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Two Prisoners Executed in Zanjan Prison

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Executions, News
Mehran Soltani, Mohammadreza Hajikhani, zanjan, Zanjan Prison

At dawn yesterday, October 23, the death sentences of two prisoners, previously convicted of murder in separate cases, were carried out in Zanjan Prison.

Saman Yasin Granted Medical Leave After 26 Months in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Ramin Safarnia, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin

Saman Seydi (Yasin), a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, was granted medical leave from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj today after posting bail.

His lawyer, Ramin Safarnia, announced: “Today, my client, Saman Yasin (Seydi), after enduring around 26 months in prison, was released on medical leave following the recommendation of a medical commission and with the judiciary’s approval, after posting a bail of 4 billion tomans.”

Saman Yasin (Seydi), a rap singer, was arrested by security forces in Tehran during the 2022 nationwide protests on October 2, 2022. He was later tried in the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion to commit crimes, and acting against national security,” and was sentenced to death. However, in December 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, and the case was referred for retrial.

In May 2023, another of Yasin’s lawyers, Hossein Sartipi, reported that his client had been sentenced to five years of exile in one of the cities in Kerman Province.

In August, HRANA highlighted Mr. Seydi’s denial of adequate medical treatment while in prison. On August 2, 2023, Yasin, along with six other political prisoners, was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Ward 8 of Evin Prison. On September 3, 2023, he and 12 other prisoners were abruptly moved to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj without prior notice.

Prisoner Executed in Gorgan Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Armin Aghcheli, Gorgan Prison

At dawn October 23 the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges was carried out in Gorgan Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as “Armin Aghcheli.” Based on reports received by HRANA, Mr. Aghcheli was arrested in 2019 on drug-related charges and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRANA’s latest annual report, between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed in Iran, marking a 23.06% increase compared to the same period last year. Four of these executions were carried out publicly, with many of the accused reportedly being denied fair trials.

Two Baha’i Women in Babol Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison and Social Restrictions

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News, Religious Minorities
Babol, HRANA, Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, Niusha Badiei Sabet, Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan, Tehran

Suzan Eid Mohammadzadegan and Niusha Badiei Sabet, two Baha’i citizens, have been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison, along with additional social restrictions, by Branch 1 of the Babol Revolutionary Court.

In the court’s ruling, delivered to the defendants today, each was sentenced to five years in prison, with time served during pre-trial detention considered. Additionally, both women have been banned from all educational and training activities for 18 months. They were convicted of “engaging in educational or promotional activities contrary to the sacred Sharia of Islam.”

Eid Mohammadzadegan and Badiei Sabet were arrested on August 15, 2023, at Mohammadzadegan’s residence in Babol by security forces, who did not present a judicial warrant. The two were eventually released on bail on September 11, 2023, from Babol Prison.

Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, head of the judiciary in Mazandaran Province, had previously justified the closure of two schools and ten educational and sports centers in Babol by claiming these institutions were promoting the Baha’i faith. He also mentioned the arrest of two individuals, describing them as “prominent Baha’i instructors in Iran.”

However, a reliable source refuted these claims, telling HRANA, “Only four kindergartens were involved, at most. No religious promotion occurred in these centers; the focus was solely on children’s education, with parents present at all times.”

Niusha Badiei Sabet, 39, a psychologist, translator, and resident of Tehran, has faced previous arrests and judicial encounters due to her faith.

Five Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Arman Nasirzadeh, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mohammad Koushki, Salam Baba-Khan Jafari

At dawn on October 23, five prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, following convictions for drug-related offenses, murder, and rape.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of two prisoners sentenced to death for drug-related charges: Salam Baba-Khan Jafari and Mohammad Koushki. The identities of two Afghan nationals, executed for murder and rape, are still under investigation.

Earlier this week, HRANA had reported that these four prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions. However, as of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not made formal announcements regarding the executions.

In a separate case, the Rokna news agency reported the execution of 33-year-old Arman Nasirzadeh, also in Ghezel Hesar Prison. According to Rokna, a long-standing dispute between Nasirzadeh and the victim, Akbar R., escalated, leading to the murder. Despite filing a complaint against Akbar R., Nasirzadeh eventually killed him. After the incident, Nasirzadeh surrendered to the police and was sentenced to death for premeditated murder.

Throughout the legal process, many individuals and authorities attempted to secure forgiveness from the victim’s family, even in the final moments before the execution. However, after Nasirzadeh spent 10 years in prison, the family of Akbar R. chose not to pardon him, resulting in the execution being carried out as planned.

According to HRANA’s latest annual report, between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed in Iran, marking a 23.06% increase compared to the same period last year. Four of these executions were carried out publicly, with many of the accused reportedly being denied fair trials.

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Political Detainee Jila Zehtab Moghaddam Held in Evin Prison with Poor Health and Unclear Legal Status

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Zehtab Moghaddam

Jila (Zhila) Zehtab Moghaddam, a political detainee in poor health, remains in legal limbo in Evin Prison. After completing her interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward 14 days ago.

