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Political Prisoner Nayeb Askari Sentenced to Death for Enmity Against God

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Executions, News, Prisoners
IRGC Intelligence, moharebeh, Nayeb Askari, Urmia prison

The Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court sentenced Nayeb Askari to death for “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 15, 2023, Urmia judicial officials informed Nayeb Askari’s lawyer that his client had received a death sentence for the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

Membership in a Kurdish opposition party was cited as an example of this charge.

On March 27, 2021, IRGC intelligence agents arrested Askari in Urmia and transferred him to a detention facility. On June 17, 2021, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, where he has been detained since.

According to sources close to his family, Askari has reportedly been in poor health during his detention. In February or January 2022, he suffered from a convulsion but was denied proper medical care. The prison infirmary was reportedly ill-equipped and in such cases suffices to the arbitrary prescription of a non-specific pill.

On July 12, 2021, a new case was opened against him following the complaint of the head of Urmia Prison. For this case, he was sentenced to three months more imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order”.

Iran Protests: Three Members of Family Still Detained in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardavan Fallahi, Arghvan Fallahi, Evin Prison, moharebeh, Nasrollah Fallahi, Tehran, the 2022 Nationwide Protests

Nasrollah Fallahi and his son and daughter, Ardavan and Arghavan, are still detained in Evin Prison, awaiting further legal proceedings. They were arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three members of a family, arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests, are in detention in Evin prison with an unclear status of due prosses.

According to attorney Erfan Karam-Veisi, they have been charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth through widespread actions against the country” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime.” This lawyer said that judicial officials did not allow him to represent this family.
Also, an informed source close to this family told HRANA, “The Investigation Office has held two sessions so far. However, they have not yet been indicted.”
On November 3, 2022, Ardavan Fallahi, age 24, was arrested in Isfahan and his father, age 66, and sister, age 22, the next day in Shiraz. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

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.

 

Three Schoolgirls Arrested for Poison Attacks on Schools in Shiraz

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Children, News, Other
Adelabad Prison, Erfaneh Honar, Poison Attacks, Setayesh Amiri, Setayesh Darougheh, Shiraz

Three schoolgirls, Erfaneh Honar, Setayesh Darougheh, and Setayesh Amiri, have been arrested for serial poison attacks in Shiraz. These minors are being held in the quarantine section of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in recent days, three school girls were arrested over poison attacks on schools in Shiraz.

An informed source told HRANA, “They were arrested in recent days, although the exact date of their arrest is unknown. These three young girls are currently being held in the quarantine section of Adelabad Prison without access to phone calls or family visitation.”

Although the specific allegations against them are unknown, it is worth noting that in recent months, security and judicial institutions have attempted to deflect blame onto opposition groups or even to scapegoat students.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Abbas Sharifi Arrested in Behshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Sharifi, Behshahr, he 2022 nationwide protests, Sari

On April 11, Abbas Sharifi, a resident of Behshahr, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents and taken to a detention facility in Sari. He was previously arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 11, 2023, Abbas Sharifi was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents.

Abbas Sharifi’s brother, Mohammad Sharifi, stated, “IRGC intelligence agents arrested my brother at his home and took him to a detention facility in Sari.”

On October 1, 2022, security forces arrested Sharifi violently in Sari and transferred him to Sari Prison after seven days of holding him in a detention facility.

On November 13, 2022, the Sari Revolutionary Court sentenced Sharifi to 43 months in prison. On March 1, he was released on bail.

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.

 

Hafez Omar Askani Arrested in Rask

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News, Other
Haal Vsh, Hafez Omar Askani, Rask

On April 12, 2023, security forces arrested Hafez Omar Askani in Rask County and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 12, 2023, quoting Haal Vsh, 25-year-old Hafez Omar Askani was arrested by security forces in Rask County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Security forces reportedly arrested Askani at his workplace and did not show any arrest warrant.

Askani’s location and the allegations against him are still unknown.

 

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Journalist Saeed Seyf-Ali Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asal Esmailzadeh, Didban Iran news outlet, Evin Courthouse, Saeed Seyf-Ali

Saeed Seyf-Ali, the managing editor of the Didban Iran news outlet, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist Saeed Seyf-Ali was arrested by security forces.

Asal Esmailzadeh, Seyf-Ali’s wife, stated that her husband went to the courthouse on Tuesday, April 11, to inquire about his case, but was subsequently arrested. She added that she has not been informed about his whereabouts or the security institutions responsible for his arrest.

Earlier on January 7, 2023, Seyf-Ali was arrested after an appearance at Evin Courthouse and was released on bail of one billion Toman after eight days.

The reason for his arrest, his current location, and the specific allegations against him are still unknown.

