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Sarveh Pour-Mohammadi Receives a Ten-Year Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Sanandaj, Sarveh Pour-Mohammadi

The Sanandaj Revolutionary Court has issued a ten-year prison sentence to Sarveh Pour-Mohammadi, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Judge Karami has notified Pour-Mohammadi’s lawyer of the verdict, sentencing her to ten years for “establishing groups with intentions to disrupt national security.”

Pour-Mohammadi, a member of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association, was apprehended by security forces on January 29, 2023. After spending 13 days in detention, she was released on bail from the Sanandaj Correctional Center.

Edris Menbari Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Edris Menbari, Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association, Sanandaj

In a recent court ruling, the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court handed down a ten-year prison sentence to Edris Menbari, who was detained during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Judge Karami informed Menbari’s attorney that he has been sentenced to ten years for “establishing groups aimed at undermining national security.” The court session took place on October 1, 2023. He and his attorney were not allowed to attend.

Notably, the Criminal Court of Sanandaj had previously issued a verdict, sentencing Menbari to one year in prison and 40 lashes for his involvement in “disturbing public order”.

On December 18, 2022, security forces apprehended Menbari at his residence in Sanandaj amid the nationwide protests. He was subsequently released on bail in February 2023.

It is important to mention that Edris Menbari holds the position of a board member at the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association.

Five Inmates Executed in Birjand for Drug-Related Convictions

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Executions, News
Abdolbasir Mohammadani, Birjand Prison, Mohamad Mirshah, Mohammad-Nabi Shahoo-Zahi, Omid Jovini, Reza Shahraki

On October 26, authorities at Birjand Prison executed five individuals, as detailed by Haal Vsh.

The executed prisoners have been identified as Abdolbasir Mohammadani (30 years old), Mohammad-Nabi Shahoo-Zahi (55 years old), Mohamad Mirshah, Reza Shahraki, and Omid Jovini. All of them had previously been convicted of drug-related offenses.

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.

 

Two Baha’i Women Receive Prison Sentences in Mashhad

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News
Baha'i women, Farideh Moradi, Golnoosh Nasiri, Hadi Mansouri

Golnoosh Nasiri and Farideh Moradi, both Baha’i citizens, have been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

Judge Hadi Mansouri issued this verdict on October 26, which allocates three years for “membership in a group with intentions against national security” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the decision stands after appeal, they will serve a three-year prison term for the first charge.

Nasiri and Moradi were granted release on bail totaling 5 billion tomans (approximately 100,000 dollars) in late August of this year.

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.

Two Inmates Executed at Qezel Hesar Prison for Murder Convictions

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Hamshahri, Qezel Hesar Prison

On October 25, 2023, officials at Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison carried out the execution of two inmates who had been convicted of murder, as disclosed by Hamshahri Newspaper.

One of the inmates had been found guilty of the tragic killing of two women five years ago, while the other inmate had been convicted of the murder of a woman he was engaged to two years ago. The other inmate had been convicted of a woman he was engaged two years ago.
The report, however, did not disclose the identities of these individuals who were subjected to capital punishment.

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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Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Hasti Amiri, Iman Afshari, Zia Nabavi

The Tehran Court of Appeal upheld a one-year sentence against Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, students at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, with Judge Iman Afshari presiding, had handed down the one-year sentences to both students on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” This decision has now been confirmed by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. Consequently, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

 

Six Baha’i Citizens Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences

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News, Religious Minorities
Ali Mazloum, Arsalan Yazdani, Baha'i citizen, Pedram Abhar, raj Shakoor, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, Samira Ebrahimi, Tehran

In a recent development, the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down substantial prison sentences to six Baha’i citizens, namely Samira Ebrahimi, Arsalan Yazdani, Pedram Abhar, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, and Iraj Shakoor, totaling 32 years and 10 months behind bars.

Presiding over Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Judge Ali Mazloum has pronounced six-year sentences for Yazdani, Abhar, Khozuei, and Shakoor, while Ebrahimi and Sefidi have been each sentenced to four years and five months.

The charges against these individuals are as follows:

  • Samira Ebrahimi: Membership in anti-regime groups, propaganda against the regime, and engaging in educational activities against Sharia law.
  • Arsalan Yazdani: Membership in anti-regime groups, propaganda against the regime, and engaging in educational activities against Sharia law.
  • Pedram Abhar: Membership in anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.
  • Saba Sefidi: Membership in anti-regime groups and propaganda against the regime.
  • Saeedeh Khozuei: Membership in anti-regime groups.
  • Iraj Shakoor: Propaganda against the regime, assembly, and collusion against the regime.

Should these verdicts withstand the appeals process, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will mandate the enforcement of a five-year prison term for Yazdani, Khozuei, Shakoor, and Abhar. Ebrahimi and Sefidi, on the other hand, would serve three years and five months in prison.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

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.

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Four-Year, Nine-Month Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Mobtakeran Machinery Company

Arak resident, Hamidreza Najafi, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison by both the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts of Arak.

The Revolutionary Court has levied a three-year, six-month sentence against Najafi for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” Additionally, the Criminal Court has imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”

Najafi, who was detained in September of this year, was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Previously, Najafi had faced fines for “spreading false information” as part of a separate legal case.

Aged 41, Najafi is an inventive entrepreneur and serves as the CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company.

Four Baha’i Women Sentenced to Imprisonment

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News, Religious Minorities
Azita Foroughi, Baha'i citizens, Hadi Mansouri, Mashhad, Nasim Sabeti, Rouya Ezabadi, Soheila Ahmadi

In a recent ruling, Nasim Sabeti, Azita Foroughi, Rouya Ezabadi, and Soheila Ahmadi, all members of the Baha’i faith, were handed down a prison sentence of three years and eight months.

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Hadi Mansouri, has sentenced each of these Baha’i residents of Mashhad to three years imprisonment for alleged “involvement with groups deemed a threat to national security” and an additional eight months for “disseminating propaganda against the government.”

Should the verdict stand after the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a three-year prison term will be enforced.

Legal proceedings against these individuals commenced in July of this year.

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.

Two Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Qezel Hesar Prison

On October 24, 2023, two inmates convicted of rape were executed in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison, located in Karaj.

The identity of these inmates, who are Afghan nationals, remains undisclosed at this time. HRANA is actively engaged in efforts to ascertain the identities of those subjected to the execution.

It’s worth noting that, as of the time of this report, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of 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.