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Researcher Ali Ramezani Receives Three Years and Seven Months Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Ramezani, Amirkabir University of Technology, IEEE, Iman Afshari

Ali Ramezani, a researcher at Amirkabir University of Technology and a member of Iran’s Microelectronics Olympiad team, has been sentenced to three years and seven months by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Judge Iman Afshari presided over the case, ruling that Ramezani must serve a three-year prison term for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code stipulates that the three-year prison term for the first count will be enforceable.

Ramezani was arrested on October 16, 2023, at his residence by security forces and was later released on bail.

As a distinguished researcher, Ramezani received the best thesis award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in 2021.

Execution Carried Out in Hamedan Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Ahmad Esmaeili, Citizen execution, Hamedan, HRANA

On February 21, 2024, Ahmad Esmaeili, convicted of drug-related crimes, was executed in Hamedan Prison.

A reliable source informed HRANA that Esmaeili was apprehended by security forces in 2018 under suspicion of smuggling 11 kilograms of methamphetamine, leading to his subsequent death sentence.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation of this execution from domestic media outlets or official sources within the country.

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. This report also reveals 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.

 

Appeals Court Upholds One-Year Sentence for Amir Sheibani Zaveh Linked to 2022 Nationwide Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Sheibani Zaveh, Hadi Mansouri, HRANA, Mashhad

The Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province has upheld the one-year sentence against Amir Sheibani Zaveh, citing his involvement in the 2022 nationwide protests.

The initial verdict, issued by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, found Sheibani Zaveh guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the one-year imprisonment, he faces a two-year travel ban and two years of restrictions on Internet and social media use.

A source close to Sheibani Zaveh’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the charge was based on his communication with the families of protestors injured or killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

Sheibani Zaveh was apprehended by security forces in Mashhad in late October 2022 and remained in detention for a period. In January 2023, he received a sentence of eight years and six months, which was later nullified following his inclusion in the “general pardon and commutation” directive.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Journalist Ruhollah Nakhaei Begins Serving Two-Year Sentence Despite Pardon

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini, Parto Borhanpour, Ruhollah Nakhaei, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Journalist Ruhollah Nakhaei has initiated his two-year sentence, despite being included in the “general commutation and pardon” directive issued in the winter of 2023, as stated by his lawyer, Parto Borhanpour.

Arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, Nakhaei was convicted by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “assembly and collusion against national security” (two years) and “propaganda against the regime” (seven months). The verdict, upheld on appeal, is now enforceable for two years, per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Inmate Executed in Ardabil Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Ardabil, Citizen executed, Iraj Paki Delazi

Ardabil prison officials executed Iraj Paki Delazi, a 38-year-old father of four, on February 19, 2024, for drug offenses.

Despite the execution, no official sources or domestic media outlets in the country have reported on the incident, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process. The lack of information prompts questions regarding the circumstances surrounding Delazi’s death.

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.

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Afshin Naziri Faces Imprisonment and Travel Restrictions Over Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Afshin Naziri, Evin Prison, Pardis

Afshin Naziri has been handed a verdict by the Revolutionary Court of Pardis, resulting in a sentence of four years and nine months of imprisonment, coupled with a two-year travel ban.

The charges against Naziri include 33 months for “membership in groups acting against national security,” 16 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Additionally, as per the court’s decision, Naziri is prohibited from leaving the country for a duration of two years, and his cell phone has been ordered to be confiscated.

Naziri’s troubles began on August 27, 2023, when security forces arrested him at his residence, subsequently transferring him to Evin Prison. After enduring 12 days of detention, he was released on bond.

Three Political Prisoners Sentenced to a Combined 14 Years in Upheld Verdict

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Laleh Zari, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Qarchak Prison, Rezavaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, Tehran, Varamin

The Appeals Court of Tehran has confirmed a joint 14-year prison sentence for political prisoners Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Rezavaneh Ahmad-Khan Beigi, and Behfar Laleh Zari.

As per the verdict endorsed by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court of Tehran, Laleh Zari and her husband Ahmad-Khan Beigi have each been given four years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Haji-Mohammadi, on the other hand, received a four-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The initial ruling was handed down by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Iman Afshari.

On September 18, 2023, civil rights advocate, Ahmad-Khan Beigi and Laleh Zari were arrested at their residence by security forces. Laleh Zari, initially held in solitary confinement under Security Police custody, was later transferred to Evin Prison, while Ahmad-Khan Beigi was relocated to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, eventually being moved to Evin Prison.

Haji-Mohammadi’s arrest occurred in Tehran in September 2023. After seven days of solitary confinement under the Public Security Police, they were transferred to Evin Prison.

All three political prisoners have a history of arrests and convictions stemming from their engagement in political activism.

Qom Seminary Lecturer, Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad, Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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News, Other
IRGC Intelligence, Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad, Qom, Qom Seminary

In a recent development, Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad, a lecturer at Qom Seminary, has been arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in Qom and taken to an undisclosed location.

The grounds for his arrest and the specific location of Akbarnejad’s detention remain unknown.

It is worth noting that Akbarnejad has previously faced legal scrutiny for his activism, adding a layer of complexity to the current situation.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar and Rap Singer Milad Jalili Sentenced to a Total of 14 Months in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Milad Jalili, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Tabriz Revolutionary Court

In a recent legal development, the Revolutionary Court in Tabriz has handed down a combined 14-month prison sentence to Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, and Milad Jalili, a rap singer.

As per the verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court, Taher Afshar has been sentenced to six months for “assisting in spreading propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili has received eight months for “propaganda against the regime through performing a political rap music supporting convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili has been acquitted of the charge of “acting against national security through inciting people to violence and riots.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Woman Executed in Qazvin Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Hajar Atabaki, Qazvin prison

In a tragic turn of events, Hajar Atabaki, a 41-year-old mother of one, was executed in Qazvin Prison on January 20, 2024, following her conviction for drug-related crimes, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Ms. Atabaki had been found guilty of drug offenses approximately two and a half years ago.

The execution raises concerns and renews discussions about the use of capital punishment, especially in cases related to non-violent offenses.

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.