Category: Freedom of Expression

Foad Choobin Arrested in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Artin Rahmani, Foad Choobin, Izeh

On April 11, 2023, security forces arrested Foad Choobin in Izeh and took him to an undisclosed location. His nephew, Artin Rahmani, was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests in Izeh.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 11, 2023, Foad Choobin was arrested in Izeh, Khuzestan Province.
Hengameh Choobin, his sister and Artin Rahmani’s mother, stated that the agents did not show any arrest warrant and arrested him violently.

The allegations against Choobin remain unknown.

Choobin’s relative, Artin Rahmani, was fatally shot in the head by security forces during the protests in Izeh.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Journalist Hassan Abbasi Faces Legal Action for Report on Retired Sailors

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, Hassan Abbasi, Hormozgan

Hassan Abbasi, a journalist, is facing legal action after the Bandar-Abbas Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare filed a complaint against him regarding his report on retired sailors. The report in question dealt with the issues faced by retired sailors of the Hormozgan Shipping Company.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Hassan Abbasi faced legal action for making a report on the issues of retired sailors of the Hormozgan Shipping Company.

Abbasi stated that he has also been summoned to the police station for allegations that include disturbing public order, insulting individuals, causing terror, destroying government properties, filming a government facility, and publishing it online.

Moreover, in March 2023, the prosecutor of Bandar-Abbas filed a complaint against Abbasi for his criticism of the judiciary.

Abbasi has previously faced other legal actions for his work as a journalist.

Mohammad-Reza Morad Behroozi Goes on Hunger Strike in Protest against New Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Mohammad-Reza Morad Behroozi, Qazvin prison, Soori Babai Chegini

Mohammad-Reza Morad Behroozi, who is currently serving his sentence in Qazvin Prison, has recently started a hunger strike to protest against new charges brought against him while in prison. He is also being denied phone calls and family visitation.

In this new legal case, Branch 102 of the Criminal Court of Mohammadiyeh has sentenced Morad Behroozi to ten months for “disturbing public opinions” and eight months and ten days for “inciting people to act against public modesty.” He has also been banned from leaving the country for two years, and his cell phone has been confiscated.

His wife, Soori Babai Chegini, has also been sentenced to one month for “demonstrating a Haram act” and six months for “inciting people to act against public modesty,” and her cell phone has been confiscated as well.

The charges against them stem from publishing pictures without wearing Hijab on their personal pages on social media.

If these verdicts are upheld on appeal, Morad Behroozi will serve ten months in prison, while Babai Chegini will serve six months, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

According to an informed source, Behroozi is facing a charge of “propaganda against the regime” in the second part of his legal case. He has also been charged with spreading falsehoods due to the dissemination of his voice recording from prison. This same source stated that Behroozi had been beaten by prison officials.

In protest against these new charges, Behroozi started a hunger strike.

Behroozi was arrested on August 21, 2021, at his house after posting a video on social media in which he criticized the Supreme Leader for banning Covid-19 vaccines from other countries.
In a trial held in absentia, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Qazvin, headed by Judge Esmail Amini, sentenced Behroozi to one year in prison on the charge of “offensive statements against the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

 

 

Iran Protests: Eleven Defendants Sentenced to a Total of 79 Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moazzami Goodarzi, Amin-Mehdi Shokrollai, Amir-Mohammad Jafari, Arian Farzamnia, Farzaneh Ghareh-Hassanlou, Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou, hayan Charani, Hossein Mohammadi, Karaj, Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammad Hosseini, Mohammad-Amin Akhlaghi Savojbolaghi, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, Reza Aria

The Chief Justice of Alborz Province announced that eleven defendants of a legal case, known as “the murder of a Basij militia force Ruhollah Ajamian,” have been sentenced to a total of 79 years in prison. The charges against three other co-defendants were dropped, and they were released after being pardoned. These people were previously arrested over the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim news agency, 11 people, arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests, were sentenced to a total of 79 years in prison.

Without mentioning the charges, the Chief Justice of Alborz Province stated that according to this verdict, Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou was sentenced to 15 years, Reza Aria, Hossein Mohammadi, Mehdi Mohammadi and Arian Farzamnia to ten years, Mohammad-Amin Akhlaghi Savojbolaghi, Amin-Mehdi Shokrollai and Farzaneh Ghareh-Hassanlou, to five years, and Shayan Charani, Amir-Mohammad Jafari and Ali Moazzami Goodarzi to three years.

With re-examination, the charges against three other defendants, Behrad Ali Kenari, Javad Zargaran and Reza Shaker Zavardehi were changed from “spreading corruption on earth” to “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” Consequently, these defendants were granted pardons and set free.

“These verdicts are not finalized and defendants can bring an appeal to the Supreme Court within the deadline period,” he added.

On January 7, 2023, two other defendants of this legal case, Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini were executed.

These individuals were arrested in Karaj over the murder of a Basij militia force Ruhollah Ajamian” during the protest.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

 

Former Political Prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh

On April 17, 2023, security forces arrested former political prisoner Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh in Tehran and took him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 17, 2023, Mosayeb Raisi Yeganeh was arrested in Tehran.

