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Execution of Woman for Drug Offenses in Kerman Prison

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Executions, News
Kerman, Shiraz, Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, زرخاتون مزارزهی

On November 15, 2023, a female inmate convicted of drug-related crimes was executed at Kerman Prison.

The executed inmate is identified as Zarkhatoon Mazar-Zahi, approximately 46 years old, from Saravan, married, and a mother of one child. Mazar-Zahi was apprehended six years ago at a police checkpoint in Kerman Province on suspicion of drug smuggling while en route to Shiraz.
On March 15, 2022, the Kerman Revolutionary Court handed down a death sentence, a verdict subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court. As of the current writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Eight Months in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Markazi Province, Mobtakeran Machinery Company, حمیدرضا نجفی

The Court of Appeal of Markazi Province has sentenced Hamidreza (Hamid-Reza) Najafi, a resident of Arak, to eight months in prison.

Najafi was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime” but was acquitted of the charge of “inciting people to commit acts of violence.”
Initially, the Arak Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to three years and six months for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” In addition, the Criminal Court imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”
Najafi, a 41-year-old innovative entrepreneur and CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company, was detained in September of this year. He was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Two Individuals Detained in Zahedan

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News, Other
Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh, Zahedan

On Monday, November 13, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh and Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh were taken into custody by security forces in Zahedan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Haal Vsh.

Mesbah, 20 years old, and Abdolmatin, 21 years old, were reportedly apprehended on the street in Zahedan. The grounds for their detention, their current location, and the specific allegations against them remain unknown as of now.

Baha’i Citizen Masoud Mahmoudi Detained in Shirvan

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News, Religious Minorities
Bojnurd, Masoud Mahmoudi, Shirvan, مسعود محمودی

Yesterday, on November 13, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Masoud Mahmoudi in Shirvan, North Khorasan province. He has been transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to Mahmoudi’s family, six intelligence agents from Bojnurd searched his residence in Shirvan before apprehending him, confiscating some of his belongings in the process.

The source also revealed that Mahmoudi suffers from a skin disease that requires medication and medical treatment, heightening concerns about his well-being among family members. The reasons for Mahmoudi’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unknown. The incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by Baha’i citizens in the region.

Zahra Saeedianjoo Detained in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Milad Saeedianjoo, Sepidar Prison, Tehran, Zahra Saeedianjoo

Zahra Saeedianjoo was arrested in Izeh by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a source close to her family. The arrest occurred on Monday evening, coinciding with the approaching first anniversary of her brother Milad Saeedianjoo’s death, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

The specific allegations against Zahra Saeedianjoo remain unknown at this time. It’s worth noting that she had been previously arrested in Tehran on July 9, and subsequently released on bail from Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz after a month in detention.

Milad Saeedianjoo, aged 26, tragically lost his life on November 16, 2022, when he was fatally shot by regime forces during the protests in Izeh. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a source of concern and scrutiny.

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Confirmation of Death Sentence for Protester Milad Zohrehvand

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Executions, News
Ali Nazaei, Malayer, Milad Zohrehvand, میلاد زهره وند

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has reported the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the death sentence for Milad Zohrehvand, an individual arrested in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests.

Zohrehvand, approximately 20 years old, has been convicted of the killing of Ali Nazari, an IRGC intelligence officer in Malayer. In June of this year, Zohrehvand’s case was forwarded to the Supreme Court for confirmation.

In October-November 2022, IRGC officials released a statement stating that Nazari was killed during a chase. The statement identified nine suspects in Ali Nazari’s murder, with five already in custody and four others on the brink of being identified and apprehended.

Tehran Resident Shaghayegh Moradi Detained by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukhara, Shaghayegh Moradi, Tehran, شقایق مرادی

Shaghayegh Moradi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Sunday, November 12, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed facility.

A source with ties to her family shared the news of Moradi’s arrest, which reportedly took place at her residence in Tehran. The reasons behind her arrest and the specific allegations against her are currently undisclosed.

Moradi is known for her work with the art-cultural magazine Bukhara in Tehran.

Three Sunni Prisoners Executed in Zahedan

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Executions, News
Citizen executions, Edris Bilrani, Mohammad Brahui Anjomani, Mohammad-Karim Barakzai, Zahedan

The chief of Justice of Sistan and Baluchestan Province announced on November 13 the execution of three Sunni prisoners in Zahedan.

The individuals, Mohammad-Karim Barakzai Akson (28), Mohammad Brahui Anjomani (28), and Edris Bilrani (31), were convicted of “spreading corruption on earth” and engaging in what the Zahedan Revolutionary Court labeled as “terrorist acts.”

The chief justice disclosed that the Supreme Court had upheld their death sentences after dismissing their appeals twice on grounds of “ineligibility.”

The trio had been detained by security forces in August-September 2020 on charges of being involved with anti-regime groups and were held in Zahedan Prison. After spending 18 months in detention, they were sentenced to 15 years for “membership in a rebellious group” and received the death penalty for “spreading corruption on earth through involvement in terrorist acts.”

According to the chief justice, the verdict implicated the individuals in various actions, including “destruction of public property, smuggling bomb-making equipment, and attempting to explode a police patrol vehicle, resulting in injuries to several police officers.”

Mahnaz Tarah Arrested in Tehran

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News, Other
Evin Courthouse, Farzin Rezaie Roshan, Mahnaz Tarah, مهناز طراح

Security forces in Tehran detained Mahnaz Tarah on November 13, transferring her to Evin Courthouse. Reports indicate Tarah was violently apprehended in the streets, and her companion, Farzin Rezaie Roshan, was reportedly assaulted during the arrest.

The motive behind Tarah’s arrest remains unclear. Notably, the residence of Rezaie Roshan, a former political prisoner, was subjected to a search by agents in September.

Tarah, who has previously encountered security and judicial challenges, was granted amnesty in February of this year, leading to her release from prison under a “general pardon and commutation” directive.

Baha’i Citizen Zabihi Moghadam Recevies Eight Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i resident, Mashhad, Sirus Zabihi Moghadam

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has handed down an eight-year prison sentence to Sirus Zabihi Moghadam, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad.

Zabihi Moghadam was convicted of seven years for “membership in anti-regime groups” and an additional year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Should the verdict be upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code mandates the enforcement of the harshest punishment in cases involving multiple charges, resulting in a seven-year prison term for Moghadam.

Arrested in September 2022, Zabihi Moghadam was released on bail after two months.

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.