Category: Freedom of Expression

Elham Farshad Recevies Three Years and Eight Months in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Elham Farshad, Nowshahr

The Nowshahr Criminal Court has issued a three-year, eight-month prison sentence to Elham Farshad. The exact charges against her remain undisclosed.

Elham Farshad, 29 years old, was arrested at her residence on July 13, 2022, by security forces. Subsequently, she was released on bail, amounting to 500 million Tomans (approximately 10,000 dollars).

Her arrest is connected to a confrontation with a cleric who had been harassing her due to what he deemed an improper dress code. This incident gained significant attention within Persian communities on social media.

Vahid Karimi Sentenced to Four Years, One Month, and 17 Days

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Tehran Court of Appeals, Vahid Karimi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict sentencing Vahid Karimi to four years, one month, and 17 days in prison. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to the judgment delivered on September 7, Karimi has been handed a three-year, six-month, and one-day sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year, six-month, and one-day prison term will be executed.

Karimi’s arrest occurred on November 29, 2022, when he was apprehended by the IRGC Intelligence unit at his father’s residence in Qazvin, after which he was transferred to Tehran.

Initially, Karimi had been released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a pardon and commutation directive, with the suspension of prosecution order by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, it has come to light that, following a complaint by the prosecutor, Karimi’s pardon was revoked, and the case was referred to the Court of Appeals.

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.

Former Political Prisoner Reza Nowruzi Arrested

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, great tehran penitentiary, Reza Nowruzi, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On September 7, 2023, Reza Nowruzi, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Breaking this development, his attorney, Erfan Karam Veisi, confirmed: “Nowruzi was arrested at his residence by security forces.”

The identity of the security institution responsible for Nowruzi’s arrest, as well as details about his current whereabouts and the charges against him, remain unknown at this time.

Previously, Nowruzi had been arrested by security forces in Tehran in April-May 2021. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years in prison, with five years of that sentence being enforceable. This verdict was upheld upon appeal.

On May 27, 2023, Nowruzi was granted early release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary. However, during his incarceration, in August 2022, he was charged with “disturbing prison order,” resulting in a fine and a sentence of 74 lashes.

In June 2023, he was summoned to Evin Courthouse to face further penalties related to his legal case.

Nowruzi, approximately 33 years of age and hailing from Sarab, is a father of two children.

Parsa Ghobadi Arrested in Kermanshah

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Kermanshah, Parsa Ghobadi

Parsa Ghobadi, a resident of Kermanshah, has been apprehended by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location, as reported by Kurdpa. Ghobadi had previously been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadi reportedly was arrested last Monday, September 4, at his father’s workplace in Kermanshah.

Sources indicate that Ghobadi is in need of medical attention and has been denied access to his prescribed medication since his arrest. Despite his family’s inquiries, there has been no response from judicial and security authorities. As of now, the reasons behind his arrest and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.

During the nationwide protests in 2022, Ghobadi, who is about 19 years old, suffered a gunshot wound to his eye inflicted by regime forces.

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.

 

Mostafa Mohebi Commences His Three-Year Sentence in Rudsar Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan province, HRANA, Langarud, Mahsa Amini, Mostafa Mohebi, Rudsar

Mostafa Mohebi (also spelled as Mohebbi) has begun serving his three-year prison term in Rudsar Prison. His arrest dates back to the nationwide protests in 2022, also known as the Mahsa Amini Protests.

According to a source close to his family who spoke with HRANA, Mohebi was convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “acting against national security,” leading to a three-year sentence. On August 28, 2023, he commenced his sentence in Rudsar Prison.

Mohebi was apprehended by security forces in January 2023 and subsequently incarcerated in Lakan Prison, Rasht, on February 3.

A 35-year-old computer engineer and Langarud resident in Gilan Province, Mohebi’s case continues to garner attention in the ongoing discourse on civil rights and freedom of expression in Iran.

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.

 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Taha Rasoulian Sentenced to Seven Years, Three Months in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Taha Rasoulian

In a recent verdict issued by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, Taha Rasoulian, a resident of Piranshahr, has been handed a sentence of seven years and three months, according to a report from Kurdpa.

This sentence encompasses three years for “membership in a political opposition party,” three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” culminating in a total imprisonment period of seven years and three months.

Taha Rasoulian’s legal ordeal commenced with his arrest in Piranshahr on January 18, 2023, followed by his release on February 21, 2023.

In a separate legal case, in May 2023, Rasoulian faced a sentence from the Piranshahr Criminal Court, resulting in a fine and a punishment of 40 lashes, stemming from allegations of “disrupting public order and safety.”

Family Members of Killed Protester Detained in Bukan

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Mahsa Amini, Mohammad Hassanzadeh, Solmaz Hassanzadeh

In a recent development reported by Kolbar News, on September 5, 2023, authorities from the Ministry of Intelligence in Bukan took into custody Ahmad Hassanzadeh (56) and Solmaz Hassanzadeh (29), the father and sister of the late Mohammad Hassanzadeh.  Mohammad tragically was killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests in 2022.

They were reportedly arrested following an appearance at the Ministry of Intelligence office.

Mohammad Hassanzadeh, 28 years old at the time, met a fatal end when he was shot by government forces during the protests in Bukan on November 16, 2022.

In a related development, with the anniversary of the Mahsa Amini protests drawing near, security institutions have intensified their pressure on the families of victims, resulting in the detention of many.

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.

 

Safa Aeli, Mahsa Amini’s Uncle, Taken into Custody

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Safa Aeli, Saqqez, Zhina Amini

On September 5, 2023, Safa Aeli, the uncle of Mahsa Amini, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

A source informed HRANA that today, at approximately 13:00, ten intelligence agents in three vehicles came and arrested Aeli at his residence. Additionally, this source provided details regarding the mounting pressure and threats faced by Mahsa Amini’s family from security institutions.

Presently, the specific grounds for Aeli’s detention and his current whereabouts are unknown. Safa Aeli is a Saqqez resident and the maternal uncle of Mahsa Amini.

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.

Former Political Prisoner Masoumeh Yavari Detained

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Golpayegan, Isfahan, Masoumeh Yavari

In Golpayegan, Isfahan province, on September 4, 2023, security forces apprehended Masoumeh Yavari, a former political prisoner, and subsequently transported her to an undisclosed location.

According to a source with close ties to her family, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Yavari at her residence. During the operation, these agents conducted a search and confiscated various items belonging to her and her family.

As of now, the reasons behind Yavari’s arrest and her current whereabouts remain unknown.

Teacher Union Activist Soleiman Abdi Receives Eight-Month Prison Sentence

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Saqqez, Soleiman Abdi, Teacher union activist, Ziviyeh

Soleiman Abdi, a member of the Teachers’ Trade Association in Saqqez and Ziviyeh, has been handed an eight-month prison sentence by the Saqqez Revolutionary Court, according to reports from Kurdpa.

Abdi was found guilty of “propaganda against the regime.”
In a separate legal case, the Criminal Court of Saqqez convicted him of “disrupting public order and safety,” resulting in an initial sentence of eight months in prison and 70 lashes. However, this sentence was later commuted to 720-hour community service, with the flogging punishment suspended for two years.

On March 19, 2023, security forces apprehended Abdi at his residence, and he was subsequently released on bail from Saqqez prison on April 10, 2023.
Soleiman Abdi has faced prior arrests related to his activities as a teacher union activist.