Category: Freedom of Expression

Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi’s One-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Iranian Rapper, Isfahan, Toomaj Salehi

The Appeals Court of Isfahan Province has upheld the one-year sentence for protest singer Toomaj Salehi, as reported by ILNA.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, revealed that the Court of Appeal dismissed their complaint against the initial verdict, rendering it final. Despite this setback, Raisian announced plans to pursue a retrial based on Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Salehi’s conviction for “propaganda against the regime” comes with additional consequences, including a two-year travel ban, the revocation of his passport, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills programs.

Furthermore, Raisian clarified that this verdict is connected to a legal case initiated this year, stemming from the publication of a photo by Salehi.

He emphasized that Salehi faces an even greater challenge from a separate legal case dating back two years. On January 21, 2024, the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse of Isfahan indicted Salehi on multiple charges, including Baghi, an accusation of armed rebellion that carries the potential for severe punishment, including execution. In response, Raisian, expressed concerns about due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” The Criminal Court has undertaken another part of this legal, adding more legal challenges to this protest rapper.

Abdolrasoul Mortazavi Receives Two-Year Sentence in Prison for New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Dastgerd Prison, Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison

Political prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, currently serving an eleven-year sentence in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has been handed an additional two-year sentence for a new legal case initiated while in prison.

Confirming the recent ruling, a source close to Mortazavi’s family informed HRANA that the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years. The legal case was triggered by Mortazavi’s voice message titled “Joking with the world leader of the clowns,” recorded in Rajai Shahr Prison in April-May 2022.

In mid-August 2019, Mortazavi and 13 civil society activists penned an open letter urging Ayatollah Khamenei to step down, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence, with 11 years currently in effect. He is currently serving this sentence in Dastgerd Prison.

Additionally, Mortazavi was sentenced to an extra two years in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for alleged “propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order.”

An Iran-Iraq war-injured veteran, Mortazavi was initially incarcerated in Evin Prison. In March 2021, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison and later, in the following year, exiled to Dastgerd Prison.

Khoda-Karami Brothers Receive Combined 12-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Khoda-Karami, Mehdi Khoda-Karami, Mohammad Khoda-Karami, Mujahedin-e-Khalq

Mohammad and Mehdi Khoda-Karami have been sentenced by the Khorramabad Revolutionary Court.

According to a reliable source close to HRANA, the Revolutionary Court has handed down sentences of eight years for Mohammad and four years for Mehdi. The charges include “membership in an anti-regime group (The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran, or the Mujahedin-e-Khalq)” and “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

Originally arrested in Tehran last year, these Khorramabad residents were initially held in Evin Prison before being transferred to Khorramabad Prison.

Reports obtained by HRANA reveal that the Khoda-Karami brothers were subjected to physical assault during the interrogation. Additionally, throughout their detention, they were denied access to medical care despite suffering from multiple diseases.

Sunni Cleric Mohammad Khezr-Nejad Receives Death Sentence

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Asa'ad Rahimi, Bukan, Kurdpa, Mohammad Khezr-Nejad, Mohammad Khezrnejad, Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province

In a recent development, Sunni cleric Mohammad Khezr-Nejad has been sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. The charges against him include “spreading corruption on earth” and “acting against national security,” as reported by Kurdpa.

Judge Reza Najafzadeh issued the ruling, finding Khezr-Nejad guilty of various offenses, such as “spreading corruption on earth,” “acting against national security through threatening the integrity or independence of the country,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Consequently, he has been handed a death sentence along with 16 years of imprisonment. Throughout the trial, Khezr-Nejad has consistently dismissed these charges as baseless.

The verdict was reached based on coerced confessions obtained from the defendant during interrogation, where he purportedly admitted to “leading protests in Bukan and association with anti-regime groups.” Khezr-Nejad has contested the authenticity of these confessions.

In response to the sentencing, Khezr-Nejad has reportedly filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal of West Azerbaijan province.

The cleric and his son were arrested on November 19, 2022, by security forces in Bukan and subsequently detained in Urmia Prison. The arrest occurred after Khezr-Nejad delivered a speech during the funeral of Asa’ad Rahimi, who lost his life during protests at the hands of regime forces. The arrest involved physical assault against Khezr-Nejad.

It’s worth noting that Khezr-Nejad has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his activism.

Safa Aeli, Mahsa Amini’s Uncle, Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Mostafaie, Mahsa Amini, Safa Aeli, Saleh Nikbakht, Saqqez

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Saqqez handed down a five-year, six-month prison term and additional penalties to Safa Aeli, maternal uncle of Mahsa Amini.

