Category: Freedom of Expression

Workers’ Rights Activist Keyvan Mohtadi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadaollahi, Evin Prison, Keyvan Mohtadi, ward 209

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced workers’ rights activist Keyvan Mohtadi to six years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Keyvan Mohtadi was sentenced to five years on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years in prison for the first count will be enforceable.

On May 9, 2022, security forces arrested Mohtadi and his partner, Anisha Asadollahi, at their house and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran.

Anisha Asadollahi and Keyvan Mohtadi had been arrested and convicted before for their civil activities. On May 1, 2019, with many other workers and worker’s rights activists, Anisha Asadollahi was arrested at a gathering for the celebration of international workers’ Day. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced her to one-year imprisonment (of which six months were suspended) and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing the public order”. She was jailed in Evin prison for sentencing on January 4, 2020, and was freed on January 21 of that year.

Three Death Sentences and 58 Years Imprisonment for Five Protestors

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

In a legal case over protests in Isfahan, Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi were sentenced to death and a total of 30 years in prison on several charges, including “enmity against God” (Moharebeh). Also, two other co-defendants, football player Amir Nasr Azadani and Soheil Jahangiri, were sentenced to 26 years and 2 years, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan, Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi, were sentenced to death.

On November 16, 2022, during Isfahan protests in Mahallah Khaneh and Malek Shahr districts, Colonel Esmail Cheraghi and two Basij Militia Forces Mohammad-Hossein Karimi and Mohsen Hamidi were killed.

 

According to these verdicts, each of these individuals was sentenced to death on “enmity against God” and ten years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The fourth-row defendant Amir Nasr Azadani was sentenced to 16 years for “assisting in enmity against God”, 5 years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” and 5 years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The fifth-row defendant Soheid Jahangiri was sentenced to two years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” The sixth-row defendant Jaber Mirhashemi was acquitted of all counts.

Imprisoned Teacher Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi Receives Additional Three Years Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi, Iranian Teachers Trade Association

The Kashan Criminal Court sentenced imprisoned teacher Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi to three years for the second part of his legal case. He was previously sentenced to 22 months and social deprivations for the first part of this case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association Telegram channel, teacher, writer and translator Hamid Jafari Nasrabadi was sentenced to three years.

According to this verdict, Nasrabadi received two years in prison for “spreading falsehood” and one year for “the contempt of judicial authority’s order.”

Nasrabadi is currently imprisoned in Kashan Prison to serve his 22-month sentence for the first of this legal case. The security forces arrested him in Kashan on October 19, 2022.

Iran Protests: Parisa Nikkhoo Sentenced to Two Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Parisa Nikkhoo, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

The Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced Parisa Nikkhoo to two years in prison. Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years in prison. She is currently jailed in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Parisa Nikkhoo, arrested at recent protests, was sentenced to two years in prison on appeal.

An informed source told HRANA, “Nikkhoo did not have a right to choose a lawyer. She was charged with assembly and collusion against national security and disturbing public order. The judicial authorities promised her a release on bond if she pleaded guilty.”

“The judge granted a 600 million-toman bail, but she cannot afford this bail.”

On September 24, 2022, Nikkhoo, age 36, was arrested at protests in Tehran and taken to a police station and then to Qarchak Prison. The informed source said she had bruises on her body during custody at the police station.

 

Iran Protests: Citizen with Disabilities Mansour Dahmardeh Sentenced to Death over Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
iran protests, Mansour Dahmardeh, Zahedan

Mansour Dahmardeh, a resident of Zahedan and a citizen with disabilities, was sentenced to death on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth.” He was arrested at recent protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, Mansour Dahmardeh, arrested at protests, was sentenced to death.

The verdict was issued by Branch 2 of the Zahedan Criminal Court on January 3, 2023.
Dahmardeh was arrested during the nationwide protests in Zahedan on October 3, 2022.

HRANA has detailed the legal cases of 58 citizens sentenced to death or under the impending threat of death sentence over protests. Read this report here.

 

 

 

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Iran Protests: Poet Reza Keshvari Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
iran protests, Karaj Revolutionary Court, Reza Keshvari

The Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced poet and painter Reza Keshvari to five years in prison, of which he will be imprisoned in exile for two years. He is also banned from leaving the country for two years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Reza Keshvari was sentenced to five years in prison and social deprivations.

