Author: A MN

Political Prisoners Beaten After Being Held in Ward for Inmates Convicted of Violent Crimes

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Akbar Bagheri, Akbar Faraji, Branch 36, Greater Tehran Penitentiary, Greater Tehran Prison, Ismail Gerami, Pouya Ghobadi, Shapur Ehsani-rad, tehran prison

On Friday, October 8, in Greater Tehran Prison, a number of political prisoners were beaten by fellow inmates convicted of violent crimes.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, contrary to the laws of the prison, these political prisoners are being housed in the same ward as the prisoners of violent crimes.

In the incident, Shapur Ehsani-rad, Pouya Ghobadi, Ismail Gerami, Akbar Bagheri and Akbar Faraji were injured and a few were hospitalized.

The political prisoners held in this ward had already complained and asked the prison officials to relocate them to other wards.

Workers’ rights activist, Shapur Ehsani-rad is serving his six-year sentence. Despite poor health condition and backache, he has been denied furlough for medical treatment.

Political prisoner, Pouya Ghobadi is serving his five-year sentence. In August of this year, the trial addressing the second part of his for the charge of ” enmity against God” was held.

Recently, in the court of appeal, workers’ rights activists Ismail Gerami was sentenced to five years imprisonment and flogging of 74 laches and paying a 20-million fine.

In 2018, Akbar Bagheri was sentenced to a nine-year imprisonment. The court of appeals upheld the verdict without making any changes.

On February 10, 2019, Akbar Faraji was arrested by security forces for online political activities and sentenced to six years imprisonment by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. This verdict was upheld by Branch of 36 of Appellate Court. On September 6, 2020, he was arrested to serve his term in Greater Tehran Prison.

 

Four Inmates Executed in Yazd and Kermanshah Central Prisons

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Citizens executed, Death sentence, Drug-related charges, Ghassameh, Hossein and Ramin Dadkhah, Hossein Dadkhah, Ismail Soltan-Abadi, Kermanshah Central Prison, Kermanshah province, Ramin Dadkhah, Yazd central prison

Four inmates were recently executed in Yazd and Kermanshah Central Prisons. None of these executions have been announced by official sources in Iran as of this writing.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, October 10, two inmates who had previously been convicted for drug-related offenses were executed in Yazd Central prison. The prisoners have been identified as father and son, Hossein and Ramin Dadkhah. They were executed after five years of imprisonment.

Similarly, on Friday, October 8, two inmates, convicted on charges of murder, were executed in Kermanshah Central Prison. One of these inmates, Ismail Soltan-Abadi, had been convicted in the oath ceremony. He was executed after 23 imprisonments, without the notification of his family and hence was deprived of the chance for a final visitation.

Oath ceremony (Ghassameh), whereby the conviction is grounded merely on the swearing of accusers and their relatives (who don’t need to be eyewitnesses) stands in violation of the right to have a fair trial. According to the Islamic penal code, in case of lack of compelling evidence, the judge may hold this ceremony wherein the swearing of 50 people for premeditated murder and 25 people for quasi- premeditated murder will be enough to verdict the accused guilty.

The other inmate, Afshar Fathi, 28 years old, was executed after four years imprisonment on the charge of murder.

Iran ranks first in the world in executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

 

Soheil Arabi and Behnam Moosivand Refuse to Appear in Court

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Behnam Moosivand, Evin, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, Rajai-Shahr, Soheil Arabi, Valiollah Mumammadi

On Wednesday, October 6,  prisoner of conscience Soheil Arabi and political prisoner Behnam Moosivand refused to appear on the court holding for the unjustified new cases opened against them during their imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the deputy head of Rajai Shahr Prison Valiollah Muhammadi threatened them with a beating following their refusal.

“Disturbing prison order” and ” offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran” have been listed as among the new charges. According to an informed source, on the same day, these two prisoners were interrogated online.

While serving out the seven and a half year sentence, Soheil Arabi has been convicted on the charges of two new cases.

In the first new case, On May 24, 2021, he was indicted on the charge of “agitation against the regime and Disturbing public opinions” via a video conference by Branch 3 of the Evin Investigation Office.

In the second new case, Soheil Arabi was condemned to 2 years imprisonment, paying a fine, and a ban from leaving the country and once every three times appearance at the Supervision and Follow-up office of Judiciary by Branch 26 of Tehran’s revolutionary court. His court session to address these charges was held on July 28.

Since November 7, 2013, he has been held in detention as well as prison and has never been granted leave.

On February 1, 2018, the intelligence officials raided Behnam Moosivand’s home and transferred him to the detention facility of the intelligence ministry in Evin Prison, known as section 209. He was released on bail on March 19, 2018.

Thereafter, in September 2019, branch 28 of Tehran’s revolutionary court sentenced him to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion in the purpose of acting against national security, and to one year on a charge of “agitation against the regime”. The verdict was upheld at appeal. On June 14, 2020, he appeared at the executive branch of Evin Prison to serve his six-year sentence.

