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Sunni Prisoner Ghasem Abasteh Executed in Qezel Hesar, Karaj

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Executions, News
Anvar Khezri, Ayoub Karimi, Davoud Abdollahi, enmity against God, Farhad Salimi, Ghasem Abasteh, Ghasem Abesteh, Kamran Sheikheh, Khosro Besharat, moharebeh

On November 5, 2023, Ghasem Abasteh, a Sunni prisoner who had spent 13 years and 9 months behind bars, was executed in Qezel Hesar, Karaj.

Abasteh’s ordeal through the legal system began in January-February 2010 when he was initially arrested. After enduring 14 months of uncertainty in Evin and Urmia Prisons, he found himself in Rajai Shahr Prison, located in Karaj. This year, in August, he was transferred to Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison.

Throughout his ordeal, Abasteh faced multiple charges, including the serious accusation of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) due to his alleged sympathies with Salafi Groups, a religious movement within Sunni Islam, which he consistently denied.

In February-March 2016, he and six other Sunni prisoners received a death sentence from Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, this verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court, leading to the case being transferred to Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Judge Salavati, presiding over this court, handed down the death sentence to these six individuals again on June 17 and 18, 2019. This time, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Ghasem Abasteh, along with Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ayoub Karimi, and Davoud Abdollahi.

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.

Fourteen Baha’i Citizens Receive Sentences and Fines in Mazandaran

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News, Religious Minorities
Afnaneh Nematian, Anis Senaei, Basir Samimi, Bita Haghighi, Golin Falah, Hengameh Alipour, HRANA, Mahsa Fathi, Majir Samimi, Mani Ghoi-Nejad, Mazandaran, Nazanin Goli, Negar Darabi, Qaem Shahr, Sam Samimi, Samieh Gholi-Nejad, Sanaz Hekmat Shoar

The Mazandaran Court of Appeal has handed down sentences and fines to 14 Baha’i citizens.

On November 2, verdicts were delivered, with Bita Haghighi and Sanaz Hekmat Shoar sentenced to three years in prison and a 30-million-toman fine (approximately 600 dollars). Mani Ghoi-Nejad, Negar Darabi, Sam Samimi, Mahsa Fathi, Samieh Gholi-Nejad, Majir Samimi, Anis Senaei, Afnaneh Nematian, Basir Samimi, Hengameh Alipour, Golin Falah, and Nazanin Goli were sentenced a fifty-million-toman fine (approximately 1000 dollars) in exchange for the initial sentence of two years and one month.

A source has informed HRANA that the individuals were verbally notified of these verdicts, seemingly in an attempt to prevent them from appealing. Their legal representation has also been denied access to the case documents. Additionally, they have been given ten days to pay the imposed fines.

These citizens had previously received a cumulative sentence of 31 years and were fined by the Qaem Shahr Revolutionary Court. Furthermore, all of their assets were seized.

The individuals were arrested by security forces in Sari and Babolsar, both located in Mazandaran Province, on August 31, 2022. They were subsequently released on bail in the months following their arrest.

At the time of their apprehension, the Ministry of Intelligence released a statement, accusing these citizens of being members of an espionage organization and claiming that two of them had received training from individuals in Israel.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

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.

Four Inmates Executed in Isfahan Prison

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Executions, News
Ebrahim Narooie, Ebrahim Narui, Haal Vsh, Isfahan, Rasht, Tehran

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Isfahan Prison officials carried out the execution of four inmates, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Among the hanged inmates, Ebrahim Narui (Narooie), aged 42 and hailing from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, was identified. Narui had been sentenced to death for drug offenses by the Naeen Revolutionary Court. The other three inmates were residents of Tehran, Rasht, and Isfahan.

As of the time of this report, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided information regarding these executions.
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.

 

Brutal Attack on Abbas Korkori in Prison Leads to Hospitalization

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Korkori, ahvaz, Izeh, Kiran Pirfalak, moharebeh, Mojahed Korkori, Zeinab Molaei-Rad

Abbas (Mojahed) Korkori, currently imprisoned at Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz, has been subjected to a violent assault by prison guards, resulting in his hospitalization. He is currently facing a death sentence.

A source closely connected to Korkori’s family has disclosed to HRANA that Korkori was brutally beaten by prison guards. He has been hospitalized since October 31, and visible bruises and wounds mar his face and body.

The same source has revealed that Korkori is being denied access to make a phone call.

Korkori, a resident of Izeh, has been sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges of  “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and “spreading corruption on earth.” Korkori was also convicted of the destruction of private and public properties, forming and participating in anti-regime groups, and armed rebellion against the regime.

The Revolutionary Court claims that Korkori was found guilty based on evidence obtained by CCTV cameras and Criminal Justice expert reports, which testify that the bullets that led to the death of 10-year-old Kian Pirfalak during protests in Izeh, were shot from the gun discovered with the defendant. Additionally, weapons, bullets, and Molotov cocktails were discovered at the defendant’s hideout, and the Governor of Izeh reported damages caused by the defendant and his associates to public and government properties.

“This verdict is not final and can be appealed to the Supreme Court,” the report asserts.

However, Pirfalak’s parents have repeatedly denied these accusations and claimed that their son was killed in a shooting by regime forces. Zeinab Molaei-Rad, Kian’s mother, said during his funeral, “On the way back home, the regime agents opened fire on our car.”

“As Kian’s mother, I will refute any claims that any regular citizen can be the murderer of my son,” his mother said in reaction to the accusations against Abbas Korkori and several others.

During the protest in Izeh, on November 16, 2022, at least seven individuals, including Kiran Pirfalak, were killed in the shooting by regime forces.

