Category: Freedom of Expression

Woman Sentenced to 11 Months in Prison After Confrontation with Religious Vigilante Over Dog Walk

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Freedom of Expression, News
Negin Chaparian, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down an eleven-month prison term to Negin Chaparian for an altercation with a religious vigilante who harassed her while walking her dog.

According to the recent verdict from Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Chaparian has been convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime, provoking impurity and indecency, and outraging public decency.”

In August 2023, 34-year-old Chaparian, a Tehran resident, engaged in a dispute with a religious vigilante in a park who objected to her walking a dog, deeming it inappropriate by Islamic standards. Subsequently, she was arrested after sharing photos of the incident on social media. Chaparian spent three days in detention and was later released on bail.

This incident highlights a concerning violation of citizens’ privacy rights and freedom, as the Iranian regime encourages individuals to enforce the Islamic code in public as a religious duty.

Kamal Babaie’s Arrest in Isfahan Raises Concerns

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Kamal Babaie

On January 27, 2024, security forces apprehended Kamal Babaie in Isfahan, placing him in Dastgerd Prison.

According to a source close to Babaie’s family, he was arrested and confined to prison at a time when his physical well-being was reportedly not suitable for incarceration.

The motives behind Babaie’s arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed. The circumstances surrounding his detention raise concerns about the transparency and justification of the arrest.

Farshad Dastmardi Receives Three-Year Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Farshad Dastmardi, Judge Taheri, Yasuj

Farshad Dastmardi, one of the detainees during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to three years, seven months, and 16 days by the Criminal Court in Dehdasht.

Presiding over the case, Judge Taheri issued a three-year prison term for “disturbing public opinion and acting against national security” and seven months plus 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

Reportedly, this verdict was handed down without a formal trial, as shared by a source close to Taheri’s family.

Dastmardi was arrested by IRGC’s Intelligence agents in Dehdasht in August 2023 and later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility in Yasuj. He was released on bail on January 21, 2024.

During the 2022 nationwide protests, he was also arrested by security forces and released on bail of one and a half billion tomans, approximately 30,000 dollars. This previous arrest further adds to the series of judicial confrontations Dastmardi has faced over time.

Journalist Parisa Salehi Receives One-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini, Parisa Salehi, University of Tehran, zanjan

Journalist Parisa Salehi has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. In addition to imprisonment, she faces exile, a travel ban, and restrictions on internet and social media usage.

Salehi disclosed that Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, issued the verdict, imposing a one-year prison term, a two-year ban on leaving the country, a mandatory two-year residence in Zanjan, and limitations on internet and social media usage for two years for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In September 2023, security forces conducted a comprehensive search of Salehi’s residence, leading to her subsequent summons to the Karaj courthouse. There, she was indicted and later released on bond.

Salehi is a journalist at Donya-e-Eqtesad Newspaper and a master’s student in economics at the University of Tehran.

Taher Sarli Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gonbad-e Kavus, Taher Sarli

Taher Sarli was apprehended by security forces following his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse in Gonbad-e Kavus, subsequently being confined in the city’s prison.

A reliable source close to Sarli’s family has verified his arrest and imprisonment in the Gonbad-e Kavus prison. The source disclosed, “Sarli has previously faced multiple charges, including ‘disturbing public opinion’ and ‘acting against national security.'”

Furthermore, the source added, “The case was initiated with both the public prosecutor and Sarli as a private plaintiff.”

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Lawyer Khosrow Alikordi Receives One-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Alikordi, Khosrow Alikurdi, Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison

The Court of Appeal in Razavi Khorasan Province has confirmed a one-year prison sentence for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, coupled with a two-year prohibition on practicing law, exile, and restrictions on internet and social media usage.

Alikordi has been found guilty of alleged “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.” Additionally, the court has mandated a two-year residence in Nehbandan, South Khorasan province. During the trial, interviews with media outside Iran were presented as evidence for this charge.

The initial verdict was issued in September 2023 by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

Alikordi was arrested on August 1, 2023, after his presence in the Publish and Revolutionary Courthouse in Mashhad. Subsequently, he was detained in Vakilabad prison and released on bail after four days.

