Category: Freedom of Expression

Nirvana Torbati-Nejad Receives Ten-Month Sentence and Fine for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golestan province, Gorgan, Nirvana Torbati-Nejad

Gorgan’s Criminal Court has recently issued a ten-month prison sentence and a fine to Nirvana Torbati-Nejad on political charges.

The verdict, delivered by Judge Abedi, was communicated to her lawyer, Haji Mashhadi, on January 6.

Torbati-Nejad has been convicted of “membership in anti-regime activities aimed at undermining national security,” resulting in a ten-month prison term. Additionally, she has been fined for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The events leading to her legal troubles trace back to September 10, 2023, when security forces apprehended Torbati-Nejad at her workplace. After spending 25 days in detention, she was released on bond.

Azad Peikarifar Receives Prison Sentence and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azad Peikarifar, Judge Iman Afshari, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Political defendant Azad Peikarifar has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to six years in prison and two years of exile.

Presiding over Branch 26, Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, attributing five years to “assembly and collusion to commit crime” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, Peikarifar was handed a two-year prison sentence.

If the verdict stands upon appeal, as outlined in Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial five-year prison term for the first count will be enforceable.

Peikarifar, arrested by security forces on November 13, 2023, is currently held in Evin Prison.

 

Two Individuals Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Fazeli, Farhad Omidi, Iman Afshari, irgc, Zaman Esmaeili

In a recent verdict, the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down sentences to Alireza Fazeli (Farhad Omidi) and Zaman (Arash) Esmaeili, totaling 12 years and three months, coupled with four years of exile.

Presiding over Branch 26, Judge Iman Afshari ruled for a six-year sentence for Fazeli and a six-year and three-month sentence for Esmaeili. Both individuals have also been sentenced to two years of exile. They have been convicted of political charges including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Esmaeili was apprehended by security forces on September 15, 2023, and later transferred to Evin Prison after initial detention in IRGC’s facility 1-A. On the following day, Fazeli, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces and confined in Evin Prison. Fazeli has a history of arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

 

Zeinab Khenyab Pour Sentenced to Two Years for Publishing Photo without Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
ahvaz, Bahar Khenyab Pour, Behbahan, Mahshahr, Sepidar Prison, Zeinab Khenyab Pour

The Behbahan Criminal Court has issued a two-year prison sentence to Zeinab (Bahar) Khenyab Pour, a resident of Behbahan, for the publication of photos without hijab.

The announcement of this verdict was made by Sajjad Chatr Sefid, Khenyab Pour’s legal representative. The court session addressing her charges took place on October 9, 2023.

In a separate legal development overseen by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, Khenyab Pour had previously received a three-month sentence.

On December 5, 2022, Khenyab Pour’s garment shop was closed following her participation in a general strike in support of nationwide protests. In response to the closure, she sought clarification from judicial authorities and was subsequently detained for six days in Sepidar Prison, located in Ahvaz.

Navid-Reza Haratian Arrested by Security Forces in Mahshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mahshahr, Navid-Reza Haratian

Security forces detained Navid-Reza Haratian in Mahshahr and transported him to an undisclosed facility on December 31.

A source close to his family, confirming Haratian’s arrest, informed HRANA that IRGC Intelligence agents apprehended him at his residence. Haratian has not been granted permission to contact his family, heightening their anxieties.

The grounds for this arrest and Haratian’s current location remain unknown.

Data compiled by the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reveals that IRGC Intelligence has been implicated in 392 cases of human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests.

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Journalist Hassan Abbasi Arrested in Bandar Abbas

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, Hassan Abbasi, Tabnak

On January 2, 2024, security forces apprehended journalist Hassan Abbasi in Bandar Abbas and took him to an undisclosed location.

Abbasi’s current location and the specific charges against him remain undisclosed at this time. Notably, he has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations related to his journalistic activities.

Hassan Abbasi serves as an editorial member of Tabnak News Outlet and is affiliated with the Association of Iranian Journalists in Tehran Province.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Mahnaz Tarah Sentenced to Four Years and Four Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Mahnaz Tarah, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a four-year, four-month prison sentence to Mahnaz Tarah on political charges.

Iman Afshari, presiding over Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, delivered a three-year and eight-month sentence for “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

Pending appeal, if the verdict is upheld, the enforceable prison term will be three years and eight months, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Security forces arrested Tarah on November 13, 2023, on a Tehran street. Following an 11-day detention in the Ministry of Intelligence’s Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was subsequently transferred to the Public Ward of the same prison.

Tarah has a history of previous encounters with security and judicial confrontations.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

 

Judo Coach Kaveh Amiri Arrested in Shahriar

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, judo coach, Kaveh Amiri, Shahriar

On January 2, 2024, Kaveh Amiri was apprehended by security forces after his appearance at the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar.

A source close to his family verified Amiri’s arrest following his court appearance. Post-arrest, agents reportedly conducted searches at both his residence and his mother’s house.

The precise location of his current detention remains undisclosed.

Amiri’s initial arrest occurred on September 10 of the same year, after a summons and interrogation by the Security Police of Shahriar County. Within 24 hours, he was transferred to Evin Prison and subsequently released on bail on September 13.

Following legal proceedings, Amiri was later sentenced to eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” a verdict that withstood appeal.

At 39 years old, Amiri is a judo coach and resident of Shahriar. The circumstances surrounding his recent arrest and the charges brought against him remain a cause for concern.

Physician Mohammad Shoja Arrested for Publishing a Photo of Food

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, Mohammad Shoja, Sayyed Razi Mousavi

Mohammad Shoja, a physician and pediatric heart specialist, has been apprehended by security forces in Bojnurd for sharing a picture of Cutlet (côtelette) food, which the regime authorities deemed insulting and blasphemous.

The incident unfolded in the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike in Syria that claimed the life of IRGC top commander Sayyed Razi Mousavi. Shoja’s social media post featuring the Cutlet was considered by the Bojnurd Prosecutor as an offensive reaction to Mousavi’s death.

“If charges are proven, Shoja will face the severest punishment,” declared the prosecutor. As of now, the precise location of Shoja’s detention remains undisclosed.

This arrest reflects a broader trend in Iran, where judicial authorities routinely prosecute citizens for their social media content, imposing stringent restrictions on freedom of expression. It raises concerns about the limitations placed on individuals to express their views openly in the digital space.

Mohammadi Brothers Detained in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ebrahim Mohammadi, HRANA, Morteza Mohammadi, Sanandaj

On January 1, 2024, the Ministry of Intelligence apprehended Morteza and Ebrahim Mohammadi, residing in Sanandaj, and subsequently transported them to an undisclosed location.

Confirmation of their arrest came from a source closely connected to their family who disclosed to HRANA that on Monday, January 1, Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Morteza Mohammadi at his residence in Hassan Abad village in Sanandaj County. Ebrahim Mohammadi faced arrest by security forces after presenting himself at the Investigation Office of Sanandaj Revolutionary Court to inquire about his brother.

“The agents forcibly entered the house, breaking doors and windows, and seized some family belongings.”

As of now, the reasons behind these arrests and the current whereabouts of the Mohammadi brothers remain unknown.

Morteza Mohammadi had previously been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was later released on bail.

According to data collected by the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023, Kurdistan Province accounted for a disproportionate 8.3% of reported human rights violations, including instances of arbitrary detentions.