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Babak Karimi Receives Nine-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Karimi, Eyvan Gharb, Ilam, Kurdpa

Babak Karimi, a resident of Eyvan Gharb, has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Ilam Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa. Karimi was apprehended during the nationwide protests of 2022.

According to the verdict, Karimi has been given five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and two years for “insulting the former Supreme Leader of Iran.”

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, the five-year sentence for the first charge will be enforced. Karimi was arrested by security forces on September 21, 2022, in Eyvan Gharb, Ilam province. He was released on February 6, 2023, after posting a two-billion-toman bail from Ilam Prison.

Sentences Reduced for Two Azerbaijani (Turk) Activists to One Year Imprisonment and Fine

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Maragheh, Mir-Mousavi Zia Gargari, Mokhtar Ebrahimi, Naqadeh

Mokhtar Ebrahimi and Mir-Mousavi Zia Gargari, two Azerbaijani (Turk) activists, have had their sentences reduced on appeal to one year in prison and a fine, respectively. Initially, they had received a combined sentence of 11 years.

As per the East Azerbaijan Court of Appeals’ verdict, Ebrahimi was sentenced to one year for “propaganda against the regime,” while Zia Gargari was fined six million Toman.

In 2021, Ebrahimi had been sentenced to ten years for “forming groups against the regime” and “membership in anti-regime groups” by the Maragheh Court. Zia Gargari had also received a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime.”

Ebrahimi was arrested by security forces on August 26, 2020, and subsequently incarcerated in Maragheh Prison after 21 days. He was later released on bail.

On September 16, 2020, Zia Gargari was arrested at his residence in Naqadeh by security forces and detained in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. He was released on bail from Maragheh Prison on October 7, 2020.

Three Inmates Executed for Drug-Related Crimes in Central Prison of Karaj

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Executions, News
Central Prison of Karaj, Farshad Abdoli, Mojtaba Chegeni

On July 2, 2023, three inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed at the Central Prison of Karaj.

HRANA has identified two of these inmates as Farshad Abdoli and Mojtaba Chegeni. Both individuals had previously received death sentences for drug offenses.
At 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.

Mojtaba Chegeni
                           Mojtaba Chegeni

 

 

Trial Begins for Hip-Hop Singer Toomaj Salehi at Isfahan Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Isfahan, Morteza Barati, Toomaj Salehi

The Isfahan Revolutionary Court’s Branch 1 commenced the court session for the charges against Toomaj Salehi on July 2, 2023.

Presided over by Judge Morteza Barati, the court proceedings included the presence of Salehi’s attorney, Amir Raisian, who represented his client.

According to Raisian, who spoke to Shargh Newspaper, Salehi has been charged with “spreading corruption on earth,” “propaganda against the regime,” “inciting people to wage war,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

A reliable source earlier revealed that Salehi sustained injuries to his right foot and eye as a result of beatings during the interrogation. He continues to suffer from these injuries.

In late October 2022, Salehi was arrested by security forces. Official media claimed that he was apprehended while attempting to leave the country illegally, a claim refuted by individuals close to Salehi.

The protest singer has a previous conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined. The imprisonment was suspended for one year.

Golrokh Iraee’s Sentence Reduced to Five Years on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, golrokh iraee, Tehran

Golrokh Iraee, a former political prisoner, has had her sentence reduced to five years by the Tehran Court of Appeals. Initially, she had been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The court handed down this verdict in response to charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “disturbing public order.” In addition to the prison term, Iraee has also been prohibited from joining political and civil groups, restricted from staying in Tehran, barred from leaving the country for two years, and had her cell phone confiscated.

The court session took place on June 18, 2023.

Iraee was violently arrested by security forces at her residence in Tehran on September 26, 2022. After being held in multiple detention facilities, she was eventually imprisoned in Evin Prison on October 30, 2022. In April 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to seven years and additional punishments.

It is noteworthy that Iraee has faced previous arrests and convictions on multiple occasions.

 

 

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Former Political Prisoner Milad Arsanjani Arrested Once Again

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Milad Arsanjani

On July 2, 2023, Milad Arsanjani, a former political prisoner who had previously been detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, was once again apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source who spoke to HRANA, Arsanjani was arrested at his father’s residence. The specific reasons for his arrest have not yet been disclosed.

Arsanjani had previously been arrested in September 2022 during the nationwide protests and subsequently imprisoned in Evin Prison. From January 9 to 12, 2023, he was temporarily transferred to a Police Criminal Investigation Department detention facility. This political prisoner was later released from Evin Prison under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

It is worth noting that Arsanjani has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism.

Political Activist Abolfazl Ghadyani Receives Ten-Month Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Ghadyani, Iranian Political Activist, Kaleme, Tehran

Political Activist Abolfazl Ghadyani was recently sentenced to ten months by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, according to Kaleme News Outlet. Ghadyani is also currently facing another legal case and has been summoned in relation to it.

Ghadyani’s ten-month sentence was given on grounds of “propaganda against the regime,” while the Criminal Court has additionally indicted him for “spreading falsehood on the Internet.”

It’s worth noting that he has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

 

Update on Zohreh Sarve’s Health Condition in Evin Prison

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

Political prisoner Zohreh Sarv is serving her six-year sentence in Evin Prison. Zohreh Sarve’s medical condition in Evin Prison has raised concerns, as reported by a reliable source who spoke to HRANA.

She is currently suffering from knee injuries and potential breast cysts, requiring medical treatment such as sonography and MRI tests. Despite the approval of the head of the prison infirmary, prison officials have denied her request to be transported to a hospital for the necessary treatments.

In September 2021, Sarve was arrested by security forces and initially held in IRGC ward A-1. Following the conclusion of the interrogation process, she was transferred to Evin Prison after one month.

Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a seven-year sentence for Sarve, charging her with “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The prison term is enforceable for a duration of 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.

 

Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Sentecned to Five Years and Eight Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, Tehran, workers' rights activists

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld a five-year and eight-month sentence against Anisha Asadollahi, according to a report from the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years of the imposed sentence.

In May 2023, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 in the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a five-year sentence to Asadollahi for “assembly and collusion against national security,” along with an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were arrested at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. However, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is worth noting that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

Baha’i Couple Faces Nine-Year and Six-Month Combined Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Samieian, Baha'i citizens, Bahais faith, HRANA, Iranian Bahais, Rasht, Vesal Momtazi

Vesal Momtazi and Anisa Samieian, a Baha’i couple, have been collectively sentenced to a nine-year and six-month prison term by the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to the verdict issued on June 13 by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, Mrs. Samieian received a sentence of seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” along with three years and six months for “engaging in educational activities and propaganda against Sharia law.” Meanwhile, Mr. Momtazi has been sentenced to seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” one year and three months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and three years and six months for “insulting Sharia law.” In addition, he has been fined 38 million tomans. Both individuals are also subjected to social deprivations for a period of ten years. If these verdicts are upheld on appeal, each of them will serve three years and six months in prison.

On November 4, 2022, security forces conducted a search of their residence, resulting in their arrest. Mr. Momtazi was released on bail after his arrest on December 6, 2022. Mrs. Samieian, who was pregnant at the time, was granted release on bail following two interrogation sessions. It is important to note that this Baha’i couple has two young sons, aged five and three months.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the breach 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.