Category: Freedom of Expression

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Detained for Over 70 days in Legal Limbo

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nour-Mohammadi, Shabestar, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Naradrli (Nazarlu) remains in a state of legal uncertainty, having been detained for more than 70 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz.

According to a source close to his family, HRANA learned that Nour-Mohammadi has recently been formally charged by the Public and Revolutionary Court. Additionally, the bail required for his temporary release has been escalated to 700 million Tomans, approximately 14,000 dollars.

Initially accused of the political charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” Nour-Mohammadi now faces an additional legal challenge, being charged with “membership in a group to act against national security.”

On September 9, 2023, Nour-Mohammadi, a resident of Shabestar, was apprehended by security forces at the National Organization for Civil Registration in Sufian city and subsequently detained in Tabriz Prison. After a period, he was moved to a detention facility.

Nour-Mohammadi had publicly revealed that the Civil Registration office had denied issuing a birth certificate for his newborn child with the name “Hunai.” This denial was attributed to the Iranian regime’s stringent restrictions on name selection, particularly those with ethnic or foreign origins.

Atefeh Chaharmahalian’s Suspended Sentence Lifted on Appeal, Resulting in Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atefeh Chaharmahalian, Evin, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeal has amended Atefeh Chaharmahalian’s initial suspended sentence, now imposing two years and eight months of imprisonment.

The original suspension for five years was revoked at the request of the Evin prosecutor’s office.
In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which mandates the enforcement of the harshest punishment in cases of multiple charges, Chaharmahalian will serve two years in prison.

Arrested in October 2022 amid nationwide protests, this poet and children’s rights activist was released on bail in December 2022. The Tehran Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced her to a fine and two years for “disseminating false information to disturb public opinion” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The original verdict, including a five-year suspension, has now been replaced.

In addition to her imprisonment, Chaharmahalian faces various restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country, limitations on using cell phones and social media, and prohibition from joining political parties or civil groups. Furthermore, she is mandated to conduct research on the topics of “physical and intellectual security, harm to peace, and the corruption and crimes of the Pahlavi regime.”

Kazem Ali Nejad Arrested in Eslamshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eslamshahr, HRANA, Kazem Ali-Nejad

On November 20, Kazem Ali-Nejad Baraloo was apprehended in Eslamshahr, Tehran Province, by security forces, who subsequently transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to his family, at 7:00 am on Monday, a group of nine individuals in plainclothes arrived at Ali-Nejad’s residence. They conducted an extensive search, seized some of his personal belongings, and took him into custody.

The grounds for Ali-Nejad’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

It is worth noting that Ali-Nejad has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to political charges. The circumstances surrounding his latest detention add to the ongoing concern about the state of human rights and political freedoms in the region. The lack of transparency regarding the nature of the charges further underscores the need for a thorough and fair legal process.

Appeals Court Upholds Six-Month Sentence for Writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie, Iranian Writer, Mazandaran, ارسلان رسولی عمارلویی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has affirmed the six-month sentence imposed on writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie.

This decision follows his initial conviction by the Tonekabon Revolutionary Court for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Rasouli Amarlooie’s charge is said to be linked to the republication of an article authored by a former managing editor of Kayhan on the internet.

Known for his literary contributions, Rasouli Amarlooie has authored several books, including “Uprising,” “The 1979 Fall,” “Return from Resurrection,” “Sargalesh Hymn,” and “School Teacher.”

Keyvan Zand Karimi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Keyvan Zand Karimi, Kurdpa, Sanandaj, کیوان زند کریمی

Keyvan Zand Karimi has been handed a five-year prison sentence by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

The verdict, issued on November 8, 2023, declares Zand Karimi guilty of political charges, including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and “participation in illegal protest gatherings.”

Zand Karimi was apprehended by security forces in Sanandaj on May 7, 2023, leading to his incarceration in the city’s prison. After spending several months behind bars, he was granted release on bail from Sanandaj Prison on August 26, 2023.

It is noteworthy that Zand Karimi has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations due to his activist endeavors.

