Author: . .

Mohammad Nourizad Receives Five Years for New Case While Imprisoned

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Kamal Jafari Yazdi, Mashhad, Mohammad Nourizad, محمد نوریزاد

Mohammad Nourizad, a civil activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison due to a new case recently opened against him during his incarceration.

A page attributed to this civil activist reported that on Sunday, July 21, 2024, a hearing on Mr. Nourizad’s charges was held via video conference in his absence. Consequently, without having the opportunity to defend himself against the charges, he was sentenced to an additional five years in prison. The release of an audio file from prison has been cited as one of the charges against him.

In February of 2024, Nourizad was sentenced to an additional 61 months in prison due to another case opened against him during his imprisonment.

In July 2023, in yet another case, Nourizad was sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

On August 11, 2019, Mohammad Nourizad was arrested by security forces in connection with a letter signed by 14 civil activists calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei and for his presence in front of the building where Kamal Jafari Yazdi’s appeal hearing was held. He was eventually transferred from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to Evin Prison in 2020.

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.

Yousef Ziayi Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, Urmia, Yousef Ziayi, یوسف ضیایی

On Wednesday, July 31, Yousef Ziayi, a resident of Urmia, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city.

HRANA has identified him as Yousef Ziayi, 44 years old, a father of two, and a resident of Urmia.

A source close to Mr. Ziayi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Ziayi was arrested by agents of Urmia’s Ministry of Intelligence yesterday afternoon.”

The reasons for the arrest and the charges against this citizen are not yet known.

Two Prisoners Executed in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad for Drug Offenses

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Hamed Parseh, Khorramabad, Parsilon Prison

On Thursday, August 1, the execution of two prisoners, previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges, was carried out in Parsilon Prison, Khorramabad.

HRANA has identified one of these prisoners as Hamed Parseh. These prisoners had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

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.

Shakila Monfared Indicted for New Legal Case While Imprisoned

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, IRGC Intelligence, Shakila Monfared, Tehran

An indictment has been issued for Shakila Monfared, a political prisoner, regarding a new case opened against her during her imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Monfared faces a new case in prison filed by Ms. Shaghaghi, the Deputy Prosecutor. On Wednesday, July 24, the indictment for this political prisoner was issued by Tehran’s District 8 Prosecutor’s Office with charges of “destruction of public property and disrupting order.”

On June 26 of this year, while on medical leave, Shakila Monfared was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after appearing at Tehran’s District 8 Prosecutor’s Office to extend her leave, despite her treatment being incomplete and her being subjected to physical assault.

Ms. Monfared was initially arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 31, 2020, while leaving her home. After completing her interrogation at one of the IRGC’s detention centers, she was transferred to Evin Prison. Finally, on September 14, she was released on bail.

The court session for the joint case against Shakila Monfared and two others was held on January 20, 2021, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. After the session, Monfared was re-arrested by IRGC intelligence agents and taken back to prison.

Ultimately, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to six years of imprisonment and four months of compulsory labor in Ministry of Agriculture Jihad for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and blasphemy.” Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court later reduced her sentence to four years and two months of definitive imprisonment.

In January 2022, Ms. Monfared was tried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for another case opened during her imprisonment. In June 2023, Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court sentenced her to two years and eight months of imprisonment for “membership in anti-regime groups” and a fine for “spreading falsehoods.”

It should be noted that on June 6, 2023, Monfared faced new charges for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” but this case was ultimately dismissed.

Additionally, in April of this year, Shakila Monfared was sentenced to twelve months of imprisonment, two years of exile, and additional punishments by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court for another case opened during her imprisonment.

Shakila Monfared, aged around 31, is a resident of Tehran.

Mowloud Safaei Incarcerated in Evin Prison to Serve Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Mowloud Safaei, Qarchak Prison, Zahra Safaie

On July, Mowloud Safaie was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison to serve her three-year sentence on political charges.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Safaie was arrested at her residence in Tehran by security forces today, Tuesday, July 31st, and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison to serve her three-year sentence.”

Mowloud Safaie was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran on June 16, 2021, and was released from Qarchak Prison on bail after a period of detention.
She was subsequently sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to four years in prison on charges including “propaganda activities against the regime.” With the application of Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, which is three years in prison, is enforceable for her.

In 2012, Ms. Safaie was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, to five years in prison and five years of compulsory residence in Semnan.

Safaie, 64, is the sister of Zahra Safaie, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison. Mowloud Safaie has a history of previous arrests and convictions due to her peaceful activities.

