Author: . .

Three Inmates Executed for Drug-Related Crimes in Hamedan

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Abbas Rahmani, executions in iran, Farrokhi, Hamedan, Hamedan prison, Mohsen Yaghooti

On July 17, 2023, three inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Hamedan Prison.

The Human Rights Advocacy and Humanitarian Association (HRAHA) has identified the inmates as Abbas Rahmani, Mohsen Yaghooti, and Farrokhi.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

Baha’i Citizen Keyvan Rahimian Arrested in Tehran

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Iranian Bahais, Keyvan Rahimian, Tehran

On July 18, 2023, security forces arrested Baha’i Citizen Keyvan Rahimian in Tehran and transferred him to Evin Prison.

A reliable source close to Rahimian’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that he informed his family about his transfer to Evin Prison during a phone call following his arrest.

The grounds for this arrest and the allegation against him are unknown.

The specific reasons behind his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Rahimian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism. Notably, he also serves as a lecturer at an online university affiliated with the Baha’i community. It is important to mention that Baha’is face exclusion from tertiary education in Iran.

According to HRANA annual report, 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.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

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

 

Majid Tavakoli Sentenced to Six Years and Additional Punishments

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini, Majid Tavakoli, Mohammad-Reza Amoozad

In a recent development, former political prisoner Majid Tavakoli, who was detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional punishments.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, issued the verdict. Tavakoli was handed a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and a five-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to further restrictions, including a ban on engaging in online social activities for two years. Moreover, Tavakoli faces a two-year ban on residing in Tehran and a two-year ban on leaving the country.

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

The final court session addressing Tavakoli’s charges was held on July 15, 2023.

Tavakoli, a student activist and former political prisoner, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 23, 2022, during the Mahsa Amini Protests. He was subsequently released on bail on December 19, 2022.

Background on 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. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Minor Arrested by Security Forces in Oshnavieh

Posted on by . .
Children, News
Kurdpa, Mohsen Shabooie, Oshnavieh

Fourteen-year-old Mohsen Shabooie was apprehended by security forces in Oshnavieh, as reported by Kurdpa.

The agents carried out the arrest without presenting an arrest warrant, raising concerns about procedural irregularities.

The grounds for Mohsen Shabooie’s arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed at this time.

This incident adds to the alarming statistics of violations of children’s rights in Iran. According to the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran, 434 reports of children’s rights violations were recorded in 2022. Furthermore, during the nationwide protests of the same year, at least 167 minors were subjected to arrests, highlighting the vulnerability of young individuals caught in such situations.

Three Inmates Executed in Ghezel Hesar for Drug-Related Crimes

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar, Karaj, Moslem Havasizadeh, Qezel Hesar, Seyed Mansour Seyedi, Siamak Hayatbini

On July 18, 2023, three inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj.

The individuals identified by HRANA as Siamak Hayatbini, Moslem Havasizadeh, and Seyed Mansour Seyedi were transferred to solitary confinement a day before their executions.
Despite the gravity of the situation, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided official coverage of these executions.

It is worth noting that Iran has garnered international attention for its notorious record of executions, particularly for drug offenses.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Naser Balouch Arrested in Zahedan Following Makki Mosque Incident

Posted on by . .
News, Other
irgc, Makki Mosque, Molavi Abdolhamid, Naser Baluch, Zahedan

On July 17, Naser Balouch, a 24-year-old scholar at Makki Mosque, was apprehended by security forces in Zahedan, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Balouch, a resident of Qasr-e Qand in Sistan and Baluchestan province, was forcefully arrested by the agents in a street of Zahedan. The location of his detention and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.

It is worth noting that in recent days, several individuals have been detained in connection with the Makki Mosque incident. Security personnel at Makki Grand Mosque apprehended an individual who was allegedly tasked by the IRGC with carrying out a terrorist act involving the poisoning of Molavi Abdolhamid.