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Actress Hanieh Tavassoli Receives Suspended Imprisonment and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hanieh Tavassoli, HRANA, Maryam Kian Ersi, Tehran, هانیه توسلی

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed actress Hanieh Tavassoli a six-month prison sentence and a 15 million-toman fine. The prison term has been suspended for three years.

The court found Tavassoli guilty of “dissemination of false information to disturb public opinion,” as announced by her lawyer, Maryam Kian Ersi.

On October 29, 2023, the Tehran Prosecutor indicted eight cinema practitioners, including Tavassoli, for disseminating false information. Tavassoli was apprehended by security forces on September 16 of this year and subsequently released on bail the following day.

Mahsa Yazdani’s 13-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, Mahsa Yazdani, Mazandaran, Meysam Mousavi, Mohammad Javad Zahedi, محمدجواد یزدانی, مهسا یزدانی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has confirmed a 13-year sentence against Mahsa Yazdani, whose son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the nationwide protests in 2022 at the hands of regime forces.

Yazdani’s lawyer, Meysam Mousavi, publicly announced the affirmation of this verdict by the Mazandaran Court of Appeals on Sunday, November 19.

Initially, the Sari Revolutionary Court imposed a five-year term on Yazdani for “blasphemy,” an additional five years for “incitement against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an extra year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a total of 13 years, with five years to be enforced.

On August 22, 2023, Yazdani was apprehended by security forces in Sari. After spending 45 days in detention, she was granted release on bail.

Her son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the protests on September 22, 2022.

Three Political Defendants Sentenced to Over 61 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, irgc, Mahboobeh Rezaie, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Samaneh Nowruz Moradi, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a combined sentence of 61 years and 10 months to political defendants Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, Mahboobeh Rezaie, and Samaneh Nowruz Moradi.

Presided over by Judge Amoozad, the court communicated the following verdicts:

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” three years with property confiscation for “illegal acquisition of property,” and one year and seven months for “defying government officers on duty.”

Mahboobeh Rezaie: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” seven years and nine months for blasphemy, and one year and seven months for “removing hijab and showing the act of depravity on the Internet.”

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year and three months for “propaganda against the regime.”

As additional penalties, they have been sentenced to two years of compulsory residence in Tehran and a two-year prohibition from participating in political/civil groups and engaging in activities on social media.

The court session addressing their charges took place on November 4, 2023.

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini was arrested at his residence on May 1, 2023, and initially detained at Detention Facility A-1 under the IRGC’s jurisdiction, later moved to Evin Prison, and ultimately relocated to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi was arrested at her Tehran residence on April 24, 2023, and incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Mahboobeh Rezaie was arrested by security forces on May 22, 2023, and detained in Evin Prison after a period.

These individuals, known for their activism, had previously faced arrests and imprisonment.

 

Asrin Mohammadi Arrested in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asrin Mohammadi, Bukan, Milad Mohammadi, Shahriar Mohammadi

On November 15, Asrin Mohammadi was apprehended by security forces in Bukan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location. Notably, her brother Shahriar Mohammadi was killed by regime forces during nationwide protests just last year.

Milad Mohammadi, Asrin’s brother, took to social media to disclose that 17 security agents arrested his sister at a printing shop in Bukan. He reported that Asrin endured physical abuse and injuries inflicted by special police forces during the arrest.

The grounds for Mohammadi’s arrest, the charges against her, and her current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

It is worth noting that Shahriar Mohammadi, aged approximately 30, met a tragic end when he was fatally shot during the protests on November 18, 2022.

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Eight Months in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Markazi Province, Mobtakeran Machinery Company, حمیدرضا نجفی

The Court of Appeal of Markazi Province has sentenced Hamidreza (Hamid-Reza) Najafi, a resident of Arak, to eight months in prison.

Najafi was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime” but was acquitted of the charge of “inciting people to commit acts of violence.”
Initially, the Arak Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to three years and six months for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” In addition, the Criminal Court imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”
Najafi, a 41-year-old innovative entrepreneur and CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company, was detained in September of this year. He was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.