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Political Prisoner Zohreh Sarv Survives Suicide Attempt in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, irgc, Theran, Zohreh Sarv

On December 12, Zohreh Sarv, a political prisoner confined in Evin Prison, made a suicide attempt using 30 Alprazolam pills. Following the incident, she received medical care at an external hospital before being returned to prison a few hours later.

Sources close to her family revealed that Sarv, already in poor health due to an ongoing hunger strike since November 23, was distressed by pressures and threats from prison officials. Despite her deteriorating health, she continues to be denied release on probation and medical furlough.

Currently serving a six-year sentence in Evin Prison, Sarv faces health issues, including knee injuries and potential breast cysts, requiring essential medical treatments such as sonography and MRI tests. Her requests for hospital transport have been denied by prison officials, despite approval from the prison infirmary’s head.

Sarv’s legal troubles began in September 2021 when she was arrested by security forces and initially held in IRGC ward A-1. Following a month of interrogation, she was transferred to Evin Prison. The Tehran Revolutionary Court later issued a seven-year sentence, citing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The sentence is enforceable for six years.

It is important to note that Sarve has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. Prior to her arrest, she was actively engaged on social media platforms.

Four Inmates Executed in Karaj Following Drug Convictions

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Executions, News
Amin Zakeri, Central Prison of Karaj, Citizen executions, HRANA, Karaj

On December 12, 2023, the Central Prison of Karaj carried out the execution of four individuals who had been convicted of drug-related offenses, employing hanging as the method of execution.

HRANA has identified two of the executed individuals as Amin Zakeri and Khalil (last name unknown). HRANA is actively engaged in the process of identifying the remaining two inmates. HRANA is working on identifying the remaining two inmates.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

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.

Three Female Political Prisoners Facing Charges of Armed Rebellion (Baghi)

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Evin Courthouse, Evin Prison, Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, Nasim Gholami Fard, Tehran

On December 9 at Evin Courthouse, political prisoners Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, along with Nasim Gholami Fard, were indicted on charges of “armed rebellion (Baghi),” potentially carrying severe consequences. Their alleged collaboration with a political opposition party has been presented as evidence for this charge.

Former political prisoners Taghipour and Farsi were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21, while Gholami was apprehended in Tehran on accusations of collaborating with a political opposition party and subsequently detained in Evin Prison. The extent to which their legal cases are interconnected remains unclear.

During her incarceration, Gholami initiated a hunger strike, which concluded after receiving promises from authorities. Notably, in Iran’s legal system, the charge of Baghi carries potential penalties such as the death penalty, amputation of the right hand and left leg, and exile.

Both Taghipour and Farsi have a documented history of prior arrests and convictions related to their activism. The severity of the charges underscores the challenges faced by political prisoners in Iran’s judicial landscape.

Teacher Union Activist Ruhollah Gerehgosha Arrested in Mamasani

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Fars Province, Mamasani, Ruhollah Gerehgosha, Teacher union activist

On December 11, 2023, Ruhollah Gerehgosha, a teacher union activist, was apprehended by security forces in Nurabad, Mamasani County, Fars province.

As of now, the specifics surrounding Gerehgosha’s arrest and the allegations against him remain undisclosed. A source close to his family, in conversation with HRANA, has conveyed that his current whereabouts are unknown.

Six Baha’i Citizens’ Sentences Reduced to 29 Years and 10 Months on Appeal

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News, Religious Minorities
Arsalan Yazdani, Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Iraj Shakoor, Pedram Abhar, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, Samira Ebrahimi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has revised the sentences of six Baha’i citizens, resulting in a combined prison term of 29 years and 10 months. The affected individuals are Saeedeh Khozuei, Saba Sefidi, Iraj Shakoor, Samira Ebrahimi, Pedram Abhar, and Arsalan Yazdani.

Presiding over Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, Judge Abasasli issued the following breakdown for the revised sentences: Khozuei and Yazdani will serve six years each, Shakoor and Abhar five years each, Ebrahimi four years and five months, and Sefidi three years and five months.

A source close to the families, speaking to HRANA, revealed that “the government will confiscate the properties seized from these citizens during their arrest.”

The charges against each individual are as follows:

  • Saeedeh Khozuei: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Arsalan Yazdani: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Iraj Shakoor: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups.”
  • Pedram Abhar: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups.”
  • Samira Ebrahimi: Three years and five months for “membership in anti-regime groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Saba Sefidi: Three years and five months for “membership in anti-regime groups.”

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced them to a combined 32 years and 10 months.

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.