Ms. Safaie’s father, known as “Haji Safaei,” was a prominent merchant in Tehran who was executed in 1981 on charges of supporting the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. Her husband, Ebrahim Saeidi, who was a telecommunications employee, was also executed in 1984.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Prisoner Executed in Minab Prison for Drug Offenses

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
HRANA, Minab Prison, Nabi Bakhsh Mola-Zahi

On Tuesday, July 30th, an inmate convicted of drug-related charges was executed in Minab Prison, Hormozgan province, according to Haal Vsh.

The identity of this prisoner has been reported as Nabi Bakhsh Mola-Zahi, approximately 61 years old, father of one child, and a resident of a village in Bampur city, Sistan and Baluchestan province.

According to the report, Mola-Zahi was arrested in 2019 on drug-related charges in Minab and was subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of this city.

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.

Hora Nikbakht Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Hora Nikbakht, حورا نیکبخت

Hora Nikbakht, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on the verdict recently issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Nikbakht in Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27th, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The court session addressing these charges took place on July 10th in the mentioned branch.

Hora Nikbakht, a resident of Tehran, was arrested on June 12th after appearing at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Previously, this citizen had been summoned to the aforementioned judicial authority to defend against the assigned charges upon receiving a notice.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Two Members of Mohammad Hassanzadeh’s Family Arrested in Bukan

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Solmaz Hassanzadeh

Kurdpa reports that on July 30, Ahmad Hassanzadeh and Solmaz Hassanzadeh, the father and sister of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, were arrested by security forces in Bukan and taken to an unknown location.

The report states that these individuals were arrested by security forces with physical violence at their private residence in Bukan. The officers also confiscated the mobile phones of the father, daughter, and mother.

According to a source cited in the report, “This family was attempting to hold a ceremony to commemorate the birthday of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests. However, the security agencies prevented this and arrested them.”

As of the time of this report, the whereabouts and the charges against these citizens are unknown.

Ahmad Hassanzadeh and his approximately 30-year-old daughter, Solmaz, were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Bukan and interrogated on September 5, 2023.

Additionally, Ms. Hassanzadeh was arrested at a checkpoint between Bukan and Saqqez by security forces on September 27 last year and was released shortly thereafter.

It is worth noting that Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old resident of Bukan, was shot by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and succumbed to his injuries on November 16 of the same year.

Ali Rezaie Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Rezaie, Evin Prison, Reza Shafakhah, علی رضایی

Ali Rezaie, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Reza Shafakhah, Mr. Rezaie’s defense attorney, announced this news and wrote: “My client Ali Rezaie, who was arrested during the 2022 protests while still a teenager, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.”

Ali Rezaie, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces at his residence on December 4, 2022, in connection with the nationwide protests. Following his arrest, he was initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, and eventually transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. After one year, he was released from this prison on bail.

Last November, Reza Shafakhah provided an update on his client’s case: “My client was under 18 years old at the time of his arrest. After his case was referred to the Revolutionary Court, we challenged the jurisdiction of the court and requested that the case be referred to the juvenile court. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court made its decision and recognized Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court as competent to handle the case.”

Previously, the indictment against Mr. Rezaie was issued on charges of “assaulting a police officer” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.”

 

Political Prisoner Reza Salmanzadeh Denied Medical Care in Ghezel Hesar Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Payam Salmanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh, رضا سلمان زاده

Reza Salmanzadeh, a political prisoner in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, despite his poor physical condition, has been deprived of proper medical care.

Payam Salmanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh’s son, released a video stating: “My father suffers from heart disease, hernia, and kidney stones, and these physical problems have worsened since the Evin Prison fire incident and him being beaten. Nonetheless, my father still has not received medical care.”
Reza Salmanzadeh was arrested by security forces at his residence in April-May 2022 and transferred to Evin Prison. He was later sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to three years and eight months in prison. This case was closed in February of 2023 following a “pardon and commutation” directive.

On the evening of October 15, 2022, a fire was seen rising over Evin Prison following a tense situation, and the sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Contrary to officials’ claims of controlling the fire and confrontation, the gunfire continued for hours. Following this incident, a case was filed by the Prisons Organization against several prisoners, including Reza Salmanzadeh.

On June 18, 2024, the trial session for forty defendants accused in the so-called Evin Prison fire case was held in Branch 1148 of Criminal Court Two in Tehran.

Salmanzadeh was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction,” one year in prison for “disrupting prison order,” and one year in prison for “defying and disobeying officials’ orders.”