Category: Freedom of Expression

Four School Students Arrested in Bonab and Bushehr

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Vali-Mohammadi, Ashkan Javidfar, Azar Badiee, Bonab, Sadegh Zendeh Boodi, Tabriz

Recently, security forces arrested four school students during nationwide protests in Bonab and Bushehr.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three school students identified as Azar Badiee, Ashkan Javidfar and Ali Vali-Mohammadi in Bonab, East Azerbaijan Province.

According to an informed source, they were arrested for chanting slogans at school. They and beaten by security forces and taken to Tabriz Correctional Center.

The intelligence agents also arrested Javidfar’s father when he quarreled with them over his son.

The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations also reported the arrest of a school student identified as Sadegh Zendeh Boodi. Security forces arrested him before his parents’ house and took him to an unidentified location.

Arash Ramezani Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Ramezani, Mashhad

On October 23, 2022, security forces arrested writer Arash Ramezani in Mashhad and took him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, writer Arash Ramezani was arrested in Mashhad.

According to an informed source, Ramezani was arrested at his workplace. The reason for this arrest and the charges are still unknown. Ramezani, living in Mashhad, has published two fiction books.

 

 

Three Teacher Union Activists Sentenced to a Total of 15 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Jafar Ebrahimi, mohammad habibi, Ramin Safarnia, Rasoul Bodaghi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Rasoul Bodaghi, Jafar Ebrahimi and Mohammad Habibi to a total of 15 years and one-month imprisonment as well as additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three teacher union activists Rasoul Bodaghi, Jafar Ebrahimi and Mohammad Habibi were sentenced to over 15 years in prison.

Attorney Ramin Safarnia wrote on social media, “Bodaghi was sentenced to four years and six months on the charge of ‘assembly and collusion’ and one year on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime’. For Jafar Ebrahimi, the sentences for the exact charges are four years and one year, respectively. Mohammad Habibi received three years and seven months on the first charge and one year on the charge.”

Moreover, all three defendants were banned from leaving the country and membership in civil and political groups.

 

Abbas Deris Sentenced to Death

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abbas Deris, Freshteh Tabanian, Mohsen Deris, November Protests

The revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Abbas Deris to death. Abbas Deris was arrested during the November protests in 2019. His brother and codefendant Mohsen Deris was acquitted of the charges.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Abbas Deris was sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh).

Confirming this news on social media, his lawyer, Freshteh Tabanian commented, “We will bring an appeal to the Supreme Court hoping the sentence will be overturned.”

In November 2019, an increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across the country. The spokesperson of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Seyed Hossein Taghavi, announced that 7000 people were arrested during these protests. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by the security apparatus.

57 People Arrested During the Protests in Zahedan

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Freedom of Expression, News
nationwide protests, Zahedan

The Sistan and Baluchestan chief of the police announced that today, October 21, 57 people were arrested during the protests in Zahedan. He claimed that all leaders and provocateurs have been identified and will soon be apprehended.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Fars News Agency, on October 21, 2022, 57 protestors were arrested in Zahedan.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, over 1200 people, including journalists, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protests across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

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Seven Individuals Arrested in Abdanan and Piranshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdanan, Ali Soleimani, Esmail Bavir, Ilam province, Mahmood Bazdar, Mohammad Zini Vand, Piranshahr, Sanoor Ghaderi, Sattar Zeidi, Zana Khoshaman

On October 20, 2022, security forces arrested a cleric, Zana Khoshaman and his wife, Sanoor Ghaderi, in Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, quoting Kurdpa, cleric Zana Khoshaman and his wife Sanoor Ghaderi were arrested in Piranshahr.

The security forces reportedly raided this couple’s house and arrested them without showing any arrest warrant.
 
In another report, five individuals identified as Esmail Bavir, Mohammad Zini Vand, Sattar Zeidi, Ali Soleimani and Mahmood Bazdar were arrested in Abdanan, Ilam Province. The reason for these arrests is still unknown.

 

Poet Saeed Heleichi Arrested in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Saeed Heleichi

On October 19, 2022, security forces arrested poet Saeed Heleichi at his father’s house in Ahvaz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on October 19, 2022, poet, translator and environmental activist Saeed Heleichi was arrested in Ahvaz.

Heleichi faced other arrests due to his civil activities especially his criticism over a water transfer project causing the drying up of the Karun river and adjacent marshes.

The reason for this arrest, the charges and his whereabouts are still unknown.

 

Journalist Farkhandeh Ashoori Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farkhandeh Ashoori, Shiraz

On October 17, security forces arrested journalist Farkhandeh Ashoori at her house in Shiraz and transferred her to an unidentified location. She has not yet contacted her family.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on October 17, 2022, journalist Farkhandeh Ashoori was arrested in Shiraz.

An informed source told HRANA that at the time of arrest, the agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings.
 
“Recently, she had expressed her support of nationwide protests on her page on social media,” the source added.

 

Growing Concerns about Baha’i Prisoner Badi Khazei Following Evin Prison Fire

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Badi Khazei, Baha'i, Evin Prison fire

Since the Evin Prison fire, Baha’i prisoner Badi Khazei has not yet contacted his family. His family’s frequent inquiry has remained unanswered by prison officials.

An informed source told HRANA that, last week, Khazei travelled to Tehran from Bandar Abbas for some administrative work. On October 7 or 8, several plainclothes agents arrested him in the street and took him to Great Tehran Penitentiary. They transferred him to Evin prison once they realized he was a Baha’i. Since the Evin Prison incident on October 15, he has not contacted his family.

Journalist Mandana Sadeghi and Reza Mohammadi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mandana Sadeghi, Reza Mohammadi

On October 19, 2022, security forces arrested writer and journalist Mandana Sadeghi and her husband Reza Mohammadi at their house in Abadan. The agents transferred them to Ahvaz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on October 19, Mandana Sadeghi and Reza Mohammadi were arrested.
 
The reason for this arrest and the charges are still unknown.
 
In March of this year, Sadeghi was acquitted of “propaganda against the regime” by the Criminal Court of Ahvaz.