorities closed Gorji’s bookstore in response to alleged violations of hijab regulations enforced by the Department of Public Safety.

Gorji was initially arrested by security forces on April 10, 2023, in Sanandaj and held at Sanandaj Correctional Prison until her release on bail on July 3, 2023. She had also been previously detained in September 2022 but was released on bail on October 30 of that year.

Widespread Arrests at Islamic Azad University Central Tehran for Alleged Hijab Non-Compliance

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News, Students, Women
compulsory hijab, HRANA, Islamic Azad University, Noor plan

On May 26, multiple reports surfaced of the arrest of female students at Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch due to alleged non-compliance with hijab regulations.

According to Amir Kabir news channel, at least 100 students were forcibly detained by police armed with guns and batons at the university gates. The students were taken to two vans and were only released after signing a commitment letter to adhere to hijab rules, with some being allowed to leave only after changing their veil.

This incident is part of the broader enforcement under the “Noor” plan, initiated on April 13 to intensify the enforcement of mandatory hijab laws. This has led to several reports of violent incidents and arrests concerning hijab regulations across the country.

In September, HRANA issued a detailed review of Iran’s “Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab.” This bill has raised international alarms over escalating restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms.

Attorney Amir-Hossein Koohkan Sentenced to Six Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir-Hossein Koohkan, Kachooie Prison, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, امیرحسین کوهکن

The Revolutionary Court in Karaj has sentenced attorney Amir-Hossein Koohkan to six years in prison on political charges. Koohkan faced accusations of “assembly and collusion against national security and propaganda against the regime.”

He was initially detained on August 30, 2023, after being summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Karaj and was later released on bail from Kachooie prison in mid-December 2023.

Koohkan served as the legal representative for the family of Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, who was executed following his arrest during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Koroush Jalil Detained by the Ministry of Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News

On May 24, 2024, Koroush Jalil was detained by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a source close to his family.

Confirming Jalil’s arrest, a source close to his family informed HRANA that the Ministry of Intelligence is responsible for his arrest.

Jalil previously faced arrest on May 12, 2022, in connection with a protest organized by working and retired teachers and educators in Yasuj. After being formally charged, he was temporarily released on bail.

In February 2024, Jalil was again implicated in legal issues, facing multiple charges including “propaganda against the regime through activities on Instagram,” “inciting violence by calling for protests and causing unrest via social media posts,” “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and “blasphemy, which includes derogatory comments about the Quran, Kaaba, the Islamic prophet, and Shia Imams.”

In March of the same year, the Revolutionary Court of Yasuj convened to address these allegations against Jalil and five other co-defendants.

Jalil, a 43-year-old resident of Yasuj, has previously encountered law enforcement and undergone prior arrest due to his activism.