Aeli received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for charges related to “assisting in assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” In addition, he has been prohibited from leaving the country for two years and mandated to write an article focusing on the topic of the deceased police and military forces.

Confirming this news, Aeli’s lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht informed HRANA that three years and six months of this sentence is enforceable. On September 5, 2023, security forces arrested Safa Aeli. He was released on bail from Saqqez Prison on October 17, 2023. He was denied access to a lawyer and family visits during his detention.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab 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. Additional understanding can be acquired by examining the report provided by HRANA.

 

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Mohammad Narui Receives 12-Year Prison Sentence for Alleged Membership in Anti-Regime Groups

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Mohammad Narooie, Mohammad Narui, Zahedan

The Revolutionary Court of Zahedan has sentenced Mohammad Narui (Narooie) to twelve years in prison, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Narui received this verdict on the grounds of alleged “membership in anti-regime groups,” although the specific actions leading to this charge remain undisclosed.

Narui, aged 22, a resident of Zahedan, was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence on April 8, 2023. During his detention in the Ministry’s facility, he was denied access to legal representation.

After Narui’s arrest, security-affiliated media released a video featuring his coerced confession. While the circumstances surrounding the video remain unclear, Narui is portrayed as a member of a militia group. However, the group promptly dismissed the regime’s claim, labeling it as baseless and untrue.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 80 cases of forced confessions, highlighting violations of prisoners’ rights by security and judicial authorities.

Iranian-Swedish National Saeed Azizi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dual national, Iman Afshari, Iranian-Swedish national, Saeed Azizi

Saeed Azizi, a dual national of Iran and Sweden currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed a five-year prison sentence on political charges by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari found Azizi guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Azizi was taken into custody on November 12, 2023, at his residence in Tehran shortly after his arrival from Sweden.

Azizi’s lawyer reports that he is grappling with cancer, making his detention particularly challenging. His health condition has further deteriorated after a recent fall down the stairs.

Earlier, Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concern about Azizi’s arrest in Iran without clear reasons.

Shahab Nadali Receives Death Sentence

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Baghi, Iman Afshari, Mojahedin-e-Khalq, Shahab Nadali

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a death sentence to Shahab Nadali Joozani for charges related to “Baghi” (Armed rebellion) through membership in Munafiqin (a term used by the regime referring to People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran or Mojahedin-e-Khalq). In addition, Nadali has been sentenced to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security.” He is currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari personally delivered the verdict to Nadali. Meanwhile, the second-row defendant, Hesamedin Alvani, has been acquitted of the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

As reported by HRANA, Nadali’s lawyer, Mohammad-Saleh Noghrehkar, has filed an appeal against the verdict.

Nadali, a 41-year-old resident of Hamedan and father of a 12-year-old daughter, was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence on June 7, 2023.

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.

Student Samaneh Asghari Receives One-Year Prison Sentence on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Kharazmi University, Qarchak Prison, Samaneh Asghari, Tehran Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal in Tehran has issued a one-year prison sentence for Samaneh Asghari, a student at Kharazmi University.

In a verdict dated February 10, 2024, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal upheld Asghari’s one-year sentence. The initial verdict was issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Asghari was detained by security forces at her residence in Tehran on September 14, 2023, and subsequently released on bail from Qarchak Prison in Varamin on October 4, 2023.

It is worth noting that Asghari had previously faced detention in connection with nationwide protests in October 2022, leading to an initial sentence of 18 years and three months. However, she was granted a pardon under the general pardon and commutation directive, resulting in her release from Qarchak Prison in April of the current year.

Varisheh Moradi Faces Charges of Alleged Armed Rebellion

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, armed rebellion, Baghi, Sanandaj, Varisheh Moradi

According to a report by Kurdpa, Varisheh Moradi, a resident of Sanandaj, has been indicted by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of armed rebellion (Baghi), potentially leading to severe punishment, including the death penalty.

The accusation is reportedly linked to her alleged membership in a political opposition party.

The indictment, initiated by Judge Abolghasem Salavati of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Regrettably, Moradi has been denied access to legal representation, and since her arrest, she has only had one family visitation.

Moradi was apprehended by security forces on August 1, 2023, in the suburbs of Sanandaj. Later in August, she was transferred from a detention facility in Sanandaj to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Following the completion of the interrogation process on December 26, 2023, she was relocated to the Women’s Ward within the prison.

Despite the passage of time, the specific reasons for Moradi’s arrest and the charges against her remain undisclosed. It’s noteworthy that under Iran’s laws, the charge of Baghi may carry severe penalties, including execution and amputation of hands and feet.