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Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal for Couple Facing Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asadollah Fakhimi, Hoori Khanpour, Hoorieh Khanpour, Tehran Court of Appeal

Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal has affirmed a combined eight-year sentence for Asadollah Fakhimi and his wife Hoorieh (Hoori) Khanpour.

On February 7, the couple was officially informed of the verdict, which mandates four years for Fakhimi and two years for Khanpour on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” in addition to one year each for “propaganda against the regime.” This totals eight years of imprisonment for the couple.

The Ministry of Intelligence conducted a raid on their residence on July 11, 2023, seizing belongings during an extensive search. Subsequently, Fakhimi and Khanpour were summoned to Evin Courthouse to face legal proceedings.

After the second inquiry session at Evin Courthouse on November 5, 2023, the couple was released on bail amounting to one billion tomans, approximately 20,000 dollars.

Five Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested by Security Forces

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Ayaz Seyfkhah, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Bagher Hajizadeh, Kamal Nouri, Saeed Minaie, Vadod Asadi

Security forces have apprehended five Azerbaijani-Turk activists in various locations, including Vadod Asadi and Saeed Minaie in Rasht, Ayaz Seyfkhah and Bagher Hajizadeh in Tabriz, and Kamal Nouri in Eslamshahr. These individuals have been transferred to undisclosed facilities.

Sources close to their families have informed HRANA that the agents employed violence during the arrest of these individuals.

Notably, Asadi and Minaie have a history of previous judicial confrontations related to their activism.

As of now, the reasons for their arrest, their current whereabouts, and the charges filed against them remain unknown.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for advocating ethnic rights.

Mohsen Hooshmand Receives One-Year Prison Term on Alleged Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mohsen Hooshmand, Rasht, Rasht Revolutionary Court

The Rasht Revolutionary Court has handed down a one-year sentence to Mohsen Hooshmand.

According to the verdict, Hooshmand has been convicted of “acting against national security.” During the court session held on November 14, 2023, Hooshmand’s social media and internet posts were cited as evidence supporting the charge.

Sources close to his family revealed to HRANA that the case has now been forwarded to the Executive Unit.

Having been arrested on October 25, 2023, Hooshmand spent 16 days in detention before being released on bail.

This isn’t Hooshmand’s first encounter with legal troubles, as the 29-year-old activist had previously faced arrest and conviction for his involvement in activism.

Amir-Nasr Azadani’s Legal Case: 16-Year Imprisonment Upheld on Appeal

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News, Prisoners
Amir Nasr Azadani, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan Revolutionary Court, Khaneh e Isfahan, امیر نصر آزادانی

Amir-Nasr Azadani, a former soccer player embroiled in the “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House)” legal case, is currently serving his sentence in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. The Supreme Court recently confirmed his sixteen-year sentence, and the verdict has been forwarded to the executive unit of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

According to a source close to Azadani’s family, the Supreme Court, on January 24, 2024, upheld the 16-year prison term following an appeal for “assisting in enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Subsequently, the executive unit of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court executed the verdict.

In January 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan initially sentenced Azadani to five years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” another five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and sixteen years for “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Upon appeal to the Supreme Court, he was acquitted of the first two charges, leaving the prison term for the third charge intact.

During nationwide protests on November 17, 2022, security forces arrested Azadani in connection to the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case. Notably, three co-defendants in the same case, Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), Majid Kazemi (30), and Saeed Yaghoubi (37), were executed on May 19, 2023, on charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh).

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Detained in Urmia

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Urmia

On February 6, 2024, security forces arrested Salar Taher Afshar in Urmia and subsequently transferred him to an undisclosed facility. The news of Afshar’s apprehension was disclosed by his sister.

At present, the specific reasons behind his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges levied against him remain undisclosed.

This recent arrest comes after Taher Afshar was previously detained on December 19, 2023. A court hearing addressing the charge of “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime” was conducted by the Tabriz Revolutionary Court on January 27, 2024.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for their advocacy of ethnic rights.

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Journalist Mehdi Afshar Nik Taken into Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News
Etemand Online, Mehdi Afshar Nik, Shargh Newspaper

Journalist Mehdi Afshar Nik has been arrested by security forces and subsequently moved to an undisclosed facility, according to a report by Etemad Online.