The location of his detention and allegations are still unknown.

Yeganeh was also arrested by security forces over protests, for a short time on February 25, 2023.

The Ministry of Intelligence agents previously arrested Yeganeh in September 2017. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years imprisonment for “propaganda against the regime, blasphemy, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” This verdict was upheld on appeal. Ultimately, on February 4, 2020, he was jailed in Evin Prison to serve his sentence.

After the fire incident at Evin Prison on October 15, 2022, Yeganeh was relocated to Rajai Shahr Prison, and after a while, he was released from jail without prior notice.

 

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Journalist Elaheh Mohammadi Still Detained After Six Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elaheh Mohammadi, Ham-Mihan, Mahsa Amini, Qarchak Prison, Saeed Para, Varamin

Elaheh Mohammadi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Ham-Mihan, has been in detention for over six months in Qarchak Prison, Varamin, with an unclear status regarding due process.

Mohammadi’s husband, Saeed Para, stated, “Her lawyer does not have access to the legal files… no matter how much we tried, we did not receive any answers from the officials. From the prosecutor’s office to the court, they all breach the procedural law.”

“We met with as many officials as we could and waited for hours and days in front of Evin courthouse and judicial offices, we obtained even an urgent review order, but in the end, it went nowhere. Despite all promises, our request remains unanswered, and we are still at square one,” Parsa added.

On September 29, 2022, security forces arrested Mohammadi following her travel to Saqqez and publishing a report on the funeral of Mahsa Amini.

About 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. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Iran Protests: Three Members of Family Still Detained in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardavan Fallahi, Arghvan Fallahi, Evin Prison, moharebeh, Nasrollah Fallahi, Tehran, the 2022 Nationwide Protests

Nasrollah Fallahi and his son and daughter, Ardavan and Arghavan, are still detained in Evin Prison, awaiting further legal proceedings. They were arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three members of a family, arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests, are in detention in Evin prison with an unclear status of due prosses.

According to attorney Erfan Karam-Veisi, they have been charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” “spreading corruption on earth through widespread actions against the country” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime.” This lawyer said that judicial officials did not allow him to represent this family.
Also, an informed source close to this family told HRANA, “The Investigation Office has held two sessions so far. However, they have not yet been indicted.”
On November 3, 2022, Ardavan Fallahi, age 24, was arrested in Isfahan and his father, age 66, and sister, age 22, the next day in Shiraz. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Abbas Sharifi Arrested in Behshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Sharifi, Behshahr, he 2022 nationwide protests, Sari

On April 11, Abbas Sharifi, a resident of Behshahr, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents and taken to a detention facility in Sari. He was previously arrested amid the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 11, 2023, Abbas Sharifi was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents.

Abbas Sharifi’s brother, Mohammad Sharifi, stated, “IRGC intelligence agents arrested my brother at his home and took him to a detention facility in Sari.”

On October 1, 2022, security forces arrested Sharifi violently in Sari and transferred him to Sari Prison after seven days of holding him in a detention facility.

On November 13, 2022, the Sari Revolutionary Court sentenced Sharifi to 43 months in prison. On March 1, he was released on bail.

About the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During the nationwide protests, about 19600 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Journalist Saeed Seyf-Ali Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asal Esmailzadeh, Didban Iran news outlet, Evin Courthouse, Saeed Seyf-Ali

Saeed Seyf-Ali, the managing editor of the Didban Iran news outlet, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist Saeed Seyf-Ali was arrested by security forces.

Asal Esmailzadeh, Seyf-Ali’s wife, stated that her husband went to the courthouse on Tuesday, April 11, to inquire about his case, but was subsequently arrested. She added that she has not been informed about his whereabouts or the security institutions responsible for his arrest.

Earlier on January 7, 2023, Seyf-Ali was arrested after an appearance at Evin Courthouse and was released on bail of one billion Toman after eight days.

The reason for his arrest, his current location, and the specific allegations against him are still unknown.

 

Golrokh Iraee Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, golrokh iraee, Iman Afshari

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced former political prisoner Golrokh Iraee to seven years and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee was sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Iraee to six years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition, she has been banned from leaving the country, travelling to Tehran, and joining political and civil groups for two years. Her cell phone has also been confiscated by the court.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years in prison for the first charge will be enforceable.

An informed source close to her family told HRANA, “the Judge sentenced Golrokh to six years despite the maximum five years sentence for the charge of assembly and collusion, determined in the Islamic penal code. The judge cited the possibility of reoffending as the reason for the longer sentence, even though Iraee has never been convicted of this crime in her previous legal cases.”

“Iraee and her family were told by security and judicial officials that the only way to avoid incarceration is to submit a written request for a pardon, which Iraee has repeatedly refused to do. As a result, Judge Afshsari has refused to grant her bail,” the source added.

On September 26, 2022, security forces arrested Iraee violently at her home in Tehran.

Iraee faced other arrests and convictions on prior occasions. In the last case, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to three years and seven months, which was upheld later on appeal. Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years and one month was enforceable.

Also earlier, in April 2021, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her in absentia to one year and additional punishments for “propaganda against the regime.” She was released on Amol Perison on May 9, 2022.