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Two Inmates Executed in Khorramabad

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Executions, News
Fathollah Rashtu, Khorramabad, Parseylun Prison, Vahid Kakavand

On Thursday, October 19, 2023, Parseylun Prison in Khorramabad witnessed the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes.

HRANA has identified them as Vahid Kakavand and Fathollah Rashtu. HRANA had previously reported their relocation to solitary confinement to await their fate.

Notably, just two days ago, three other inmates faced execution within the confines of this prison.
At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

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.

Execution Carried Out in Rasht’s Lakan Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Ketabi, Lakan prison, Rasht

On October 17, 2023, Rasht’s Lakan Prison witnessed the execution of an inmate found guilty of drug-related offenses.

HRANA has identified the executed prisoner as Ketabi; however, his first name remains unknown.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

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.

Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Arrested in Kashan

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News, Religious Minorities
Arash Moradi, Gonabadi Dervish, great tehran penitentiary, HRANA, Kashan

On October 17, Arash Moradi, a Gonabadi Dervish, was arrested by security forces in Kashan and promptly taken to an undisclosed facility.

A source with close ties to his family has informed HRANA that Moradi’s arrest unfolded at his place of work, where the agents conducted a search and confiscated some of his personal belongings.
The motivations behind Moradi’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the specific charges brought against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Moradi was previously detained during the 2018 Dervish protests and subsequently sentenced to one year in prison. After serving his sentence, Moradi was released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary.
This development takes place against the backdrop of a broader pattern of suppression and persecution faced by the Gonabadi Dervish community in Iran, who have long struggled against government restrictions on their religious practices and their peaceful expressions of dissent.

Tragic Execution of Ten Inmates at Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Behzadi, Qezel Hesar Prison, Shahab Shahbazi

In a somber development on October 18, 2023, Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison bore witness to the execution of ten inmates who had been convicted of drug-related offenses and murder.

HRANA has identified two of these individuals as Shahab Shahbazi and Mohammad Behzadi, both convicted of drug-related crimes. The organization is actively working to confirm the identities of the remaining inmates who met a similar fate.

It’s worth noting that HRANA had previously reported on the relocation of two inmates to solitary confinement within this prison, signaling the imminent implementation of the death penalty.

At the time of composing this report, official sources and domestic media outlets within the country have not yet provided any information regarding these executions.

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.

 

Civil Rights Advocate Arsham Rezaie Arrested in Karaj

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News
Arsham Rezaie, irgc, Karaj, Mahmood Rezaie

On October 17, civil rights activist Arsham (Mahmood) Rezaie was arrested by security forces in Karaj and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to his family, the IRGC intelligence conducted the apprehension at Rezaie’s residence in Karaj. As of now, the specific reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Rezaie has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his involvement in civil rights activities.

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Lawyer Naser Sargeran Arrested

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News, Other
Naser Sargeran, Sanandaj, Saqqez

On October 11, 2023, security forces apprehended Naser Sargeran, a lawyer living with a visual impairment, in Saqqez, subsequently relocating him to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sanandaj.

According to a report by Kurdpa, Sargeran was taken into custody at his residence in Saqqez. It’s important to note that in addition to his legal profession, Sargeran also serves as a university lecturer and is an advocate for disability rights.

The specific reasons behind this arrest, as well as any charges that may have been filed against him, remain unknown at this juncture.

Three Inmates Executed in Khorramabad

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Executions, News
Khorramabad, Parseylun Prison, Sajjad Moradi, Yaser Golzardian

On Tuesday, October 17, three inmates who had been convicted of drug-related crimes met their execution in Parseylun Prison, located in Khorramabad.

HRANA has successfully identified two of them as Sajjad Moradi and Yaser Golzardian. These inmates had been transferred to solitary confinement in anticipation of their execution. HRANA is diligently working on confirming the identity of the third inmate.

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.

 

Lawyer Saleh Nikbakht Receives One-Year Sentence and Social Media Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eskandar Lotfi, Jafar Panahi, Mahsa Amini, Masoud Nikkhah, Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, Saleh Nikbakht, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Saleh Nikbakht has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and faces restrictions on his social media activities.

Presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, the Tehran Revolutionary Court delivered this verdict to Nikbakht for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, he has been prohibited from engaging in social media activities for a duration of two years.

According to sources cited by HRANA, Nikbakht’s refusal to accept the forensic report concerning the cause of Mahsa Amini’s death was cited as evidence supporting this charge. Nikbakht, who served as Amini’s lawyer, found himself embroiled in this legal case following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Intelligence, primarily due to his interviews with media outlets outside Iran.

On March 11, 2023, Nikbakht was indicted at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Nikbakht has represented Mahsa Amini and several political prisoners, including Jafar Panahi, Eskandar Lotfi, and Masoud Nikkhah, in legal matters.

Eghbal Majidi Detained in Sanandaj

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News, Other
Eghbal Majidi

In a recent development, on October 14, 2023, Eghbal Majidi was apprehended by security forces in Sanandaj. According to reports from Kurdpa, he was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

Majidi’s arrest took place at his workplace, and it is worth noting that the arresting agents did not present an arrest warrant. They also conducted searches at both his workplace and residence.

At this time, the exact grounds for his arrest, the specific allegations against him, and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Leila Hosseinzadeh Faces New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Evin Courthouse, Leila Hosseinzadeh, Shiraz

Former political prisoner Leila Hosseinzadeh is confronted with a new legal case brought forth by the prosecutor’s offices of Evin Courthouse.

Hosseinzadeh stands accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

On August 20, 2022, security forces arrested Hosseinzadeh in front of her residence in Tehran and subsequently detained her in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. During the arrest, she was beaten by the agents. She was later relocated to a detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No. 100, and subsequently to Adelabad Prison.

On January 4, 2023, Hosseinzadeh was once again transferred to Evin Prison. After five days, she was granted release on bail.

Leila Hosseinzadeh, a student activist from the University of Tehran, has a documented history of previous arrests and convictions tied to her activism.