Homes Demolished and Citizens Mistreated by Municipal Agents in Zahedan

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
destruction of property, Iran infrastructure, property condemned, property destruction, residence destroyed, Zahedan, Zahedan Municipal agents, Zahedan municipality

On Tuesday, October 5, on the outskirts of Zahedan, municipal agents demolished another home, leaving an entire family without shelter.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the destroyed home is one of several like it that the municipality claims has been built on non-residential premises, despite clear preliminary real estate contracts to the contrary. One of the officials involved reportedly claimed that the municipality was permitted by a judicial order to demolish these houses.

“Four municipal agents demolished our only shelter,” a woman says in a video that was posted on social media following the incident. “They threw me down to the ground and forced my husband to get into their car. This home was my only shelter. From all these houses in the city, why did they demolish my home? We built this house hardly and we couldn’t afford even to finish the walls…It is not fair that I have to become homeless.”

“If these pieces of land do not have any legal document, why do they let the real estate’s sell these houses?” another citizen asked. “Why the officials don’t do their job properly so that people don’t fall into the mistake to purchase these houses. Why don’t they prevent people from construction in the first place? Unfortunately, it is their mismanagement that gets us into trouble.”

An urban expert also commented on the event, suggesting an ulterior incentive for authorities to “condemn” such residences.

“Province officials have to hinder those who in some ways grab these great pieces of land,” the expert said. “They claim ownership of these lands by fencing and sell the parcels illegally to poor people for low prices.”

Three workers, Including a Child, Killed in Zahedan Due to Unsafe Conditions; One Worker Injured in Shiraz

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Baloch, Ghanbarzehi, Musa Ghanbarzehi, Naser Ghanbarzahi, Rokna, working conditions, workplace safety, Zahedan

In recent days, in Zahedan, three workers, including a child, died in a work accident. In Shiraz, one additional worker was injured. Iran ranks 102nd in workplace safety out of 189 countries.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna, on Thursday, October 7, a worker was injured severely at the workplace. A young worker’s hand stuck between a trolley and wall lift while moving items to the top floor of the store. After firefighters freed his hand, the emergency response team transferred him to the hospital.

According to Baloch Campaign, In Zahedan, on Tuesday, October 5, three workers, one of whom was a minor, lost their lives while digging a well due to falling well walls.

Two of these workers have been identified as  16-year-old Naser Ghanbarzehi and Musa Ghanbarzehi.

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Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni Being Denied Medical Treatment in Evin Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Boroujeni, Branch 2, Evin, Evin Prison, Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni, medical negligence, Mohammad Moghiseh, Morujeni, Porsesh Publishing Company, Tehran

Imprisoned writer and journalist Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni has been denied access to medical treatment by prison authorities despite his poor health condition.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Boroujeni is currently enduring a five-year sentence in Evin Prison in Tehran.

“It is been over a month that he (has been) experiencing a poor health condition,” an informed source told HRANA. “He went several times to prison healthcare (for treatment), but he has not received any adequate treatment despite having body aches, insomnia, dizziness and nausea.”

Khosro Sadeghi Boroujeni was arrested and interrogated after being summoned to the Branch 2 of Evin’s prosecutor’s office on May 8, 2019. He was later temporarily released from Evin Prison on a bail of 300 million tomans.

Boroujeni’s trial was on July 28, 2019. According to the verdict ordered by the Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, which was presided over by judge Mohammad Moghiseh, Boroujeni was sentenced to five years imprisonment on a charge of “assembly and collusion with an intention to commit a crime against the national security”, one year of prison for the charge of “propaganda against the regime”,  and to two years imprisonment on a charge of “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic”, adding up to a total of eight years imprisonment. This sentence was later reduced to seven years after the charge of “propaganda against the regime” was dropped upon appeal.

Boroujeni has been conducting research on neoliberalism and the political economy of Iran and has written several articles on these subjects in recent years. His essay “Critique of Neoliberalism” was published by H&S Media Publishing Company in the UK. His other book “Globalization and Inequality” was published by Porsesh Publishing Company in 2011.

Khaled Pirzadeh Still on Hunger Strike Despite Critical Health Condition

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Ali Sharif-Zadeh, Evin Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Hunger Strike, Khaled Pirzadeh, Pirzadeh, Pirzadeh hunger strike, Sheyban Prison

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in-exile political prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh is still on hunger strike after 46 days in Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.

His health condition is unstable and he endures low blood pressure and blood sugar. He is also denied the right to have a phone call to contact his family.

Since August 23, 2021, this political prisoner has been on hunger strike in protest against declining his request for the release on probation, the housing of political prisoners in the same ward with prisoners of violent crimes, and police officers’ brutal behaviour towards his family members during the delivery of eviction order.

Expressing his deep concern about Pirzadeh’s condition, the lawyer Ali Sharif-Zadeh asked the authorities to agree on this political prisoner’s release on probation.

