Category: Freedom of Expression

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Hasti Amiri, Iman Afshari, Zia Nabavi

The Tehran Court of Appeal upheld a one-year sentence against Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, students at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, with Judge Iman Afshari presiding, had handed down the one-year sentences to both students on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” This decision has now been confirmed by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. Consequently, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

 

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Four-Year, Nine-Month Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Mobtakeran Machinery Company

Arak resident, Hamidreza Najafi, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison by both the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts of Arak.

The Revolutionary Court has levied a three-year, six-month sentence against Najafi for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” Additionally, the Criminal Court has imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”

Najafi, who was detained in September of this year, was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Previously, Najafi had faced fines for “spreading false information” as part of a separate legal case.

Aged 41, Najafi is an inventive entrepreneur and serves as the CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company.

Ali Aghel Detained in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Aghel, HRANA, Vakilabad prison

On October 23, Ali Aghel was apprehended in Mashhad and subsequently incarcerated at Vakilabad prison after his appearance at the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Court.

A reliable source with close ties to his family notified HRANA about Aghel’s detention, which occurred following a summons. This source disclosed that Aghel is now facing charges related to “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in anti-regime groups.”

Comedian Zeinab Mousavi Arrested on Allegations of Blasphemy

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kuzcoo, Qom, Tehran, Zeinab Mousavi

Zeinab Mousavi, a well-known Iranian comedian and parody artist, has been arrested under orders from the Tehran prosecutor’s office, facing allegations of blasphemy in connection with a satirical video.

According to Dideban Iran, Mousavi is accused of committing blasphemy in her satirical videos that were shared on social media.

Mousavi is widely recognized for her portrayal of the parody character known as the Empress of Kuzcoo. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time she has faced legal issues, as she was previously arrested by security forces in Qom on October 12, 2022. She was subsequently released on bail the following month. During her detention, Mousavi spent 25 days in solitary confinement.

Naser Razmjoo Arrested in Ardabil, Current Charges Unknown

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ardabil, Naser Razmjoo, Tabriz

On Saturday, October 21, security forces apprehended Naser Razmjoo (Razmju) in Ardabil, subsequently relocating him to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Tabriz.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his arrest, Razmjoo managed to contact his family, notifying them of his detention.
As of now, the reasons behind Razmjoo’s arrest and the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

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Political Prisoner Naeb Askari Receives Death Sentence After Retrial

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Ethnic Minorities, Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Mostafa Soltani, Naeb Askari, Nayeb Askari, Urmia

Political prisoner Naeb (Nayeb) Askari has been sentenced to death by the Urmia Revolutionary Court, following a retrial.

Initially, he had received a death sentence in absentia for the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” However, after his appeal, the court changed the charge to “armed rebellion (Baghi)” and issued a second death sentence.

In this verdict, Askari’s affiliation with a Kurdish political party was cited as evidence for this charge.

Askari was apprehended by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia and subsequently taken to a detention facility. On June 17, 2021, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, where he has remained in detention.

According to a source close to his family, Askari faces another legal case in the Urmia Criminal Court for his alleged involvement in the death of an IRGC member, Mostafa Soltani. This source clarified that Soltani was injured during a confrontation with a member of a Kurdish party in 2014 and later succumbed to COVID-19, which was unrelated to the earlier injuries. Despite the unrelated cause of death, Soltani’s family filed a complaint, asserting that he died as a result of sustained injuries rather than COVID-19.

Additionally, on July 12, 2021, a new case was initiated against Askari, following a complaint from the head of Urmia Prison. In this case, he was sentenced to an additional three months of imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order.”

Kaveh Amiri Receives Eight-Month Prison Sentence for Propaganda-Related Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Barjesteh, Kaveh Amiri, Shahriar

The Shahriar Revolutionary Court has issued an eight-month prison sentence to Kaveh Amiri, aged 39.

Judge Barjesteh, who presided over the case, recently informed Amiri that he has been sentenced to eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” including time served during detention. Notably, Amiri has been acquitted of the charge of “disturbing public opinion and endangering national security.”

On September 10, 2023, Amiri was summoned to the Shahriar Public Security Police, where he was subsequently arrested and held in Evin Prison following an interrogation. He was released on bail after three days.

Journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi Sentenced to a Combined 25 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elahe Mohammadi, Mahsa Amini, Niloofar Hamedi, Salavati, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued sentences of 13 and 12 years to two female journalists, Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, respectively. In addition to their prison terms, they have been prohibited from participating in political groups and are subject to restrictions on their social media and media-related activities. These journalists are currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Judge Salavati, who presided over the case, sentenced Hamedi to seven years for “collaboration with an adversarial country, the USA,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Mohammadi received six, five, and one-year sentences for the same charges, respectively.

Should the verdicts be upheld on appeal, the initial jail terms, specifically seven years for Hamedi and six years for Mohammadi, will be enforced.

Hamedi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Shargh, was arrested at her residence in Tehran on September 22, 2022, by security forces. She gained recognition as the first journalist to publish a picture of Mahsa Amini in a coma.

Mohammadi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Ham-Mihan, was arrested on September 29, 2022, after traveling to Saqqez and covering the funeral of Mahsa Amini.

Multiple Arrests Made During Zahedan Protest

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Freedom of Expression, News
Haal Vsh, Zahedan

On October 20, 2023, security forces detained several individuals participating in a protest in Zahedan, subsequently relocating them to undisclosed facilities, according to Haal Vsh.

On this day, dozens of people in Zahedan took to the streets chanting slogans against the regime. Video footage shared on social media shows the intervention of police special forces, escalating what was initially a peaceful demonstration.

As of now, the identities of the detainees and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard Sentenced to Six Years and Six Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Mehdi Mohammadi-Fard, Nowshahr, Sari

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard has been handed a six-year and six-month prison sentence by the Sari Revolutionary Court. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

HRANA received this information through a source with close ties to his family. The court convened on October 1, 2023.

Initially, Mohammadi Fard faced dual death sentences on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “enmity against God.” However, this ruling was subsequently overturned, leading to the case being referred to another court branch for review.

Additionally, Mohammadi Fard received a six-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime,” two years for “incitement of people to engage in hostilities,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and four years for “participation in activities that undermine national security.”

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard, who is approximately 20 years old, was detained by the Iranian Public Security Police in Nowshahr during the protests.