The arrest reportedly took place on January 31, with the reasons for Afshar Nik’s detention, the whereabouts of his confinement, and the charges against him currently remaining unknown.

Afshar Nik, known for his work with Etemad and Shargh newspaper, has a history of legal challenges in his career as a journalist.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Parvin Detained in Ardabil

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Ardabil, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Morteza Parvin

On February 6, 2024, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Morteza Parvin was apprehended by security forces in Ardabil. He was taken to an undisclosed location following his arrest.

Parvin was detained at his father’s residence, where the agents conducted a search, resulting in the confiscation of some of his personal belongings.

As of now, the reasons behind Parvin’s arrest, his current location, and the charges filed against him remain unknown.

This incident marks not the first time Parvin has been subject to arrest due to his involvement as an Azerbaijani-Turk activist.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 324 cases of citizens being arrested by security forces for advocating ethnic rights.

 

Isa Ebrahimzadeh Detained in Oshnavieh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, Isa Ebrahimzadeh, Oshnavieh

In a concerning development, Isa Ebrahimzadeh was arrested by security forces in Oshnavieh on January 4 and taken to an undisclosed location.

His brother, Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, a worker’s rights advocate, disclosed the arrest, citing the Ministry of Intelligence’s involvement at Isa’s residence.

As of now, the exact location where he is being held and the charges against him remain unknown.

Ebrahimzadeh has encountered previous arrests and legal confrontations. On November 21, 2022, he was detained by security forces in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022. Subsequently, on January 12, 2023, he secured his release on bail of 500 million tomans (approximately 10,000 dollars) from Oshnavieh Prison.

Journalist Nasrin Hassani Begins Serving Seven-Month Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, Mahsa Amini Protests, Nasrin Hassani, Siahat-e Shargh

Journalist Nasrin Hassani commenced her seven-month prison term on February 4, as she was incarcerated in Bojnurd Prison.

A source close to Hassani’s family confirmed the news, stating that on February 4, she was placed in Bojnurd Prison to serve her sentence following her appearance in the Judgment Enforcement unit. The Criminal Court of Bojnurd had sentenced her on November 11, 2023, for “disseminating false information,” accompanied by a fine for alleged “non-compliance with Hijab in public.”

In a parallel development within this legal case, the Revolutionary Court of the city had previously sentenced her to one year, pending appeal.

Nasrin Hassani, the managing editor of the weekly newspaper Siahat-e Shargh, is a single mother to a 13-year-old son.

It’s worth noting that Hassani faced legal repercussions during the Mahsa Amini Protests in September 2022, having been arrested by security forces. She was subsequently released after a period of detention.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Sentenced to 61 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mohammad Nourizad, Shahid Kechooie judicial complex, Tehran

Renowned civil rights advocate Mohammad Nourizad has been sentenced to 61 months in prison as a result of a legal case initiated while he was already incarcerated.

Presently serving his sentence at Evin Prison, Nourizad revealed the additional imprisonment through a voice message from behind bars. The recent court session addressing the new charges against Nourizad took place at the Shahid Kechooie judicial complex in Tehran. Unfortunately, he was unable to defend himself as he was not present during the proceedings.

Details regarding the charges leveled against Nourizad remain undisclosed at this time.

On August 9, 2023, Nourizad faced punitive measures and was relocated to solitary confinement due to his protest against the restriction of prisoners’ telephone cards, impeding their ability to make phone calls.

In a separate legal development from July 2023, Nourizad received an additional two-year prison sentence from the Tehran Revolutionary Court. This sentence stemmed from yet another legal case initiated while he was already in prison.

Nourizad’s legal ordeal began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for participating in the drafting of an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In the initial case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. Although the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support for Baha’i citizens in Eyvanki, Semnan Province.

Concerning the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, along with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order.” He also received an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was upheld on appeal as well.

Nourizad was released from Evin Prison on November 17, 2021, based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Nourizad has a history of arrests and convictions linked to his peaceful activism. He is a prominent filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.