In a separate aspect of this legal case, Alikordi had earlier been sentenced to pay a fine for “disseminating false information and breaching confidentiality.”

Protest Singer Toomaj Salehi Faces Charges of Armed Rebellion (Baghi)

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Baghi, Toomaj Salehi, توماج صالحی

On January 21, 2024, the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse of Isfahan indicted singer Toomaj Salehi on multiple charges, including Baghi, an accusation of armed rebellion that carries the potential for severe punishment, including execution.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, stated, “During the inquiry session, Salehi faced not only the charge for which he had already been acquitted, but he was also notified of two new charges not cited in the indictment, namely, assisting in Baghi (group armed rebellion against the regime) and assembly and collusion against national security. Firstly, the charge of assisting in Baghi appears inconsistent with the fact that there is no co-defendant whom Salehi is accused of assisting, let alone a group. Secondly, no weapons were discovered on Salehi, not even a knife, let alone a firearm.”

Earlier, Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, expressed concerns about the due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” He stated, “Regarding the arrest case in October 2022, the Supreme Court has already overturned five charges, leaving only three remaining charges to be addressed. Consequently, the case was returned to the Revolutionary Court. The Court had also emphasized that the defendant could be included in a general pardon. However, after three months, the Revolutionary Court has introduced two new charges, bringing the total number of charges to ten.”

Salehi has also recently received a one-year sentence and additional punishment in another legal case.

Salehi was re-arrested in Babol on November 30, twelve days after his release on bail from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The Judiciary spokesperson cited Salehi’s statement after his release as the grounds for this subsequent arrest.

In late October 2022, Salehi was initially detained by security forces during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years and three months in prison along with additional penalties. However, he was released on bail after the Supreme Court overturned the verdict.

It is worth noting that the protest singer already has a prior conviction in a separate legal case. On January 12, 2022, he was sentenced to a six-month prison term and fined, with the imprisonment suspended for one year.

Shahab Bayat Receives Six-Month Prison Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamedan, Shahab Bayat

The Court of Appeal in Hamedan has upheld a six-month sentence for Shahab Bayat, a student at the Islamic Azad University of Hamadan.

Presiding over the court, Seyed Reza Hassani Helm found Bayat guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Bayat was indicted on May 24, 2023, and was subsequently granted bail of 300 million toman, equivalent to approximately 6000 dollars in this legal case.

As HRA’s annual report reveals, in 2023, 64 workers’ rights advocates were arrested by security forces in Iran. Additionally, 29 labor activists or defenders of workers’ rights were sentenced to 654 months of imprisonment, which includes 568 months of actual imprisonment and 86 months of suspended imprisonment. These alarming statistics underscore the challenging environment faced by those advocating for labor rights in the country.

Legal Advocate Golaleh Vatandoost Receives over Six-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golaleh Vatandoost, revolutionary court, Sanadaj

According to Kolbar News, Golaleh Vatandoost, a legal practitioner, has been sentenced to six years, seven months, and twenty days by the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj.

Vatandoost faced multiple charges, including “propaganda against the regime on the Internet,” as well as allegations of forming, running, and being a member of groups acting against national security, along with charges related to membership in anti-regime groups.

Her arrest by security forces in Sanandaj occurred on October 3, 2022. After spending 26 days in custody, she was released on bail set at one billion toman, approximately equivalent to 20,000 dollars.

It is noteworthy that Vatandoost had previously encountered legal issues due to her activist endeavors.

The Human Rights Advocates’ (HRA) annual report for 2023 reveals that Iranian judicial institutions collectively imposed sentences totaling 25,124 months on citizens for exercising their rights of expression.

Taher Asgharpour Sentenced to Four Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alborz province, Taher Asgharpour

The Court of Appeals in Alborz Province has handed down a four-month prison sentence to Taher Asgharpour, a teacher and translator, on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

Originally, Asgharpour faced a six-month prison term, coupled with a prohibition on engaging in political activities and restrictions on Internet and social media use.

On September 30, 2023, security forces apprehended Asgharpour, detaining him at the Central Prison of Karaj until his release on bail the following day.

As HRA’s annual report reveals, in 2023, Iranian judicial institutions collectively imposed sentences totaling 25,124 months on citizens for exercising their rights of expression.