In response to this thwarted terror attempt, the provincial Chief Justice has urged the security personnel of Makki Grand Mosque to provide supporting evidence for these allegations. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

Eight People Sentenced to Combined 48 Years in Ahvaz

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Fayez Zahrouni, Hadi Jalali, Hossein Estedad, Hossein Farajollah Chaab, Musa Khaledi, Naser Shaye Mazraeh, Saeed Fakher-Nasab, Tofigh Falahieh

The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced eight people to a total of 48 years.

According to the latest rulings, Hossein Farajollah Chaab, Naser Shaye Mazraeh, Tofigh Falahieh, Fayez Zahrouni, Hossein Estedad, Saeed Fakher-Nasab, Hadi Jalali, and Musa Khaledi have each received a one-year prison sentence, five years of suspended imprisonment, and a two-year travel ban.

In May 2018, these individuals, alongside numerous others, were arrested by security forces following a one-week protest gathering. They were subsequently released on bail after a period of time.

Hossein Farajollah Chaab was detained once again in February 2021.

Political Prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz Receives Additional Eleven-Year Sentence While in Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Bandar-Anzali, Evin Prison, Mehdi Meskinnavaz, Tehran Revolutionary Court

In a new legal case opened against political prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz (Meskin-Navaz), the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed him an additional eleven-year sentence while he continues to serve his previous seven-and-a-half-year sentence in Evin Prison.

The recent verdict includes ten years for the charge of “forming a group to act against national security” and an extra year for “propaganda against the regime.” If upheld on appeal, the ten-year sentence for the first charge will be implemented. HRANA previously reported on this new legal case.

Meskinnavaz’s ordeal began on May 5, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces in Bandar Anzali for allegedly “running a Telegram channel advocating the overthrow of the regime.”
In August 2019, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Meskinnavaz to 13 years for charges including “assembly and collusion to act against national security, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he was stripped of political party and group membership rights and ordered to serve a two-year compulsory exile in Fahraj, Kerman. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he was liable to serve seven years and six months in prison for one of the charges.

Meskinnavaz, aged 43 and a father to a 17-year-old, continues to face an arduous journey within the judicial system.

Iranian Actor Mohammad Sadeghi Arrested in Tehran

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Actor, Mohammad Sadeghi, Tehran

On Sunday, July 16, renowned theater and television actor Mohammad Sadeghi was apprehended at his residence in Tehran by security forces, as confirmed by Tasnim News Agency. The exact location of his detention remains undisclosed.

Sources indicate that Sadeghi was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence. According to reports, there was an alleged incident where he contemplated jumping from the third floor in an apparent bid to escape but ultimately abandoned the idea upon the arrival of firefighters and judicial officials at the scene.

Yesterday, Sadeghi took to social media to inform the public about the raid conducted by security forces at his residence. While some media outlets within Iran have suggested that his arrest is linked to allegations of “wearing women’s apparel, makeup, and inciting people to engage in illegal activities,” the precise grounds for his detention are yet to be officially disclosed.

At present, the location where Sadeghi is being held and the nature of the charges against him remain unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his arrest.

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Arrested and Detained in Tehran

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Fariba Fereydooni, irgc, Khomeyn, Majid Rezaie, Markazi Province, Tehran

On July 15, civil rights activist Majid Rezaie was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Rezaie, he is currently being held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison, where he will serve a nine-month sentence.

Previously, on May 22, Rezaie received a summons from the Judgement Enforcement Unit in Tehran to initiate his sentence.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court initially imposed a one-year sentence, which was later reduced to nine months after Rezaie entered a plea of no contest. Additionally, he has been sentenced to four hours of daily penal labor for the Tehran Municipality over a three-month period. Furthermore, he is required to attend a course conducted by the Institute of Psychology Ma’avaye e Qom, purportedly aimed at “enhancing emotional regulation.”

On July 23, 2020, Rezaie and his wife, Fariba Fereydooni, were arrested by agents of the IRGC in Khomeyn County, Markazi Province. He was released on bail after 21 days of detention.