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Poet and Writer Habib Mousavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Habib Mousavi, irgc, IRGC’s intelligence, Ramezan Haji Mashhadi

Habib Mousavi, a poet and writer, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by the Gorgan Criminal Court. Mousavi’s attorney, Ramezan Haji Mashhadi, was officially notified of his conviction for “disseminating false information on the Internet.” Additionally, Mousavi has been fined 20 million Tomans.

A source who spoke to HRANA cited “protesting against rising bread prices” as an example of the charge brought against Mousavi.

In the second segment of his legal proceedings, for the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” Mousavi had previously received an eight-month prison term, which was later commuted to a 20-million-toman fine,

Mousavi, 50 years old, was arrested on July 31, 2023, shortly after receiving a summons and visiting the IRGC’s intelligence office in Gorgan, Golestan Province.

Payam Bastani Parizi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Payam Bastani Parizi, Tehran

On September 11, Payam Bastani Parizi was apprehended at his father’s residence in Tehran and subsequently transported to an undisclosed detention center. Notably, Bastani Parizi had previously been detained in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022.

A source closely associated with his family relayed to HRANA that a group of eight security agents conducted the arrest at his father’s residence. The grounds for Bastani Parizi’s detention, his current location, and the charges against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

Bastani Parizi’s initial arrest occurred on September 24, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Tehran. He was subsequently released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary on February 8, 2023, under the “pardon and commutation” directive implemented at that time.

It’s noteworthy that Bastani Parizi, aged 36, has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

Prominent Activist Narges Mohammadi Assaulted in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, Tehran, zanjan

Narges Mohammadi, a prominent political prisoner currently housed at Evin Prison, has suffered physical abuse at the hands of a prison official in the infirmary due to her non-compliance with hijab regulations.

Mohammadi and another inmate were in the prison infirmary where she was subjected to verbal harassment and physical violence by a prison officer. Following the altercation, Mohammadi was transported from the infirmary via ambulance. Her current condition and well-being remain uncertain.

It is noteworthy that Mohammadi has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to her activism. In October 2020, she was released from Zanjan Prison after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, her ordeal persisted as she faced another legal case, culminating in a sentence of 30 months of imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was arrested once again during a commemorative event honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who had lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down a staggering eight-year prison sentence, accompanied by seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and various social restrictions.

Adding to her ordeal, Mohammadi received an additional one-year prison sentence in early August, stemming from a new case initiated during her incarceration.

Atefeh Rangriz Arrested in Damghan

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News, Other
Atefeh Rangriz, Damghan, Semnan prison, Semnan Province

Damghan, Semnan Province – On Sunday, September 10, Atefeh Rangriz was apprehended by security forces at her mother’s residence and subsequently confined in Semnan Prison.

A source close to Rangriz’s family informed HRANA that security forces conducted the arrest at her mother’s residence. Shortly after her apprehension, she managed to make a brief phone call to her family, disclosing her transfer to Semnan Prison.

The exact grounds for her detention remain undisclosed at this time. She has encountered prior arrests and convictions due to her activism.

Arrests of Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Shirafkan, Amirabad prison, Behrooz Izadi Rad, Gorgan

On Friday, September 10, Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan, both residents of Gorgan, were apprehended and taken to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to the family of one of these detainees has confirmed their arrest by security forces.

As of now, the precise reasons behind their arrests and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.
It’s noteworthy that Izadi Rad had previously been arrested on May 15, 2023, and subsequently incarcerated in Amirabad Prison, Gorgan. He regained his freedom on bail on August 22, 2023.
Izadi Rad has encountered prior arrests and convictions due to his involvement in various activities.

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Lawyer Mohammad Najafi Sentenced to Four Months for Disseminating False Information

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News, Prisoners
Arak prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Najafi, Reza Moazen

Mohammad Najafi, a lawyer currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, has received a four-month prison sentence from the Criminal Court of Arak.

This verdict, issued in absentia, finds Najafi guilty of “spreading falsehood.” The legal case was initiated following a complaint lodged by the head of Arak prison, Reza Moazen. According to a source who informed HRANA, the charge was based on Najafi’s exposure of issues within the prison system, particularly the prison head’s failure to address these concerns and mistreatment against political prisoners.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court has also ruled to disbar Najafi, prohibiting him from practicing law.