On October 15, 2022, Keshvari was arrested during nationwide protests in Karaj, following a protest against the arrest of several teenagers. He was jailed in the Central Prison of Karaj.

The charges are still unknown.

Keshvari is a poet and painter, the father of a five-year-old child.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, over 19200 people, including journalists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. So far, about 670 people were convicted over protests. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

 

Iran Protests: Two Students Sentenced to a Total of Six Years

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Alborz Adi, Islamic Azad University, Kashan, Najafabad, the University of Kashan

The Kashan Revolutionary Court sentenced Alireza Ghamgosar, a student at the University of Kashan, to two years in prison. Also, Alborz Adi, a student at Islamic Azad University in Najafabad, was sentenced to four years in prison, of which two years are suspended. Both students were arrested during recent nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Alireza Ghamgosar was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

On September 20, 2022, security forces arrested Ghamgosar at nationwide protests in the city of Rasht.

Alborz Adi was sentenced to two years in prison and two years suspended imprisonment. He was arrested two times by security forces on October 3 in Najafabad, Isfahan Province, and then on October 31, 2022, in Langarud. For the second time, he was released on bail on December 31, 2022.

 

Neda Naji Sentenced to Eight Months in Prison and 60 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini, Neda Naji

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced workers’ rights activist Neda Naji to eight months in prison, 60 lashes, banned from leaving the country, paying a fine and other punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Neda Naji was sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

According to this verdict issued on December 7, 2022, Naji has been sentenced to eight months in prison, 60 lashes for “disturbing public order,” and a 15 million toman fine for “spreading falsehood.” She was also banned from leaving the country and using a cell phone for two years. She should also write a research paper as an additional punishment.

During the trial, she did not have access to her attorney.

On October 2, 2022, Naji was arrested in front of Kasra Hospital, where Mahsa Amini died, and jailed in Evin Prison. She was released on a 150-million bail on October 27, 2022.

Naji faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions.

 

 

Iran protests: Ali Davari on Trial for Allegedly ‘Enmity against God’ and ‘Spreading Corruption on Earth’

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Davari, Makan Davari, Mehdi Nasiri, moharebeh

On December 24, 2022, the Rasht Revolutionary Court held the first court session against Ali (Makan) Davari, accused of the charges of ‘enmity against God’ (Moharebeh) and ‘spreading corruption on earth.’ Davari, a resident of Langarud, was arrested over protests and is currently in pre-trial detention at Ezbaram Lahijan Prison, Gilan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on December 24, 2022, Ali (Makan) Davari’s trial began by the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

An informed source close to his family told HRANA: “In the first week of nationwide protests, on the way returning home from the gym, Makan helped several women in rescuing themselves from the assault of a group of men who later he found out that they were plainclothes security agents.”

According to this informed source, Davari’s mother, who is suffering from leukemia, was physically pushed and assaulted by the agents in the Langarud courthouse, where she had been to inquire about his son’s condition.

“In the first days following his arrest, they promised him and his family to drop the charges on the condition his family would not publicize his arrest and the charges. However, after three months, they did not keep their promise,” the informed source added.

In recent months, many protestors have faced charges such as Moharebeh and “spreading corruption on earth,” which can result in death.

HRANA has detailed the legal cases of 58 citizens sentenced to death or under the impending threat of death sentence over protests. Read this report here.

 

Iran Protests: Two Protestors Face Charge of Moharebeh in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News

Omid Bahrami Goor Masuleh and Rahmat Nowruzi, arrested at recent protests in the city of Rasht, faced the charge of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh), which can result in severe punishment, even the death penalty.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Omid Bahrami Goor Masuleh and Rahmat Nowruzi were indicted with the charge of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh).

An informed source told HRANA that these individuals faced these charges for their alleged participation in setting a Basij base on fire. The only evidence for this allegation is based on the torture-tainted confessions they made during detention, as Omid Bahrami informed his family that he had been beaten to confess.

In recent months, many protestors have faced charges such as Moharebeh and “spreading corruption on earth,” which can result in death penalty.

HRANA has detailed the legal cases of 58 citizens sentenced to death or under the impending threat of death sentence over protests. Read this report here.