A source close to her family told HRANA that Zehtab Moghaddam was arrested by security forces and transferred to Evin on October 9, 2024. Before her arrest, she had undergone breast cancer surgery, and both breasts were removed. She is currently being held in prison under poor physical conditions, with no clarity regarding her case.

At around 43 years old, Zehtab Moghaddam was charged with “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “assembly and collusion against national security” by the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. She was recently acquitted of the latter two charges, though her case has not yet been referred to court. The charges against her primarily relate to posts on her personal Twitter (X) account.

Four Prisoners Executed in Karaj for Alleged Role in Toxic Alcohol Distribution

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Karaj Central Prison

On October 23, four prisoners were executed in Karaj Central Prison after being convicted of “the large-scale production and distribution of toxic alcoholic beverages” and charged with “corruption on earth.” The judiciary’s news agency, Mizan, reported the execution but did not disclose the identities of the prisoners.

The executions were tied to a case from June 16, 2023, involving the widespread distribution of toxic alcoholic beverages in Karaj. The four prisoners had previously been sentenced to death for “corruption on earth through crimes against the physical integrity of individuals.” Their original death sentences were overturned by the Supreme Court in late June 2024, but after further review, they were again sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court.

The judiciary’s spokesperson had earlier claimed that the actions of these individuals resulted in the deaths of 17 people and caused blindness in 191 others.

In addition to the four executions, seven other defendants in this case were sentenced to prison terms.

Many experts believe that the ban on the import, sale, and consumption of alcohol in Iran has contributed to the rise of counterfeit alcohol production, leading to numerous fatalities and health complications.

According to HRANA’s latest annual report, between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed in Iran, marking a 23.06% increase compared to the same period last year. Four of these executions were carried out publicly, with many of the accused reportedly being denied fair trials.

Yashar Nikroo Sentenced to One Year in Prison Following Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Gourabi, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Rasht, Rasht Revolutionary Court, Yashar Nikroo

After the acceptance of his appeal and a retrial, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Yashar Nikroo has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

Nikroo’s initial trial was held in absentia earlier this year, resulting in a one-year prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” On September 10, a new hearing was held in the same court to reconsider the charges. Despite the appeal, the court reaffirmed the one-year prison sentence during a subsequent session on October 9.

Yashar Nikroo, also known as Ahmad Gourabi, is a well-known Azerbaijani-Turk activist residing in Rasht. He had previously faced similar charges in the Rasht Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

10 Prisoners Executed in Different Prisons Across Iran

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Executions, News
Isfahan, Jiroft, Malayer, Qom

The death sentences of 10 prisoners were carried out in the prisons of Qom, Jiroft, Isfahan, and Malayer.

Two Prisoners Executed in Jiroft: According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, two prisoners were executed early on Monday, October 21, 2024, in Jiroft Prison. They have been identified as Mohammad Farhadzadeh and Hamid Chatr Simabeh (Sabaki), both around 40 years old. Farhadzadeh had been imprisoned for seven years on murder charges, while Chatr Simabeh had been detained for the same period on charges of “waging war against God” for his involvement in a confrontation and the murder of a police officer.

Five Executions in Qom Over 40 Days: In the past 40 days, five prisoners convicted of murder were executed in Qom Prison. One of these, Milad Badinlou, was executed on September 7, 2024. Two others, executed on October 10, 2024, were identified as Shahin Dehghani and Abdulqadir (last name unknown), an Afghan national. Additionally, on October 16, 2024, Hassan Khodabandelou and another Afghan national were also executed.

Two Prisoners Executed in Isfahan: On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Mohammad Ashoori, 32 years old, was executed in Isfahan Prison after spending six years in detention on murder charges. Another execution took place on Thursday, October 17, in the same prison, where Mohammad Reza Mahjour was also put to death for murder.

Prisoner Executed in Malayer: On Sunday, October 20, 2024, Mohammad Saberi was executed in Malayer Prison. He had been incarcerated for two years on drug-related charges and was sentenced to death.

As of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not publicly confirmed the executions.

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.

Arsham Rezaei Sentenced to Flogging and a Fine on Appeal

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News, Prisoners
Arsham Rezaei, Arsham Rezaie, Evin Prison, Fardis, flogging, Iman Afshari, Jamal al-Din Yassini, Karaj

Branch 41 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of 50 lashes and a monetary fine against Arsham Rezaei, a political prisoner in Evin Prison. The charges stem from a case initiated during his imprisonment.

Rezaei’s mother announced that Judge Seyed Jamal al-Din Yassini of Branch 41 confirmed her son’s conviction, which includes both the flogging and a fine of 16 million tomans. Another prisoner had accused Rezaei of insulting him and issuing death threats, which led to this case during his time in prison.

IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Arsham (Mahmoud) Rezaei at his home in Fardis, Karaj, on October 17, 2023, before transferring him to Evin Prison. His trial took place on December 25, 2023, where Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, alongside a 15-million-toman fine and other penalties.

Rezaei has a history of imprisonment due to his activism.

Flogging is considered a violation of human dignity, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments. However, Iran continues to enforce such sentences despite widespread domestic and international criticism.