Author: A MN

At Least Six Inmates Executed in Rajai Shahr Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Amin Safari, executions, Mohammad Bavi, Peyman Mousavi, Rajai Shahr Prison, Secret executions, Shahin Allah-Moradi

On January 12, at least six inmates were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison. All of the prisoners executed had been sentenced to death for murder.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Wednesday morning, two of these executed prisoners as Shahin Allah-Moradi and Mohammad Bavi. The Iran Human Rights Organization has also identified two other inmates as Amin Safari and Peyman Mousavi.

Three other inmates on death row were transferred to solitary confinement to await their execution, but were able to get a moratorium from the blood avenger (a member of the victim’s family). Also on January 12, Rahborde Moaser News Outlet reported the execution of an inmate in Rajai Shahr Prison. Reportedly, he was a guard at Imam Sadiq University who was accused of killing one of the university managers. The report did not reveal the identity of the executed inmate.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Baha’i Poet Natoli Derakhshan Arrested in Sari City

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Baha'i arrest, Bahai, Freedom of religion, Natoli Derkshan, Religious persecution

On January 11, Natoli Derkshan, a poet and Baha’i citizen, was arrested by intelligence agents at his home in Sari City and transferred to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Derkshan has faced other arrests before. The reasons for this arrest, the charges against him and his whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, 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.

Inmate Still On Death Row After 27 Years Requests Execution

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
A. Mousavi, blood money, Death row, inmate held on death row, Khorramadad

In Khorramabad Prison, an inmate on death row after being convicted for murder has been held for 27 years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Etemad Newspaper, the inmate, identified as A. Mousavi, has been waiting at the crossroads of forgiveness and execution.

The following is from Mousavi himself: “I told the blood avenger (a member of the victim’s family) that I do not have any money to pay as a blood price, so I came here to let them hang me. [The family member] told me that he doesn’t want an execution; he needs money.”

Mousavi explains that the murder came from a conflict with a colleague: “In a quarrel about money, one of our business partners was killed. Four of us were sentenced to ten years and death and I was the second-row defendant in this criminal case.”

“15 years ago, the other three convicted inmates were freed by paying the blood money and appeasing the victim’s family. One paid 36 million [tomans] (8,568 USD), the other 4 million (952 USD) and the third one with 11 million tomans (2,618 USD). I did not have anyone to try to appease the family on my behalf. In 2016, they let me go to the door of the victims family to try. They asked me for 70 million (16,660 USD). Since I did not have any money, I stayed in prison. Last year, I asked again and this time they asked for 800 million (190,400 USD). The head of the prison could convince them to accept half of this amount. But I am still short of that amount. The price goes up every year with inflation… I am poor as a church mouse. I have nothing to pay and my execution is still on schedule. I told the blood avenger that I do not have any money to pay as a blood price, so let them hang me. He told me that he doesn’t want execution, he needs money. But I am exhausted. I can’t take this jail anymore,” he added.

Three Inmates Executed in Zanjan and Qazvin Prisons

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
executions, Farhang and Yaser Ali Elahi, Farhang Elahi, Mohammad Rasool Baghadam, Secret executions, Yaser Ali Elahi, Zanjan Central Prison

On January 11, two inmates previously convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Zanjan Central Prison. Last Sunday, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Qazvin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Human Rights Organization, the two inmates executed in Zanjan were identified as two brothers, Farhang and Yaser Ali Elahi, aged 35 and 32 years old respectively. The brothers were imprisoned for five years and sentenced to death for drug-related crimes. Additionally, last Sunday, an inmate identified as Mohammad Rasool Baghadam was executed in Qazvin Prison.

“In 2018, Mohammad Rasool Baghadam was arrested for killing a construction worker and sentenced to death in 2019. He was a chandelier maker and committed murder for financial reasons,” an informed source reported.

At the time of writing, no official sources and media outlets inside the country have reported these executions.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Baha’i Citizen Saba Sefidi Arrested In Tehran

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, persecution of baha'is, persecutions of religious minorities, Religious persecution, Saba Sefidi, Skylar Thompson

On January 11, Baha’i citizen Saba Sefidi, resident of Tehran, was arrested after an appearance at Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the reason for Sefidi’s arrest and the charges against her are still unknown at the time of writing.

Regarding the prosecution and harassment of Baha’is by Iran’s regime, HRA Senior Advocacy Coordinator Skylar Thompson stated that HRA strongly condemned these discriminatory acts against religious minorities in Iran. She asked that the regime take action to ensure Iranian people, and particularly Baha’i citizens, are entitled to the freedom of religion and can perform religious acts freely.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, 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.

