Category: Freedom of Expression

Navid Kohnehpushi Arrested in Mariwan

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Mariwan, Navid Kohnehpushi

On August 3, 2022, agents arrested Navid Kohnehpushi after his appearance at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Mariwan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Navid Kohnehpushi was arrested in Mariwan.

 Kohnehpushi informed his family that he was detained in a detention facility controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence.

The reason for this arrest and the charges are unknown so far. 

Navid Kohnehpushi, age 31, is an environmental activist and a resident of a village in Mariwan, Kurdistan Province.

Sepideh Rashno Hospitalized Prior to Forced TV Confession

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Women
hejab, Sepideh Rashno, Taleghani hospital

An informed source has revealed to HRANA that detained artist Sepideh Rashno had been hospitalized due to the risk of internal bleeding, which raised the question as to whether she was tortured to make confession aired on July 30. 

On July 16, security forces arrested Rashno after a quarrel on a city bus with a woman who harassed and assaulted her for what she deemed improper hejab. 

The informed source told HRANA, “Overnight, a lot of agents took Rashno to the Taleghani Hospital in Tehran for a possible internal bleeding caused by assault.”

A few days after the hospitalisation, Iran’s State TV broadcast Rashno’s forced confession. A picture on social media showing Rashno’s paled face and circles around her eye raised concern about her health condition. So far, she has been denied access to a lawyer and the charges against her are unknown.

Rashno is in custody for her resistance and confrontation against an individual who was enforcing the hejab code in public transportation, a practice which is praised by the Iranian authorities.

Teacher Union Activist Ahmad Taghavi Sentenced to Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Naghavi, Ahmad Taghavi

Branch 103 of the Criminal Court of Abhar has sentenced teacher union activist Ahmad Taghavi (Naghavi) to one year in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Independent Iranian Workers Union, teacher Union Activist Ahmad Taghavi was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. Taghavi was arrested on April 25, 2022. 

Civil Activist Farangis Mazloum Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Farangis Mazloum, Soheil Arabi

On August 2, 2022, civil activist Farangis Mazloum was taken to Evin Prison to serve her 18-months sentence. Mazloum is the mother of former prisoner of conscience Soheil Arabi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 2, 2022, civil activist Farangis Mazloum started her sentencing in Evin Prison.

On October 19, 2021, Mazloum appeared at Evin Judgement Enforcement Unit to start sentencing. However, the deputy prosecutor refused to imprison her due to her old age and asked the forensics for an imprisonment intolerance certificate.

On July 22, 2019, Farangis Mazloum was arrested at her sister’s home and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On October 8, 2019, she was released on bail of 250 million tomans until the end of legal proceedings.

Initially, the Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran held the trial in absentia and sentenced Mazloum to six years imprisonment. Six other individuals related to this case were also sentenced to imprisonment. After Mazloum’s objection, in a retrial, Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on August 25 and 28 2020 changed the sentence to 18 months in prison. This verdict was confirmed on appeal.

Teacher and Azerbaijani Turk Activist Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard Arrested

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Khoda Afarin, Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard, Yashar Ghahremani Fard

On August 1, 2022, security forces arrested Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard, a teacher and Azerbaijani Turk Activist, in Khoda Afarin County, East Azerbaijan Province. The agents searched his house and transferred him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on August 1, 2022, teacher and Azerbaijani Turk Activist Shokrollah Ghahremani Fard was arrested.

Ghahremani Fard’s son, Yashar Ghahremani Fard informed the public about the arrest of his father on social media, “Over 8 intelligence agents raided our house, searched and confiscated some of my father’s belongings and took my father. Still, we do not have any information about his whereabouts.”

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Shia Cleric Vahid Heroabadi Excommunicated and Sentenced 

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Shia cleric, Vahid Heroabadi

The Special Clerical Court sentenced Shia cleric Vahid Heroabadi to two years in prison. Additionally, he was excommunicated from the clerical establishment and banned from leaving the country for two years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Shia cleric Vahid Heroabadi was sentenced to two years in prison for “spreading falsehood and propaganda against the regime on social media.” He was later acquitted of the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran”.

According to an informed source, another legal case has also been opened against Heroabadi for his protest against a foreign political figure visiting Iran.

On June 1, 2022, Heroabadi was arrested at the border while attempting to leave the country. Two weeks later, he was released on bail. 

In a previous legal case, the court of appeals sentenced Heroabadi to one year in prison for “spreading falsehood and disturbing public opinion” and fined him for “dishonoring the clergy”.

Maryam Karim-Beigi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison, Flagellation, Paying a Court Fine

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Maryam Karim-Beigi, Maryam Karimbeigi, Mostafa Karim-Beigi, Mostafa Karimbeigi, Shahnaz Akmali

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran has sentenced Maryam Karim-Beigi to five years in prison, 74 lashes and a fine. If the verdict is confirmed on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, three years and seven months for one charge will be enforceable. Karim Beigi’s brother, Mostafa Karim-Beigi,  is one of the individuals that the security forces killed during the 2009 protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Maryam Karim-Beigi was sentenced to five years imprisonment, 74 lashes, and a fine payable to the court.

Karim-Beigi’s mother, Shahnaz Akmali broke the news on social media, saying that her daughter has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for meeting an Iranian singer. Karim-Beigi has also been sentenced to one year on the charge of propaganda against the regime and one year for having alcoholic beverages in her possession.

On April 10, 2022, Karim-Beigi was expelled from the university she was attending. On June 14, 2022, the security forces arrested Karim-Beigi at her house and transferred her to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. She was released on 700 million tomans bail on July 9.

Workers’ Rights Activist Hirad Pirbodaghi Imprisoned

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News

On July 30, 2022, workers’ rights activist Hirad Pirbodaghi was arrested at his house and taken to Evin Prison to serve his four-year sentence. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Hirad Pirbodaghi started his sentencing at Evin Prison.

An informed source told HRANA: “over five agents broke the door, raided the house and arrested Pirbodaghi. Later, he made a phone call to his family and informed them that he is held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison. He was arrested for sentencing even though he had not been summoned and was still awaiting the Court of Appeal’s decision”.

In March 2022, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Pirbodaghi to four years and eight months in prison, no membership in political parties and groups for two years, and not leaving the country for two years. If the verdict is confirmed on appeal, four years imprisonment will be enforceable for him.

Pirbodaghi was arrested with  Asal Mohammadi on November 6, 2021.

Shadi Dargahi Arrested in Mariwan

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Iraj Rahimzadeh, Shadi Dargahi

On July 28, Shadi Dargahi was arrested after an appearance at the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Marivan, Kurdistan Province. Dargahi’s husband, Iraj Rahimzadeh, was also transferred from a detention facility in Sanandaj to Mariwan Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on July 28, in Mariwan, the Ministry of Intelligence’s office summoned Shadi Dargahi for interrogation when she was arrested and transferred to Sanandaj Correctional Center.

Three Teachers Arrested in Divandareh

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News

On July 26, 2022, security forces arrested three teachers during a protest in front of the Ministry of Education in Divandareh and transferred them to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, three teachers, Mohyedin Karimian, Asa’ad Alavi and Kurosh Babamoradi were arrested in Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province.

These teachers had gathered with others to protest against the detention of five Divandarreh Teachers’ Trade Union Association members who are detained for over a month.