Category: Freedom of Expression

Three Iranians Living Abroad Detained by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iran prisoner swap, Mizan

The Ministry of Intelligence has detained three Iranian individuals residing abroad, accusing them of “leading protests” in Iran, according to a report by Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency. Mizan has also released a video featuring their “coerced confessions.”

The report asserts that the detainees were living in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. Mizan mentions the identities of two of these individuals as Yaser (last name undisclosed) and Erfan (last name undisclosed), but it provides no information about the third person’s identity.

The report does not specify whether these individuals hold dual foreign citizenship or have solely obtained residency in the mentioned countries (UK, Germany, and the US).

Based on the published video, it appears that these individuals were apprehended upon their return to Iran.

These arrests follow a recent prisoner swap deal between Iran and Western countries in recent months and precede the imminent release of Iran’s frozen assets. Many observers believe that the Iranian government detains foreign and dual nationals to exert leverage in negotiations with Western countries or for political purposes.

Teacher Union Activist Mohammad-Sadegh Fahimi Arrested in Yazd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Mohammad-Sadegh Fahimi, Yazd

Teacher union activist Mohammad-Sadegh Fahimi was arrested in Yazd following pensioners’ protest rallies. The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations reported his detention and transfer to an undisclosed facility. It has been confirmed that Fahimi was apprehended by security forces at his residence.

The specific cause for Fahimi’s arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Fahimi is an active member of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association in Yazd Province.

Two Women Detained by Security Forces in Ilam

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Freedom of Expression, News
Batool Omidi, Fakhri Omidi, HRANA, Ilam

On Monday, September 11, Batool Omidi and Fakhri Omidi were apprehended by security forces in Ilam and subsequently transferred to the city’s prison.

A source informed HRANA that “they were detained for distributing flyers pertaining to protests and have been placed in the quarantine section of Ilam Prison.”
As per this source, they have been accused of “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Poet and Writer Habib Mousavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Habib Mousavi, irgc, IRGC’s intelligence, Ramezan Haji Mashhadi

Habib Mousavi, a poet and writer, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by the Gorgan Criminal Court. Mousavi’s attorney, Ramezan Haji Mashhadi, was officially notified of his conviction for “disseminating false information on the Internet.” Additionally, Mousavi has been fined 20 million Tomans.

A source who spoke to HRANA cited “protesting against rising bread prices” as an example of the charge brought against Mousavi.

In the second segment of his legal proceedings, for the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” Mousavi had previously received an eight-month prison term, which was later commuted to a 20-million-toman fine,

Mousavi, 50 years old, was arrested on July 31, 2023, shortly after receiving a summons and visiting the IRGC’s intelligence office in Gorgan, Golestan Province.

Payam Bastani Parizi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Payam Bastani Parizi, Tehran

On September 11, Payam Bastani Parizi was apprehended at his father’s residence in Tehran and subsequently transported to an undisclosed detention center. Notably, Bastani Parizi had previously been detained in connection with the nationwide protests of 2022.

A source closely associated with his family relayed to HRANA that a group of eight security agents conducted the arrest at his father’s residence. The grounds for Bastani Parizi’s detention, his current location, and the charges against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

Bastani Parizi’s initial arrest occurred on September 24, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Tehran. He was subsequently released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary on February 8, 2023, under the “pardon and commutation” directive implemented at that time.

It’s noteworthy that Bastani Parizi, aged 36, has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

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Arrests of Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Shirafkan, Amirabad prison, Behrooz Izadi Rad, Gorgan

On Friday, September 10, Behrooz Izadi Rad and Amin Shirafkan, both residents of Gorgan, were apprehended and taken to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to the family of one of these detainees has confirmed their arrest by security forces.

As of now, the precise reasons behind their arrests and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.
It’s noteworthy that Izadi Rad had previously been arrested on May 15, 2023, and subsequently incarcerated in Amirabad Prison, Gorgan. He regained his freedom on bail on August 22, 2023.
Izadi Rad has encountered prior arrests and convictions due to his involvement in various activities.

Morteza Nourmohammadi Arrested in Shabestar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nourmohammadi, Shabestar

On September 9, Morteza Nourmohammadi, a resident of Shabestar in East Azerbaijan province, was apprehended by security forces and transported to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

A source with close ties to his family informed HRANA that Nourmohammadi was detained on September 9, immediately following a visit to the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran. Subsequent to his arrest, intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Previously, the National Organization for Civil Registration had declined to register a chosen name for his newborn child. It’s worth noting that the Iranian government restricts naming children in ways that deviate from the national cultural and religious norms.

The precise grounds for his detention, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

Hamid Dadras Detained in Dehdasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Armin, Dehdasht, Hamid Dadras, Jaber Froughi, Sajad Parvish

On Friday, September 8, 2023, security forces apprehended Hamid Dadras, who had been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022, in Dehdasht and transported him to an undisclosed location.

A source closely connected to his family shared this information with HRANA.

At this time, the motive behind his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.
It’s worth noting that on Thursday, September 7, three additional Dehdasht residents, namely Babak Armin, Jaber Froughi, and Sajad (Sajjad) Parvish, were also taken into custody by security forces in Dehdasht.

Previously, Dadras had been taken into custody on December 9, during the 2022 nationwide protests in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. He was subsequently released on bail after a period of detention.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Gorgan Resident Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Mohammad Reza Shoghi, Tahmuras Shoghi

On September 8, 2023, Mohammad-Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently jailed in Amirabad Prison.

According to a source close to his family who provided information to HRANA, Shoghi was taken into custody at his residence on Friday, September 8, following a summons from security police received via phone a few days earlier.

As of now, the specific reason for Shoghi’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shoghi, aged 23, has previously encountered law enforcement and undergone prior arrests due to his involvement in activist endeavors.

Death Sentence and Lengthy Imprisonment for Four Baneh Residents

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Baset Karimi, Kurdistan Province, Mohammad Feyzi, Mohammad Karimi, Sanandaj, Yousef Ahmadi

Yousef Ahmadi has been sentenced to death by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court for his involvement in armed rebellion (Baghi). In the same legal case, other defendants, Mohammad Karimi, Baset Karimi, and Mohammad Feyzi, have received prison sentences of 25, 20, and 20 years, respectively.

According to reports from Kurdpa, Judge Saeedi presided over the proceedings against these residents of Baneh. During the trial, evidence of their alleged collaboration with a political opposition party in Kurdistan was presented as the basis for the charges, as shared by a Kurdpa staff member with HRANA.

These individuals were initially apprehended by security forces in April 2020 and subsequently transferred to Sanandaj prison after the conclusion of the interrogation process at a security detention facility. Despite these developments, specific details pertaining to their case and the actions underlying the charges remain undisclosed.