Sunni Hossein Askani Arrested in Rask

On April 2, 2023, security forces arrested Sunni citizen Hossein Askani in Rask and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 2, quoting the Baloch Activists Campaign, Hossein Askani was arrested in Rask, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

20-year-old Askani reportedly was apprehended by IRGC forces while returning from a religious school along with several other students.

The report speculates that his arrest is related to his activities in the religious group Tablighi Jamaat. (Society of Preachers)

Askani’s detained location is still unknown.

Dozens of Businesses Closed for Breaking Islamic Rules of Dress Code and Behavior

In recent days, dozens of businesses in several cities across Iran were closed for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code (Hijab) and behaviour rules.

An official from the IRGC announced the closure of at least 40 businesses in Kashan due to “female customers’ lack of Hijab.” Earlier, a hotel and a tourist complex were also shut down for this reason.

Similarly, in Khorramabad, one restaurant and one wedding hall were closed, and in Mianeh, seven businesses were shut down. In Babolsar, six businesses were closed, and several others in Shiraz were also affected due to violations of the Islamic dress code and behaviour rules.

Iran’s regime routinely violates its citizens’ privacy and right to choose their clothing. Imposing a certain lifestyle on citizens stands in blatant violation of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which entitles everyone to the right to life, liberty and security of person. Additionally, Article 12 of this declaration affirms, “One shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”

 

Maryam Bani-Razi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging for Breaking Hijab Rules  

Maryam Bani-Razi, a resident of Qom, was sentenced to over eight months, 148 lashes and additional punishments for not complying with the compulsory Hijab.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Persian BBC, Maryam Bani-Razi was sentenced to imprisonment.

Bani-Razi was given ten days in prison for removing her headscarf in public, eight months and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order,” and another 74 lashes and the two-year termination of her job as a nurse for “committing an outrage on public modesty.”

In November-December 2022, a video surfaced showing Bani-Razi in a bank without a headscarf.”

 

Iran Protests: Mehdi Dastani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

The Yazd Criminal Court sentenced teacher Mehdi Dastani, arrested at the 2022 nationwide protests, to one year in prison and 74 lashes, a ban from leaving the country and termination of service as a teacher.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Medi Dastani, a teacher and resident of Yazd, was sentenced to one year in prison and flogging.

Dastani received this verdict for “disturbing public order by creating traffic on the street and accompanying troublemakers.” This verdict was upheld on appeal.

An informed source told HRANA, “last March, Dastani was summoned to endure flogging and start serving his sentence.”

“He was acquitted from other charges due to the lack of evidence,” the source added.

On September 28, 2022, Dastani was arrested at nationwide protests by security forces in Yazd and released after three days on 700-million-toman 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.

 

Iran Protests: Citizens Arrested in Kermanshah

Security forces arrested an individual in Kermanshah for “association with anti-regime satellite television channels and leading the protests.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Fars News Agency, an individual was arrested by IRGC forces in Kermanshah.

This report claims that this individual “met anti-regime groups in Kurdish regions of Iran one month before the beginning of [nationwide] protests. He also sent pictures of protests and strikes to anti-regime satellite television channels.”

He was also accused of leading the protests. This report did not disclose his identity and his detained location.

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.

 

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Several Tour Members Arrested in Dezful

The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Dezful announced the arrest of several tour members in Dezful County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ILNA, several tour members were arrested in Dezful.

Without disclosing the number of detainees and the allegations, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Dezful, Mehdi Amadeh, mentioned breaking norms and indecent acts as the reason for the arrest.

According to this judicial official, this tour had lodged adjacent to Dez Dam Lake in Dezful Country. He also stated that the tour leader was jailed in prison.

What the regime labels “promoting a western lifestyle” has long been a source of tension between the regime and the Iranian people.
Iran’s regime routinely violates citizens’ privacy rights and cultural activities, deemed at variance with Islamic values.

 

Iran Protests: Sahand Nourmohammadzadeh Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Sahand Nourmohammadzadeh to six years in prison and ten years of exile in Kahnuj, Kerman Province. This sentence was issued after his death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Shargh Newspaper, Sahand Nourmohammadzadeh, one of the individuals arrested at the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to imprisonment and exile.

Nourmohammadzadeh has received ten years of exile for “enmity against God (moharebeh),” five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year in prison for “disturbing public order.”

Ahmadi expressed disappointment that the judge, contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision, did not dismiss the charge of Moharebeh. Additionally, Ahmadi announced that he would object to this verdict.
Nourmohammadzadeh was initially sentenced to death, but the Supreme Court overturned this decision and sent the case to Branch 26 for review.

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.

 

Abbas Nasiri San’ati Arrested in Tehran

On March 27, Abbas Nasiri San’ati, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on March 27, 2023, security forces arrested Abbas Nasiri San’ati, age 52, in Tehran.

An informed source close to his family told HRANA, “Monday morning, intelligence agents arrested San’ati at his sister’s house in Tehran. His whereabouts are unknown, raising his family’s concern.”

The reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts and the allegation against him are still unknown.

 

 

Citizen Killed in Unrestrained Shooting by the Police in Kermanshah

25-year-old Azad Rezaie, a resident of Kermanshah, was shot dead in the head by the police.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Azad Rezaie, a Yarsan Follower, was killed in an unrestrained shooting by the police in Kermanshah.

The police reportedly started shooting at his vehicle, leading to his death.
According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 845 people were shot by military forces.

Yarsanism, Ahl-e Haqq is a syncretic religion founded by Sultan Sahak in the late 14th century in western Iran.

 

 

 

 

Baha’i Citizen Nahaleh Shahidi Yazdi Arrested

On March 28, 2023, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Nahaleh Shahidi Yazdi on her way from Karaj to Kerman and took her to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on March 28, 2023, Baha’i Nahaleh Shahidi Yazdi was arrested by security forces.

An informed source told HRANA, “Shahidi was arrested on her way from Karaj to Kerman.”

The reasons for her arrest and the detained location are still unknown.

Shahidi was arrested in March 2011 and then sentenced to two years in prison and one year of suspended imprisonment for her civil and children’s rights activities, such as holding literacy courses for children left out of schools after the Bam earthquake.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 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.