“His family informed that he is denied any access to a phone call and he is enduring critically low blood pressure and blood sugar. His life is in jeopardy,” Sharif-Zadeh tweeted.

On May 26, 2019, Khaled Pirzadeh was arrested violently by security forces and after ending the interrogation process, he was sent to Evin Prison. He was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment on the charges of “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran” and “assembly and collusion against the regime”. This sentence was confirmed in the court of appeals. According to article 134 of the Islamic penal code, 5 years of this sentence for the charge of “collusion against the regime” is enforceable.

He was relocated to Greater Tehran Prison on July 22, 2020. Reportedly, at the time of transferring, he was beaten by prison guards. In August 2020, he had surgery on his foot. Moreover, he needs additional treatment and surgery for his injured spine. On July 14, 2021, they transferred him from Greater Tehran prison to exile to Sheyban prison in Ahvaz and held him unlawfully in the ward where the prisoners of violent crimes were housed.

 

Babak Dadbakhsh Asks Prosecutor-General for Re-Examination of His Case

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners, Uncategorized
ardabil prison, Babak, Babak Dadbakhsh, Dadbaksh, Ministry of Intelligence, Moharebej, NAJA, Varamin

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activist, political prisoner Babak Dadbakhsh, who is currently being held in Ardabil Prison, recently wrote a letter to the Prosecutor General of Iran asking that his case be re-examined.

In regard to the way his trial was conducted, Dadbakhsh wrote, “Just to receive the verdict letter, I accepted not to appeal. However, after three years, I don’t have any indictment letter to know on what charges and based on what evidences I have been condemned. No one responds to me.”

In part of this letter received to HRANA, Babak Dadbakhsh writes, “The prosecutor-general! I am writing to you as a victim of injustice, a prisoner who has been tortured and sentenced to 25 years without having a trial. Just to receive the verdict letter, I accepted not to appeal. However, after three years, I don’t have any indictment letter to know on what charges and based on what evidences I have been condemned. No one responds to me. I hope that the law does not close its eyes and give me my legal right. I have been convicted within one minute without having an attorney. I request re-examining my case, receiving the indictment letter and using retrial. While I’m suffering stress, as forensic medicine and coroners have diagnosed, I am waiting for justice.”

In November 2017, Babak Dadbakhsh was arrested by security police of NAJA and handed to the Ministry of intelligence officials. Since then, he has been spending in various detention facilities and prisons.  He was once hospitalized in Razi Educational and Therapeutic Psychiatric Center.

In February 2020, he was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment on the charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “enmity against God” (Moharebeh). However, in April 2021, on the excuse that not all charges have been considered, his sentence was prolonged to 25 years.

It is said that he is suffering from MDD, bipolar disorder and psychotic symptoms based on the diagnosis of Razi Educational and Therapeutic Psychiatric Center.

Mojgan Keshavarz Granted Leave on Bail from Qarchak Prison in Varamin

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Branch 38, Evin Prison, Mojgan, Mojgan Keshavarz, Qarchak, Qarchak Prison, Section 2A, Tehran, Varamin, Women's Ward of Evin Prison

On Wednesday, October 6, civil activist Mojgan Keshavarz was granted a five-day leave on bail from prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Keshavarz is serving out her five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

On April 25, 2019, intelligence forces raided Keshavarz’s home and arrested her. She was under interrogation in the detention facility of the intelligence unit of the Revolutionary Guards, known as the 2A section of Evin Prison, until May 1, and then transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. She was relocated to Evin prison on August 12, 2020, and sent back again to Qarchak Prison on December 5, 2020.

Branch 28 of the revolutionary court in Tehran sentenced the civil activist to a total of 22 years in prison. She received 5 years on a charge of “assembly and collusion in the purpose of acting against national security”, 10 years on a charge of “provoking and provision of impurity and indecency”, and 7 years and six months on a charge of ” blasphemy”.  Later the sentence was reduced to 12 years and 7 months on appeal.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest enforceable punishment for the charge of ” provoking and provision of impurity and indecency ” is five and half years imprisonment.

Mojgan Keshavarz is 38 years old and a mother of a ten-year-old daughter.

Sentence Alternatives to Prison, Such as Purchasing Supplies for Under-Equipped Schools, Introduced in Urmia

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News, Other, Uncategorized
alternative sentencing, Branch 119, Islamic Law, Islamic penal code, Kagar Online, restorative sentencing, Sharia law, Urmia, Urmia prison

The head of Branch 119 of the Criminal Court of Urmia recently announced that the county’s criminal justice system is introducing a number of sentence alternatives to prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kargar Online, the judicial official has sentenced several men to purchase educational supplies internet packages and cell phones for school children in poor areas instead of serving time.

It is worth mentioning that Chapter 9 of the new enactment of the Islamic penal code has also highlighted similar alternative sentences.

Accordingly, under certain conditions and with the defendant’s consent, judges may enact these kinds of alternative sentences.