Category: Freedom of Expression

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afashari, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Tehran, Varamin

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a one-year prison sentence to journalist Nazila Maroufian.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afashari found Maroufian guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a one-year imprisonment and a fine of 15 million tomans.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially apprehended by security forces and confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Later, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison but was eventually released on temporary bail after paying 600 million tomans (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence on Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “disseminating propaganda against the regime and spreading false information to manipulate public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” In addition to the suspended sentence, she was fined and received a five-year travel ban.

On July 4, security forces conducted a search and raid at her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and returned to Evin Prison following her appearance at the courthouse. After some time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

On August 14, she was once again arrested and held for two days in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Then, on August 30, security forces apprehended her at her residence in Tehran, during which she experienced physical mistreatment.

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

Civil Rights Activist Sepideh Gholian Receives One Year and Three Months Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, Dezful, Evin Prison, HRANA, Sepideh Gholian, Sepideh Qolian, Shamseddin Jalili Piran

The Tehran Criminal Court has handed down a one-year-and-three-month sentence to civil rights activist Sepideh Gholian (Qolian).

Presiding over the court, Judge Shamseddin Jalili Piran sentenced Gholian for her alleged involvement in “removing hijab, facilitating indecency, and persisting in committing criminal acts.” The detention period served prior to the trial will be deducted from her prison term.

The court session took place behind closed doors on August 22, 2023. The case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, an Iran-state TV reporter with connections to security agencies as an interrogator.

It is worth noting that Gholian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. In her most recent legal case in May 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Gholian of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of custody. Alongside her imprisonment, she faced restrictions that included a ban on joining political or social groups, limitations on cell phone usage, and a two-year prohibition from entering Tehran and its neighboring provinces.

Following her release from Evin Prison, Gholian was re-arrested on March 15, 2023, while traveling from Tehran to Dezful. Initially detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was subsequently transferred to the Women’s Ward within the facility four days later.

Ramin Ghashghaie Receives Six-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Choobindar Prison, Nik Shahr, Qazvin, Ramin Ghashghaie, Ramin Ghashghaie Garbachi

Ramin Ghashghaie Garbachi, a resident of Qazvin, has been sentenced to six years in prison by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court. The sentence also includes a travel ban and mandatory residence in Nik Shahr, Sistan and Baluchestan province, for two years.

The verdict stipulates that Ghashghaie is given five years for “assembly and collusion to act crime and against national security,” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” If the verdict stands after appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will enforce the five-year imprisonment.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, five years imprisonment as per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code will be enforceable.

Ghashghaie was apprehended by security forces in Qazvin on March 12, 2023, and spent approximately two months in detention at Choobindar Prison before being released on bail.

Multiple Individuals Detained in Zahedan by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
coerced confessions iran, Tasnim, Zahedan

As reported by Tasnim, a news agency affiliated with security institutions, several individuals in Zahedan have been apprehended by security forces on allegations of supporting “anti-regime groups.” Additionally, news channels associated with security institutions have released a video featuring the confessions of two of these detainees.

The arrests are said to be linked to an incident in which these individuals raised an Iran flag bearing the Lion and Sun emblem in a public space, signifying their support for monarchist opposition.
The report indicates that the detainees were part of a four-member team. However, the identities of the individuals and the specific location of their detention remain undisclosed.

The Iranian regime consistently employs the tactic of airing forced confessions from detainees as a means of advancing its propaganda and instilling fear. These confessions, obtained under conditions of duress and through mistreatment, have garnered strong condemnation from international human rights organizations and are unequivocally regarded as grave violations of fundamental human rights.

Hamid-Reza Gharibi Detained in Saveh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamid-Reza Gharibi, HRANA, Saveh

Hamid-Reza Gharibi has been apprehended by security forces in Saveh and moved to an undisclosed location.

According to a source familiar with the Gharibi family’s situation, who shared the information with HRANA, the arrest occurred during the current week by the Ministry of Intelligence agents. Concerns regarding his safety and well-being have emerged as his family remains unaware of his current condition.

Gharibi had previously expressed his discontent with the state of affairs in a video published on social media. In the video, he criticized the Supreme Leader, citing issues like frequent power outages, governmental inefficiency, and the alleged failure to allocate unblocked funds from a recent deal with the U.S. for the betterment of citizens’ lives.

At present, the exact charges leveled against Gharibi remain unknown.

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Afshin Naziri Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Afshin Naziri, Evin Prison, Tehran

In a recent development, Afshin Naziri was apprehended by security forces in Tehran on August 29 and subsequently confined to Evin Prison.

According to accounts, Naziri’s arrest transpired at his Tehran residence, where six plainclothes agents conducted the apprehension. His family was informed by the security forces that he would be prohibited from communicating with the outside world, including phone calls and visitations, for ten days.
The motives behind this arrest and the charges brought against him remain unknown at this time.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Tehran

Journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested on August 30, 2023, at her residence in Tehran by security forces. The subsequent transfer of Maroufian to the Ershad Courthouse unfolded amidst distressing circumstances, as she reportedly endured physical mistreatment during the apprehension.