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Fariba Asadi Arrested and Sent to Qarchak Prison to Serve One Year Sentence

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Fariba Asadi, Masoud Vazifeh, Mehran Delfan-Azari, Meysam Gholami, Varamin

On January 10, Fariba Asadi, resident of Tehran, was arrested at home and transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin City to serve her sentence. She has been sentenced to one year in prison by Shahriar’s Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Asadi was arrested by security forces in February 2021, along with Mehran Delfan Azari, Meysam Gholami and Masoud Vazifeh. They were arrested on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in an anti-regime group”

On October 2, 2021, Branch 2 of Shriar’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Vazifeh to six months on the charge of “abetting in propaganda against the regime” and the three others to one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

From them, Asadi was released on bail. The other three were sent to Greater Tehran Prison at the end of legal proceedings. Perviously, Masoud Vazifeh and Meysam Gholami were released from jail after completing their sentences.

Verdict Against Hamed Mortazavi Upheld by the Court of Appeals

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Bebhaban City, Hamed Mortazavi, Mahshahr City, Mohsen Qara’ati

Branch 17 of the Court of Appeals of Khuzestan Province upheld the verdict against Hamed Mortazavi, who was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr City to four years and six months in prison and a ban from leaving the country.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the resident of Bebhaban City received eight months for the charge of “propaganda against the regime”, one year and forty days for the charge of “offensive statements against the former and current supreme leader of Iran”, and two years and seven and half months for the charge of “membership in groups and gathering of more than two people in intention to disturb national security”. Moreover, he has been banned from leaving the country for two years and is required to study a book of Mohsen Qara’ati (an Iranian Shia cleric) within six months and pass an exam on it.

From these charges, ground in Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment namely two years and seven and half months for the third charge is enforceable. In the initial trial, he was acquitted on the count of “blasphemy”.

On October 31, 2017, intelligence agents arrested and transferred him to a detention centre at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence in Behbahan City. The next day, he was sent to Behbahan Prison. It is said that during interrogation, he was subjected to torture and beating. After a while, he was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

Shadi Gilak Sent to Evin Prison to Serve One Year Sentence

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Johari, Moghaddas Courthouse, Shadi Gilak

On January 8, Shadi Gilak, wife of imprisoned worker’s rights activist Arash Johari, was sent to Evin Prison to serve a one year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 8, Shadi Gilak, a resident of Tehran, was jailed in Evin Prison. He had been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”.

She had been summoned to appear at the Executive Unit of Moghaddas Courthouse to be arrested and serve her conviction.

Gilak is the wife of Arash Johari, the worker’s rights activist who is currently spending his conviction in Evin Prison.

Civil Activist Yashar Tabrizi Arrested By Security Forces in Tehran

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Gholizadeh (Yashar Tabrizi), Robat-Karim, Yashar Tabrizi

On January 8, civil activist Yashar Tabrizi was arrested by security police agents and transferred to Robat-Karim Detention Center. Earlier on that day, he had published a post on social media from his visit to the Ukraine plane crash site in memorial of the victims.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Tabrizi has faced other arrests by security forces. On April 7, 2021, he was arrested for one day in Isfahan along with some victims’ families of the crashed Ukrainian plane as well as other civil activists.

An informed source told HRANA that, “at 7 A.M., Mr Tabrizi called his family and told them that he was detained in the detention centre in Robat-Karim. He was arrested by the order of the prosecutor and would be released after a few hours. At 11 a.m., his wife went to Robat-Karim Detention Center and they confirmed that he was there”.

On 8 January 2020, Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down by IRGC’s missile shortly after takeoff from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. After a few days of covering up the cause of this incident, the regime admitted that the plane was hit by a missile shot from an anti-missile defense base. Since then, the victims’ families have been demanding the trial of perpetrators of this incident.

Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sentenced to Death Penalty By the Revolutionary Court

Posted on by A MN
Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Death sentence, Mohammad Javad Vafaei

Political activist, Mohammad Javad Vafaei was sentenced to death by Mashhad’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth”.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Vafaei to death.

His lawyer Babak Paknia stated that according to the indictment letter, his client has been charged with “spreading corruption on earth through destruction of government property.”

Vafaei, 26 years old and a boxing coach was arrested in March of 2020 by security forces in Mashhad city.

Earlier, he was granted a high bail which he could not afford to provide and hence has been in jail since the arrest.