 

Execution of Maryam Forough-Manesh in Yasuj Prison

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Executions, News
Maryam Forough-Manesh, Yasuj Prison

On November 1, Maryam Forough-Manesh, an inmate, met her unfortunate end through execution in Yasuj Prison. She had previously been convicted of murder.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided any reports or coverage on these executions.

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.

 

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Political Activist Babak Moradifar Arrested at Evin Courthouse in Tehran

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News
Babak Moradi-Far, Babak Moradifar, Evin Courthouse, Evin Prison

On November 1, political activist Babak Moradifar (Moradi-Far) faced arrest while appearing at Evin Courthouse.

Moradifar has been charged with multiple offenses, including “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.” His arrest occurred after being summoned to Evin Courthouse and detained following a court session.

Notably, Moradifar had previously been arrested by security forces on October 8, 2022, during nationwide protests. He was subsequently released on bail from Evin Prison on November 28. Later, the Tehran Revolutionary Court imposed a three-year sentence on this political and civil activist for “assembly and collusion against national security,” along with an additional one year and three months for “propaganda against the regime.” However, he was eventually granted a pardon, resulting in the closure of his case.

Manoochehr Bakhtiari Faces an Additional Six Months in Prison Amidst His Incarceration

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News
Aban protests, Manoochehr Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari, Qazvin, Sara Abbasi, Tehran

Manoochehr Bakhtiari, a political prisoner currently confined in Qazvin Prison, has been handed a six-month sentence by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court.

In a verdict issued on November 1, 2023, Bakhtiari was convicted and sentenced to an additional six months in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” This adds to his ongoing imprisonment.

At present, Bakhtiari is serving a three-year, six-month sentence in Qazvin Prison. His wife, Sara Abbasi, has expressed concerns about his health, citing multiple diseases, and claims he is being denied access to medical treatment and furlough.

Bakhtiari’s legal woes began on April 29, 2021, when he was forcefully arrested by security forces at his residence in Tehran. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison, coupled with a two-year, six-month exile and a two-year travel ban. Bakhtiari commenced serving this sentence in July 2021.

In a tragic and related turn of events, Bakhtiari’s son, Pouya, at the age of 27, was fatally shot by regime forces during the 2019 protests, also known as the Aban Protests, in Karaj. According to his sister and mother, Pouya succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after being shot in the head during the second day of the protest’s eruption.

Five Inmates Executed at Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Abbas Anaraki, Ghezel Hesar, hsan Haddad, Qezel Hesar, Sadegh Tajik, Yadollah Foruoughi

In a grim turn of events, on November 1, five inmates were executed in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj.

According to HRANA, the individuals who faced this unfortunate fate were identified as Ehsan Haddad, Abbas Anaraki, Sadegh Tajik (an Afghan national), Yadollah Foruoughi, and Behrooz (last name unknown). Foruoughi had been convicted of drug-related offenses, while Haddad, Tajik, and Anaraki were found guilty of murder. Behrooz was convicted of rape and murder.

Just the day before, HRANA had reported the transfer of eight inmates to solitary confinement as they awaited their impending execution.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

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.

 

Sadegh Ghasemi Zilaie Arrested in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, Sadegh Ghasemi Zilaie

On October 28, 2023, Sadegh Ghasemi Zilaie, a resident of Izeh, was detained in Ahvaz by security forces and subsequently taken to the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility.

A source close to his family disclosed that Ghasemi Zilaie was granted only one phone call to inform his family about his detention. The motives behind his arrest and the specific charges against him remain undisclosed at this time.
Prior to his arrest, Ghasemi Zilaie was actively involved in rap music.

Multiple Arrests Made at Armita Geravand’s Funeral

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Sookhtehza, Armita Geravand, Asghar Seyed-Faraji, Hamid Abbaspour, Hashem Mehr-Alian, Iman Miri, Majid Hooshang Kian Pour, Masoud Zeynal-Zadeh, Mehran Haji Hashemi, Mohammad Fazlollahi, Mohammad Geravand, Mohammad-Reza Fakhim-Avar, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Niloofar Mirzaie, Ramtin Bandeh, Siamak Masih Pour, Yousef Hooshyar

During the funeral of Armita Geravand, the 17-year-old girl who fell into a coma and subsequently passed away following an encounter with a hijab enforcement officer, security forces arrested at least 16 individuals. The funeral was held at a cemetery in Tehran.

HRANA has identified sixteen detainees as follows:

1. Hamid Abbaspour
2. Hashem Mehr-Alian
3. Majid Hooshang Kian Pour
4. Mohammad-Reza Fakhim-Avar
5. Mehran Haji Hashemi
6. Asghar Seyed-Faraji
7. Ali Sookhtehza
8. Ramtin Bandeh
9. Iman Miri
10. Siamak Masih Pour
11. Yousef Hooshyar
12. Mohammad Fazlollahi
13. Masoud Zeynal-Zadeh
14. Mohammad Geravand (a teacher and relative of Armita Geravand)
15. Nasrin Sotoudeh
16. Niloofar Mirzaie

Nasrin Sotoudeh, the lawyer among them, has been transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. The first fourteen individuals in the list are currently being held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison. Iran’s Students’ Union also reported the arrest of Niloofar Mirzaie, a student at Alzahra University, during the funeral.

Notably, Sotoudeh, Masih Pour, Mirzaie, and Zeynal-Zadeh had previously faced arrests and legal challenges due to their activism.

On October 1, 2023, Armita Garavand, a 17-year-old student, sustained a head injury while on her way to school at a metro station in Tehran. She was hospitalized and tragically passed away after 28 days in the hospital. Iranian authorities claim that she suffered a head injury due to a “pressure drop” and falling to the ground. However, some media outlets and human rights groups consider her a victim of harassment and an altercation with a hijab enforcement officer.