Category: Freedom of Expression

Reza Rasaei Receives Death Sentence Amidst Controversial Charges

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
IRGC’s intelligence, Kermanshah, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh

Reza Rasaei, one of the participants in the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in connection with a legal case related to the “killing of the head of the IRGC’s intelligence of Sahneh County.”

According to Kurdpa, Rasaei has been found guilty of involvement in the death of Nader Beirami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County. Additional charges against Rasaei include causing non-lethal injuries, using a knife, and disrupting public order.

Critically, the court’s decision appears to have relied on a confession extracted under duress during Rasaei’s detention.

Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. After completing the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.

Several other protesters involved in a demonstration on November 18, 2022, are also facing charges related to their alleged role in the death of the IRGC’s intelligence officer. During this protest, several protestors were also killed by police and security forces.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, aged 34, is known as a Yarsan follower and a resident of Sahneh County.

Student Mohammad Navid Badami Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ali Mazloum, Mohammad Navid Badami, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of one year in prison and 74 lashes to Mohammad Navid Badami, a student at Shahid Beheshti University, with seven months of the prison term being suspended.

Presiding over the court, Judge Ali Mazloum found Badami guilty of “disturbing public order.”

On May 20, 2023, Badami was apprehended by security forces during a student gathering protesting the death sentences issued against three defendants in a case known as “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House).” He was subsequently released on bail on June 12, 2023.

It is crucial to note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Mazandaran, Mohammad Moradi Kia-Pey, Sari

The Court of Appeal in Mazandaran Province has confirmed the initial six-year prison sentence and travel ban imposed on Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey, a resident of Sari.

Initially, Moradi Kia-pay was sentenced to five years for “inciting actions against national security through activities on social media” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.”

Among the items seized were technical and telecommunications equipment, as well as SIM cards. Additionally, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without restrictions.

On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. Subsequently, he was detained in a facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.

Moradi Kia-Pey had a prior encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted amnesty through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after approximately 30 days of confinement.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s Prison Sentence Confirmed on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahar, East Azerbaijan province, Saleh Mola-Abbasi, Tabriz Prison

The Court of Appeal for East Azerbaijan Province has upheld a 91-day prison sentence for Azerbaijani-Turk activist Saleh Mola-Abbasi.

Earlier this year, in July, Mola-Abbasi was initially handed this verdict on charges of “disseminating false information to disrupt public order.”

Saleh Mola-Abbasi’s arrest occurred at his residence in Ahar on October 9, 2022, when he was apprehended by security forces. Following approximately one month of incarceration in Tabriz Prison, he was released on bail, which amounted to 1.2 billion tomans. The court session that ultimately led to his sentencing took place on July 10, 2023.

It is noteworthy that Saleh Mola-Abbasi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activist endeavors.

Golestan Resident Detained Over Alleged Ties to Foreign Media

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fars News Agency, Golestan

In a recent development in Golestan Province, a local resident has been apprehended by security personnel on charges of “associating with foreign media” and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This information was reported by the Fars News Agency.

According to the news agency, which has ties to security institutions, the detainee is alleged to have engaged in activities aimed at inciting ethnic and religious tensions over the past two years. These activities purportedly involved posting content, associating with foreign media outlets, spreading misinformation, and defaming the government.

As of now, the identity of the detainee and the location of their detention remain undisclosed.

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Edris Menbari Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Edris Menbari, Nozhin

The Criminal Court of Sanandaj has issued a verdict, sentencing Edris Menbari, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, to a one-year prison term and 40 lashes.

Menbari was found guilty of “disturbing public order.” He is mandated to serve his sentence at Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah for a duration of one year, which includes time spent in custody.

The court session addressing Menbari’s charges took place on October 1, 2023, notably without the presence of his legal counsel.

Previously, on December 18, 2022, security forces apprehended Menbari at his residence in Sanandaj during the nationwide protests, and he was released on bail in February 2023.

Edris Menbari is a board member of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association.

It is important to highlight that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights expressly forbids flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

Minor Detained by Security Forces in Mahabad

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Pouya Khezri, Urmia

On October 10, Pouya Khezri, a minor resident of Mahabad, was apprehended within the city and subsequently transferred to a detention facility in Urmia, as per reports by Kurdpa.

The arrest of Khezri took place at his family’s residence, and notably, no arrest warrant was presented by the security forces.

The specific grounds for Khezri’s detention and the allegations against him remain

Student Arzhang Mortazavi Arrested Once Again in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arzhang Mortazavi, HRANA, Karaj, Kharazmi University

Arzhang Mortazavi, a student at Kharazmi University, found himself in the custody of security forces in Karaj on October 7th, where he was subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This marks his second arrest, following his previous detention during the 2022 nationwide protests.

A reliable source with close ties to Mortazavi’s family provided HRANA with information regarding his arrest at his residence. It has been reported that the agents conducted a search of his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Mortazavi had previously informed on social media about his summons to appear before the Public Security Police.

His initial arrest took place on December 17, 2022, in front of the university entrance. However, on February 21, 2023, he was released from the Central Prison of Karaj under the provisions of a general “pardon and commutation” directive.

In a separate development, late last month, Mortazavi received a suspension from the university for four semesters and was compelled to transfer to Damghan University.

Sakineh Parvaneh Sentenced to Seven-and-a-Half Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Mozafari, Khosro Alikurdi, Quchan, Sakineh Parvaneh, Sekineh Parvaneh, Vakilabad prison

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of seven years and six months in prison to Sakineh Parvaneh, a political prisoner currently detained in Vakilabad Prison.

Presiding over the case, Judge Hadi Mansouri conveyed the verdict to Parvaneh’s attorney, Khosro Alikurdi. She has been charged with multiple offenses, including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

According to information received by HRANA from a source, Alikurdi was not permitted to attend the court session.

Parvaneh was arrested in April 2023 by agents from the IRGC Intelligence, following her visit to the burial place of Ali Mozafari, one of the protestors killed during the nationwide protests in 2022, in Quchan. After spending 12 days in a detention facility, she was transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

It is important to note that Parvaneh has a prior arrest and conviction related to her activism. In her previous encounter with the security institutions, she was detained by IRGC Intelligence forces in the winter of 2020. Subsequently, she received a five-year prison sentence and a two-year prohibition from participating in political groups. However, in February 2023, she was granted amnesty and released in accordance with a general “pardon and commutation” directive.

Keyvan Rahimi Arrested in Saqqez

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Freedom of Expression, News
Keyvan Rahimi, Kurdpa, Saqqez

Keyvan Rahimi was apprehended by security forces on October 5, 2023, and subsequently taken to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Saqqez, according to a report by Kurdpa.

The grounds for his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed as of now.

In September-October 2021, Rahimi was handed an eight-month prison sentence by the Saqqez Revolutionary Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”