Category: Freedom of Expression

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.

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.

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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.

Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi Receives One-Year Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Babol, Isfahan, Toomaj Salehi, توماج صالحی

In the latest development, Toomaj Salehi, the renowned Iranian protest rapper, has been sentenced to one year by the Revolutionary Court. Additionally, he faces a two-year travel ban, the annulment of his passport, and is required to participate in behavior management and knowledge skills programs.

Revealing the verdict publicly, Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, expressed concern over the due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” Raisian asserted that the court session concluded without prior notice to Salehi and in the absence of his attorney.

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.

Workers’ Rights Advocate Saeed Yoozi Taken Into Custody by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
HRA, Human Rights Activists, Saeed Yoozi, Workers' Rights Advocate, سعید یوزی

On December 26, Saeed Yoozi, a dedicated workers’ rights advocate, was apprehended by security forces.

According to a source with close ties to Yoozi’s family, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence conducted the arrest at his residence.

As of now, the reasons behind Yoozi’s detention and his current location are undisclosed.

Yoozi, an active member of the Committee for the Establishment of Independent Labor Organizations, has previously encountered arrests and legal challenges due to his commitment to labor advocacy.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 64 cases of arrest related to workers’ rights advocacy. Furthermore, 29 labor activists or workers’ rights defenders received sentences totaling 654 months, comprising 568 months of actual imprisonment and 86 months of suspended imprisonment. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding labor rights, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi Sentenced to Four Years on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, Pouria Shokoohi Rad, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a four-year prison sentence to Mohsen Haji-Mohammadi, while co-defendant Pouria Shokoohi-Rad has been acquitted of the charges.

Presiding over Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Judge Iman Afshari found Haji-Mohammadi guilty of the political charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” during the court session held on December 4 of this year.

Both defendants were apprehended separately in Tehran in September 2023. After seven days of detention in solitary confinement by the Public Security Police, they were subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

Notably, Haji-Mohammadi has a history of arrests and previous incarcerations due to his activism.

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