According to a source close to her family, on Wednesday morning, security forces forcibly entered Maroufian’s residence, breaking down the door. The incident escalated as Maroufian was subjected to physical aggression. The agents confiscated some of her personal belongings and transferred her to the Ershad Courthouse for further proceedings.

Maroufian’s family is now facing a demand of a two-billion-Toman bail (equivalent to approximately 40,000 dollars) for her potential release, as stated by the source.

The security-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, cited “promoting abominable acts” as the primary basis for Maroufian’s arrest. Specifically, the agency reported that her public appearance in attire deemed inappropriate and the subsequent sharing of a corresponding photograph on social media were cited as pivotal factors that prompted the issuance of her arrest warrant by the Ershad Courthouse.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.

On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

On August 14, she was re-arrested and detained for two days in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.
Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

Amir-Hossein Balali Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Amir-Hossein Balali, Tehran

Amir-Hossein Balali, a former student activist, has been apprehended by security forces and moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Emtedad Online.

The arrest of Balali took place at his residence in Tehran, where authorities conducted a search and seized several of his personal items. As of now, details about his location and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.

Court of Appeal Upholds Eight-Year Sentence for Farhad Hafezi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Hafezi, Farhad Hafezi Semnani, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld an eight-year sentence against Farhad Hafezi Semnani (Azarm). Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a five-year prison term will be enforceable.

Originally, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had issued a verdict of five years on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and an additional two years for “insulting former and current Supreme Leaders of Iran.”

Numerous University Professors Face Expulsions and Suspensions Ahead of Mahsa Amini Protests Anniversary

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Sharifi Zarchi, Amaneh Ali, Arash Bidollah Khani, Azin Movahed, Aziz Shafiee Zarghani, Baharak Akhtardanesh, Dariush Rahmanian, Ghasem Azizi, Hamideh Khademi, Hossein Mesbahian, Javad Bashari, Leily Varahram, Mehdi Khoyi, Mehdi Motie, Milad Azimi, Mohammad Soltani, Mohammad-Mehdi Olumi, Mohammad-Reza Nazari-Nejad, Raham Afghani, Raheleh Ali-Moradzadeh, Shirzad Azad, Vahid Eydgah

As the anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests, known as the Mahsa Amini Protests, approaches, Iranian academic circles are witnessing increased pressure from security institutions. A rising number of university professors are being expelled or suspended under various justifications.

Currently, HRANA has documented 22 university professors who have been affected, facing expulsion or suspension.

The roster of professors targeted due to their perceived involvement in supporting last year’s protests is as follows:

  • Mohammad-Reza Nazari-Nejad-expelled
  • Raham Afghani-expelled
  • Ali Sharifi Zarchi-expelled
  • Dariush Rahmanian-expelled
  • Hamideh Khademi-expelled
  • Amaneh Ali-expelled
  • Mehdi Khoyi-expelled
  • Aziz Shafiee Zarghani-expelled
  • Baharak Akhtardanesh-expelled
  • Mohammad-Mehdi Olumi-expelled
  • Raheleh Ali-Moradzadeh-expelled
  • Vahid Eydgah-suspended
  • Javad Bashari-suspended
  • Milad Azimi-suspended
  • Leily Varahram-suspended
  • Ghasem Azizi-suspended
  • Hossein Mesbahian-suspended
  • Arash Bidollah Khani-suspended
  • Shirzad Azad-suspended
  • Azin Movahed-suspended
  • Mehdi Motie-suspended
  • Mohammad Soltani-suspended

Moreover, Safavardi, a former professor of political science at Islamic Azad University, revealed that nine professors have been compelled into early retirement due to reasons such as holding pro-Western opinions and expressing dissent against the Islamic Revolution. He did not, however, mention their names.

Just last month, Sharifi Zarchi, a faculty member at the Sharif University of Technology, exposed the covert infiltration of approximately 15,000 individuals purportedly “aligned with the government” into faculty boards. In protest against these actions targeting Iranian academics, Mohammad-Reza Aref, the head of the Union of University Professors (and a former Vice President of Iran), tendered his resignation.

Two days ago, the Ministry of Interior expressed approval of the Ministry of Science’s decision to dismiss university professors, asserting that this action aligns with legal, administrative criteria, and “the revolutionary duty to sustain the vibrancy of universities’ academic and cultural landscapes”, warranting appreciation. Furthermore, these professors were accused of “politicizing and exploiting their positions for political and partisan gains.”

It is crucial to note that the Iranian regime has a historical record of purging both students and professors, particularly in humanities and arts faculties, who express criticism towards the regime. In a report, Etemad Newspaper has identified 157 university professors who were expelled over the course of the last three administrations.

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.