Najafi has been embroiled in multiple legal cases in the past. In his most recent case, he was sentenced to two years in prison and a 15-million-toman fine by Branch 106 of the Arak Criminal Court for “spreading falsehood,” and to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.”

In another legal matter, Najafi received a three-year prison sentence for insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran and an additional four months for spreading falsehood. In December 2018, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “collaborating with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC” in relation to the first part of this case. He was later pardoned and released under a “pardon and commute” directive but was re-arrested four days later for the second part of the case.

Furthermore, Najafi received a two-year prison sentence and a fine for spreading falsehood to disturb public opinion after writing an open letter addressed to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. This sentence was upheld on appeal, and he had previously been sentenced to one year in prison for similar charges in December 2018.

In February 2020, Najafi was handed a six-month prison sentence for attending and delivering a speech at a ceremony commemorating Sattar Beheshti, a blogger who had been tortured and killed while in custody.

Ultimately, Najafi received a 10-year prison sentence for the most severe charge of “collaboration with hostile foreign countries by giving interviews with the Voice of America and Persian BBC.” This sentence was later reduced to four years and six months.

Morteza Nourmohammadi Arrested in Shabestar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nourmohammadi, Shabestar

On September 9, Morteza Nourmohammadi, a resident of Shabestar in East Azerbaijan province, was apprehended by security forces and transported to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

A source with close ties to his family informed HRANA that Nourmohammadi was detained on September 9, immediately following a visit to the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran. Subsequent to his arrest, intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Previously, the National Organization for Civil Registration had declined to register a chosen name for his newborn child. It’s worth noting that the Iranian government restricts naming children in ways that deviate from the national cultural and religious norms.

The precise grounds for his detention, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

Hamid Dadras Detained in Dehdasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Armin, Dehdasht, Hamid Dadras, Jaber Froughi, Sajad Parvish

On Friday, September 8, 2023, security forces apprehended Hamid Dadras, who had been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022, in Dehdasht and transported him to an undisclosed location.

A source closely connected to his family shared this information with HRANA.

At this time, the motive behind his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.
It’s worth noting that on Thursday, September 7, three additional Dehdasht residents, namely Babak Armin, Jaber Froughi, and Sajad (Sajjad) Parvish, were also taken into custody by security forces in Dehdasht.

Previously, Dadras had been taken into custody on December 9, during the 2022 nationwide protests in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. He was subsequently released on bail after a period of detention.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Gorgan Resident Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Mohammad Reza Shoghi, Tahmuras Shoghi

On September 8, 2023, Mohammad-Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently jailed in Amirabad Prison.

According to a source close to his family who provided information to HRANA, Shoghi was taken into custody at his residence on Friday, September 8, following a summons from security police received via phone a few days earlier.

As of now, the specific reason for Shoghi’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shoghi, aged 23, has previously encountered law enforcement and undergone prior arrests due to his involvement in activist endeavors.

Seven Executions Carry out Across Various Prisons in Iran

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Executions, News
Ali Abbas Najari, Birjand, Mohammad Narooie, Mohammad Narui, Qom, Saeed Sanjarani, Shiraz, Tabriz, Zahedan

In recent days, seven inmates, including a woman, met their fate through executions carried out in Tabriz, Shiraz, Qom, Birjand, and Zahedan Prisons.

According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, on Tuesday, September 5, Ali Abbas Najari (Najjari), aged 37, was executed in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison. He had been convicted of murder three years ago.

The Rokna News Agency also reported the execution of an inmate, identified only by his first name, Saeed, aged 34, in Tabriz Prison. He was found guilty of taking a life during a group altercation four years ago.

On Friday, September 8, a female inmate, who had been convicted of murder, was executed in Qom Prison, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Furthermore, Haal Vsh reported the execution of Saeed Sanjarani, aged 23, who had been convicted of drug-related crimes in Birjand Prison on September 10. Additionally, three inmates, one of whom was identified as Mohammad Narui (Narooie), aged 27, were executed in Zahedan Prison on September 9. Narui had been convicted of murder three years ago, while the other two were found guilty of murder in a joint case seven years ago.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.