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Iranian-American Woman Held in Detention on Alleged Espionage Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Emad Sharqi, Iranian-American woman, Khorasan, Morad Tahbaz, Shahab Dalili, Siamak Namazi

An Iranian-American woman has been taken into custody under allegations of “espionage,” as reported by Khorasan Newspaper.

Withholding details about her identity and the specific facility of her detainment, Khorasan stated: “In recent weeks, this individual has been arrested, with a history of involvement in NGOs within Afghanistan.”

Several other Iranian-American dual citizens, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and Shahab Dalili, are presently incarcerated in Iran. According to Khorasan, diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are underway for their potential release.

While the legal pursuit of individuals for espionage isn’t inherently considered a human rights violation, concerns arise regarding the credibility of these allegations. The Iranian regime frequently employs such charges to quell political dissidents, and the lack of transparency in legal proceedings raises further doubts about the legitimacy of these cases.

Azerbaijani (Turk) Activist Saeed Minaie Arrested in Bonab

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Ethnic Minorities, News
azerbaijani activist, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Bonab, East Azerbaijan province, Saeed Minaie

In a recent development, on August 7, 2023, Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Saeed Minaie was taken into custody by security forces in Bonab County, East Azerbaijan province.

Minaie was apprehended at his father’s rural abode within Bonab County. The precise grounds for his apprehension and current location remain undisclosed.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 225 instances of arrests pertaining to individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, highlighting ongoing concerns about the protection of ethnic minorities rights in the country.

 

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Sentenced to Combined Nine Years, Eight Months in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Shahrokh Ahmadi, Siamak Ebrahimi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a combined sentence of nine years and eight months to Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi, both residents of Tehran.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari informed Erfan Karam-Veisi about the verdict against his clients. Ebrahimi received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Ahmadi was sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, Ebrahimi’s four-year term will be enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal.

These individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Two Inmates Executed in Arak Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Arak prison, Arsalan Kazemi, HRANA

On August 6, 2023, Arak Prison carried out the execution of two prisoners who had been convicted of drug-related crimes, according to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists.

HRANA has identified one of the individuals executed has been identified as Arsalan Kazemi, aged 32.

As of the time of reporting, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided any coverage of these executions.

These executions highlight the issue of capital punishment for drug-related offenses. In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded 457 reports concerning the death penalty. Shockingly, approximately 43% of these executions were linked to drug-related charges.

 

Mohammad Sultani Arrested by Security Forces in Arak

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Mohammad Soltani, Mohammad Sultani

On August 5, 2023, Mohammad Sultani (Soltani) was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Arak and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source, speaking to HRANA, the agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his belongings during the arrest.

As of now, the specific reasons behind his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges brought against him remain undisclosed. The situation is being monitored, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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Soraya Rezaie Mahvar Arrested for Criticizing Compulsory Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Soraya Rezaie Mahvar

On August 1, Soraya Rezaie Mahvar, the Business Development Manager at Myket Company, an Iranian Android app store, was arrested by security forces after posting criticisms of the compulsory Hijab on social media.

A media channel with close ties to security institutions published the video footage of Rezaie Mahvar’s arrest, as well as some of her tweets. However, the report did not disclose the specific reasons behind her arrest or the location of her detention.

This arrest serves as a poignant example of the Iranian regime’s escalating legal measures to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on women in recent months. Concerns over the protection of individual rights and freedom of expression continue to mount as such cases emerge.

Nine Baha’i Citizens Begin Serving Prison Sentences in Karaj

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News, Religious Minorities
Elham Shareghi Arani, Kamyar Habibi, Mahsa Tirgar Bahnemiri, Nakisa Sadeghi, Negin Rezaie, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Saman Ostovar, Shahrzad Mastouri

On Saturday, August 5, 2023, nine Baha’i individuals were incarcerated in Kachooie Prison and the Central Prison of Karaj to commence their prison terms.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Mahsa Tirgar Bahnemiri, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Elham Shareghi Arani, Nakisa Sadeghi, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Shahrzad Mastouri, and Negin Rezaie were transferred to Kachooie prison, while Kamyar Habibi and Saman Ostovar were imprisoned in the Central Prison of Karaj.

In mid-June, the Appellate Court of Alborz province upheld a combined 40-year, seven-month sentence against these Baha’is along with four others. They have also received additional punishments as part of their conviction.

These individuals were found guilty of various charges, including “Insulting and propaganda against Sharia through engaging in educational activities” and “running groups to act against national security.”

The Iranian regime perceives the peaceful activities of Baha’is in providing humanitarian aid and education as a challenge to its own ideology.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a blatant violation of 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.

Prominent Activist Narges Mohammadi Receives One-Year Additional Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mazloom, Narges Mohammadi, Zanjan Prison

Narges Mohammadi, a well-known political prisoner currently held at Evin Prison, has been handed an additional one-year prison sentence in connection with a new case opened during her incarceration.

The verdict, issued by Judge Mazloom of Tehran Revolutionary Court, Branch 29, cites “propaganda against the regime” as the reason for the one-year sentence.
A letter written by Mohammadi from inside the prison was among the allegations raised against her. In the letter, she detailed instances of sexual harassment of female detainees by security forces during the arrest and interrogation process.

Mohammadi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. Mohammadi was released from Zanjan Prison in October 2020, after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, during her incarceration, she faced another case resulting in a sentence of 30 months imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was once again arrested during a ceremony honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down an eight-year prison sentence, seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and other social deprivations.

Narges Mohammadi’s commitment to her activism continues to be met with legal challenges.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Nowshahr County

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alvand Prison, Hamedan, Kabudarahang, Mehdi Seifi, Meisam Gholami, Meysam Gholami, Nowshahr

On August 2, 2023, Meisam Gholami, a former political prisoner and one of the detainees of the nationwide protests in 2022, was arrested along with his friend Mehdi Seifi by security forces in Nowshahr County. Both individuals were taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source close to one of the families, who spoke to HRANA, Meisam Gholami was arrested at his workplace in Nowshahr County, and shortly after, Mehdi Seifi was also detained. Their mobile phones and some personal belongings were confiscated by the agents.

Meisam Gholami’s initial arrest took place on October 1, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Kabudarahang, Hamedan Province. He spent 14 days in detention before being released on bail from Alvand Prison in Hamedan. The trial session addressing his charges was held on February 15, 2023, at the Revolutionary Court of Kabudarahang County.

Meisam Gholami, 37 years old, has a history of previous detentions and imprisonments due to his activist activities.

Hadi Atashbar Receives Five and a Half Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hadi Atashbar, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, Yazdankhah

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has sentenced Hadi Atashbar, a former political prisoner, to five years and six months in prison. He is currently jailed in Vakilabad prison, Mashhad.

According to this verdict issued on July 27 by Judge Yazdankhah, Atashbar has sentenced to three years for “joining groups to act against national security,” one years and eight months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and ten months for “propaganda against the regime.”

On February 14, 2023, Atashbar was arrested by security forces at his residence in Mashhad. After five days, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison, where he has remained in detention.

The 46-year-old activist has a history of detention and conviction due to his previous activities.