 

Golrokh Iraee Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, golrokh iraee, Iman Afshari

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced former political prisoner Golrokh Iraee to seven years and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee was sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Iraee to six years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition, she has been banned from leaving the country, travelling to Tehran, and joining political and civil groups for two years. Her cell phone has also been confiscated by the court.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years in prison for the first charge will be enforceable.

An informed source close to her family told HRANA, “the Judge sentenced Golrokh to six years despite the maximum five years sentence for the charge of assembly and collusion, determined in the Islamic penal code. The judge cited the possibility of reoffending as the reason for the longer sentence, even though Iraee has never been convicted of this crime in her previous legal cases.”

“Iraee and her family were told by security and judicial officials that the only way to avoid incarceration is to submit a written request for a pardon, which Iraee has repeatedly refused to do. As a result, Judge Afshsari has refused to grant her bail,” the source added.

On September 26, 2022, security forces arrested Iraee violently at her home in Tehran.

Iraee faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions. In the last case, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to three years and seven months, which was upheld later on appeal. Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years and one month was enforceable.

Also earlier, in April 2021, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her in absentia to one year and additional punishments for “propaganda against the regime.” She was released on Amol Perison on May 9, 2022.

 

Masoud Eslaminasab Jailed in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, iran protests, Masoud Eslaminasab, moharebeh, the 2022 Nationwide Protests

Masoud Eslaminasab, arrested at the 2022 nationwide protests, was transferred to Evin prison to start serving his seven-year sentence. He was arrested in October 2022 and detained in Great Tehran Penitentiary.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Masoud Eslaminasab (Bakhtiari) was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing.

Earlier, the Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced Eslaminasab to seven years in prison and four years of exile for multiple charges, including “arson and destruction of public property,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “membership in anti-regime groups.” On trial, he was acquitted of the charge of “carrying a cold weapon.”

Initially, Eslaminasab had received 21 years and six months for these charges.

On October 15, 2022, security forces arrested Eslaminasab at his house. The agents also searched his house and confiscated some of his belonging.

Eslaminasab was held for about one month in solitary confinement at Great Tehran Penitentiary. During detention, he reportedly was forced to make confessions to accept allegations such as ” enmity against God (Moharebeh) through assaulting a police officer.” However, the court dismissed the charge after the injured officer testified that Eslami-Nasab did not have any role in this incident.

It is noteworthy that along with Eslaminasab, dozens of other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience were relocated from Great Tehran Penitentiary to Evin Prison.

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.

 

 

Iran Protests: Yasin Moghadam Still in Detention for Over Four Months

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News
iran protests, Mazandaran, Sari, the 2022 Nationwide Protests, Tirkala Prison, Yasin Moghadam

Yasin Moghadam, arrested at the 2022 nationwide protests, is still detained for over four months in Sari Prison with an unclear status of due process.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Yasin Moghadam has been detained for over four months in Sari Prison, Mazandaran Province.

An informed source told HRANA, “Moghadam is held in a ward of prisoners of violent crimes in Tirkala Prison, Sari, for 133 days, with an unclear status of due process.”

On November 29, 2022, 20-year-old Moghadam was arrested by security forces. After 26 days, he was transferred from a detention facility to Sari Prison.

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.

 

 Imprisoned British-Iranian National Mehran Raoof: Double Nationals Denied Their Citizen Rights in Iranian Prisons

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News, Prisoners
British-Iranian National, Evin Prison, irgc, Mehran Raoof

In an open letter, political prisoner Mehran Raoof sheds light on how he and other political and double national prisoners are denied their fundamental rights in Iranian prisons.

He highlights that governments often use double national prisoners as leverage in negotiations with other countries, so the recent pardon and commutation directive does not include them.

Raoof further speaks out against the violations of his rights during detention, stating that the IRGC intelligence unit held him in detention for eight months without any furlough or access to a lawyer, which is a clear violation of Iranian law. Moreover, for several months, his family was kept in the dark about his condition and whereabouts, and he was not even allowed to contact them.

He ends his letter with these statements:
“This clear discrimination and oppression are not unfamiliar to us, who have lived under the rule of the Islamic Republic for over 40 years. Many of us, including political prisoners, women’s rights activists, environmental activists, and workers’ rights activists are imprisoned on charges of having different beliefs and opinions and protesting against wrong and dictatorial policies and laws. We stand in solidarity with the nationwide protests, demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners.”

In October 2020, IRGC intelligence agents arrested this 65-year-old British-Iranian national and held him for eight months in a detention facility known as Ward 2A in Evin Prison. Later, he was relocated to Ward 1. In August 2021, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, sentenced him to ten years and eight months in prison, which was later reduced to seven years and six months.