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Security Forces Arrest Mother and Daughter in Malekan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Akram Kookhian, East Azerbaijan province, Farangis Fathi, HRANA, Malekan, اکرم کوخیان, فرنگیس فتحی

On May 12, 2024, security forces in Malekan, East Azerbaijan province, arrested Farangis Fathi and her daughter, Akram Kookhian. The arrests occurred at their home, from where they were taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that the operation involved several agents who forcibly entered the residence, breaking a window and conducting an extensive search. During the raid, their car and various personal items were seized.

Additional reports obtained by HRANA indicate that the security team, consisting of five agents, used pepper spray against Fathi and Kookhian during a confrontation sparked by the latter’s protest. The agents returned a few hours later to conduct a second search of the property.

The reasons for the arrests, the current location of the detained individuals, and any charges filed remain undisclosed at this time.

Four Convicts Executed at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan

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Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, Ghasem Salehi, Isfahan, Jafar Hosseinzadeh, Majid Rezaie, Masoud Estaki, Mostafa Ahgh-Mohammadi

On May 12, 2024, Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan was the site of the execution of four inmates, all convicted of a murder committed a decade ago.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the individuals executed were Masoud Estaki, Jafar Hosseinzadeh, Majid Rezaie, and Mostafa Ahgh-Mohammadi.

These men, along with Ghasem Salehi, were involved in a group altercation that resulted in the death of an individual identified only by the initials Sh.K. They were collectively sentenced to death in the ensuing legal proceedings. However, Ghasem Salehi was able to avoid execution by agreeing to pay 5 billion tomans in blood money to the family of the deceased.

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. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Ali Aghel Begins Four-Year Sentence on Political Charges

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News, Prisoners
Ali Aghel, Ali-Asghar Aghel Moghaddam, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, علی عاقل

Ali-Asghar Aghel Moghaddam, a resident of Mashhad, was transferred to Vakilabad Prison on May 9, 2024, to commence a four-year prison term.

Aghel was initially arrested on October 23, 2023, following his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Mashhad. He was detained at Vakilabad Prison but was released on bail six days later, pending further legal proceedings.

The Revolutionary Courts subsequently convicted Aghel for “membership in anti-regime groups,” resulting in a four-year sentence, and for “propaganda against the regime,” which carried a one-year sentence. The combined verdict was upheld on appeal.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that the harshest sentence is enforced in cases involving multiple charges, Aghel is required to serve a four-year term.

Union Activist Hassan Saeedi Sentenced to Over Four Years

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hassan Saeedi

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company has reported that one of its members, Hassan Saeedi, has been sentenced to four years and one month in prison following a retrial.

Saeedi, who is currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, initially received a six-year sentence. However, his request for a retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court of Iran, and the case was reassigned to another court branch for review. This new review resulted in a reduced sentence of four years and one month.

On May 18, 2022, security forces arrested Saeedi at his home. They also searched his residence and confiscated several of his belongings. He was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison, a travel ban, a ban on joining political parties, restricted use of social media, and a prohibition from residing in Tehran Province and neighboring provinces for two years. This original verdict was upheld on appeal.

Four Detained in Urmia for Organizing Nowruz Celebration

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Heyman Alizadeh, Othman Abbasi, Rahman Khosrawi, Shahin Dej, Shahram Soltani

On May 9, security forces in Urmia detained four individuals for reportedly organizing a Nowruz celebration, subsequently transferring them to an undisclosed location. Kolbar News identified the detainees as Othman Abbasi, Rahman Khosrawi, Heyman Alizadeh, and Shahram Soltani, all residents of Shahin Dej.

The reason cited for their arrest was the organization of a Nowruz celebration. The security agents reportedly did not present any arrest warrants at the time of the detention.
The current whereabouts of the detainees and any specific charges against them have yet to be disclosed.

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Two Singers Detained in Shiraz by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Danial Moghaddam, Shiraz, Vafa Ahmadpour, Vafadar, دنیال مقدم, وفا احمدپور, وفادار

On May 9, 2024, singers Vafa Ahmadpour, also known as Vafadar, and Danial Moghaddam were arrested by security forces in Shiraz and taken to an undisclosed location.

The news of their arrest was announced via Ahmadpour’s social media.

The singers had recently released a music video titled “Amadeh Bash” (Be Ready!). The reasons for their arrests, their current whereabouts, and the specific charges against them have not been disclosed.

Previously, on February 4, 2024, Ahmadpour was arrested at his home and detained for over 15 days before being released on bail from Evin Prison. He was later sentenced to one year for “spreading propaganda against the regime” by the Revolutionary Court. Moghaddam has also experienced previous arrests and legal challenges related to his protest songs.

Four Inmates Executed at Urmia Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Abdollah Hassanzadeh, Hassan Arabi, Hassan Choopani, Taher Abdolali

On May 9, 2024, four inmates were executed at Urmia Prison, as reported by HRANA.

The executed individuals were identified as Hassan Choopani from Piranshahr, Taher Abdolali, Hassan Arabi, a father of two, and Abdollah Hassanzadeh.

These inmates had been convicted on charges of drug offenses. Two days prior to their execution, they were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their sentences being carried out.

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.

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.

 

Execution in Tabriz for Drug-Related Convictions

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Executions, News
Hassan Moharrer, Tabriz, حسن محرر

On May 7, 2024, an individual identified as Hassan Moharrer was executed in Tabriz Prison for drug-related offenses.

Moharrer had previously been convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges related to narcotics.

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

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.

Film Director Mohammad Rasoulof’s Conviction Confirmed by Appellate Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Paknia, Mohammad Rasoulof, بابک پاکنیا, محمد رسول اف

The Appellate Court of Tehran has confirmed the initial verdict against the acclaimed film director Mohammad Rasoulof.

Rasoulof’s lawyer, Babak Paknia, announced that Rasoulof faces a sentence of eight years in prison, in addition to flogging, a monetary fine, and the confiscation of his property. The enforcement of five years of this sentence has been authorized by the executive branch of the Department of Justice.

Paknia stated that Rasoulof was found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The charges were based on “petitioning through open statements and his work in producing and directing documentaries.”

It should also be noted that this is not Rasoulof’s first encounter with the legal system; he has been arrested and convicted previously.

Nowruz Rokhdad Receives Imprisonment on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Nowruz Rokhdad, Yasuj, نوروز رخداد

Nowruz Rokhdad, from Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, has been sentenced to a total of 37 months and 18 days in prison, with 30 months and two days suspended for two years.

The sentencing, delivered by Judge Taheri-Nasab of the Revolutionary Court in Yasuj, includes 17 months and 16 days for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and 15 months and one day each for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Additionally, two other charges against Rokhdad, “disseminating false information to disturb public opinion” and “publishing vulgar pictures on the Internet,” will be handled by the Criminal Court.

Rokhdad, approximately 34 years old, was initially arrested on December 18, 2023, during a courthouse appearance. He spent ten days in Deshdasht prison before being released on bond.