Category: Freedom of Expression

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.

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.

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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.

Mohammad-Reza Bashang Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bashang, Mohammad-Reza Bashang, Tehran

On October 17, 2023, security forces apprehended Mohammad-Reza Bashang in Tehran and transported him to an undisclosed facility.

HRANA learned of this incident through a source with close connections to his family. Despite their repeated inquiries, judicial and security officials have yet to disclose Bashang’s whereabouts or condition.

Bashang had previously been arrested by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending five months in detention as a result.

As of now, the cause behind Bashang’s recent arrest, his current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain veiled in uncertainty, deepening concerns over his well-being and the transparency of the legal process.

Lawyer Saleh Nikbakht Receives One-Year Sentence and Social Media Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eskandar Lotfi, Jafar Panahi, Mahsa Amini, Masoud Nikkhah, Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, Saleh Nikbakht, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Saleh Nikbakht has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and faces restrictions on his social media activities.

Presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, the Tehran Revolutionary Court delivered this verdict to Nikbakht for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, he has been prohibited from engaging in social media activities for a duration of two years.

According to sources cited by HRANA, Nikbakht’s refusal to accept the forensic report concerning the cause of Mahsa Amini’s death was cited as evidence supporting this charge. Nikbakht, who served as Amini’s lawyer, found himself embroiled in this legal case following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Intelligence, primarily due to his interviews with media outlets outside Iran.

On March 11, 2023, Nikbakht was indicted at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Nikbakht has represented Mahsa Amini and several political prisoners, including Jafar Panahi, Eskandar Lotfi, and Masoud Nikkhah, in legal matters.

Leila Hosseinzadeh Faces New Legal Case

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Evin Courthouse, Leila Hosseinzadeh, Shiraz

Former political prisoner Leila Hosseinzadeh is confronted with a new legal case brought forth by the prosecutor’s offices of Evin Courthouse.

Hosseinzadeh stands accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

On August 20, 2022, security forces arrested Hosseinzadeh in front of her residence in Tehran and subsequently detained her in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. During the arrest, she was beaten by the agents. She was later relocated to a detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No. 100, and subsequently to Adelabad Prison.

On January 4, 2023, Hosseinzadeh was once again transferred to Evin Prison. After five days, she was granted release on bail.

Leila Hosseinzadeh, a student activist from the University of Tehran, has a documented history of previous arrests and convictions tied to her activism.