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Journalist Nasrin Hassani Receives One-Year Prison Sentence for Alleged Propaganda against Regime

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, Mahsa Amini, Nasrin Hassani, Siahat-e Shargh

The Bojnurd Revolutionary Court has handed down a one-year prison sentence to journalist Nasrin Hassani after finding her guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The court cited her online posts and photo publications as evidence of this alleged offense.

This verdict follows a prior seven-month imprisonment issued by the Bojnurd Criminal Court for “disseminating false information,” coupled with an additional fine for non-compliance with public Hijab regulations.

Nasrin Hassani, the managing editor of the weekly newspaper Siahat-e Shargh, was officially indicted on September 3 of this year and subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Hassani had previously experienced legal consequences during the Mahsa Amini Protests in September 2022 when she was arrested by security forces. She was later released after a period of detention.

Trial Commences for Swedish National Johan Floderus

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Other
Aftonbladet, Iman Afshari, Johan Floderus, Mizan, Sweden, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On December 10, 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court initiated proceedings in the trial of Johan Floderus, a Swedish citizen facing charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “espionage,” as reported by Mizan, Iran’s judiciary news agency.

Presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, the court session saw Floderus, accompanied by his legal representative, contesting the array of charges leveled against him, which include “spreading corruption on earth” and “undermining national security by collaborating with Israel to gather intelligence.” Throughout the proceedings, the prosecutor asserted that Floderus had allegedly “established a network in Iran in conjunction with the Swedish Intelligence service, engaged in activism aimed at overthrowing the regime, disguised fund transfers to Iran as part of a project, traveled to Israel, and collaborated with Israeli Intelligence within the European Union.”

Floderus was formally indicted in November of the current year.

In April 2022, Floderus visited Iran. As he was departing Iran on April 16, 2022, he was detained by the Ministry of Intelligence at the airport on charges of espionage.

In July, the Ministry of Intelligence issued a statement asserting that Floderus had made multiple trips to Iran. During his last visit, he was allegedly on a mission to uncover the identity of another spy who had been apprehended in Iran. Intelligence agents monitored his communications and, after accumulating evidence, arrested him under a warrant issued by the judiciary.

It is worth noting that on May 6, 2022, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his detention in Iran. The Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet described his arrest as a retaliatory move by Iran’s regime in response to the trial of Hamid Nouri, a prominent figure involved in the 1988 executions of Iranian political prisoners. Nouri had been arrested in November 2019 in Sweden and subsequently convicted of crimes against humanity.

Actor Mohammad Sadeghi Receives Five-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amol, Mohammad Sadeghi, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a five-year prison sentence to Mohammad Sadeghi, a theater and television actor. This verdict has been affirmed upon appeal.

In a video message, Sadeghi conveyed to the public that he was found guilty of charges related to “inciting people to violence and engage in activities to disrupt national security.” The ruling has been upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal.

The incident unfolded on July 16, 2023, when Sadeghi, a native of Amol, was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence at his residence in Tehran. After spending over a month in custody, he was released on bail on August 20.

Following his arrest, Sadeghi utilized social media to share details about the raid conducted by security forces at his residence. The Information Center of the Greater Tehran Police Command issued a statement connecting his detention to allegations of inciting violence and defaming the “guardians of order and security in society” based on a video clip published by Sadeghi.

 

Execution of Three Inmates in Urmia for Drug-Related Crimes

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News
Ali Shahin-Nejad, Citizen executed, Janali Nadimi Dargahi, Solat (Hamid) Tosan, Urmia prison

Urmia Prison officials executed three inmates on December 8, 2023, following their convictions for drug offenses.

The individuals identified by HRANA are Ali Shahin-Nejad, Solat (Hamid) Tosan, and Janali Nadimi Dargahi.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

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.

 

Oshnavieh Residents Sentenced to Prison for Alleged Political Opposition Ties

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News
Abdolkarim Kakul, Aram Shaaban, Fakhreddin Pudat, Oshnavieh, Soleiman Sharvirani

Four individuals from Oshnavieh, namely Soleiman Sharvirani, Aram Shaaban, Abdolkarim Kakul, and Fakhreddin Pudat, have received a collective sentence of six years and six months from the Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

Presiding Judge Mehdi Rezaie delivered the verdict, assigning one year to Sharvirani, three years and three months to Shaaban, one year to Kakul, and one year and three months to Pudat. The charges leading to these sentences include “membership and collaboration with one of the political opposition parties.”

The arrests of these individuals took place on July 9, 2023, in Oshnavieh, after which they were released on bail following the completion of the interrogation process by security forces.