Sepideh Rashno Coerced to Make TV Confession

Official media outlets inside Iran have released a forced confession video of imprisoned artist Sepideh Rashno who 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.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  the regime authorities forced detained artist Sepideh Rashno to make a coerced TV confession, which is a common practice and a violation of the individual’s human rights

In this confession video, Rashno, whose hand had been injured during the quarrel, blamed herself instead of the attacker.

 A video has been circulating on social media showing a woman harassing Rashno and blaming her for an improper hejab at public transportation. After the video was published, security forces arrested Rashno. 

An informed source told HRANA, “Mrs Rashno was allowed a short phone call to one of her relatives, but she has not called her family. The judicial officials told her family that a legal case has been opened against her in Branch 3 of Evin Prosecutor’s Office”.

Sepideh Rashno, age 28, is a student of Tehran University and a resident of Khorramabad.

Milad Eftekhari Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

The Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced Milad Eftekhari to three years in prison and additional limitations. If confirmed on appeal, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years for one charge will be enforceable.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Eftekhari, who is a resident of Larestan, was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. He was also banned from leaving the county and on social media presence for two years.

On May 23, 2022, security forces arrested Eftekhari at his house and transferred him to Larestan Prison. During the arrest, the agents searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings. He was released later on a 100 million tomans bail.

On June 22, 2021, IRGC’s intelligence office summoned and interrogated Eftekhari for his criticisms of IRGC and the Supreme Leader on social media. He was later released after signing a pledge.

Eftekhari, age 26, is a resident of Larestan, Fars Province, and a graduate student in Communication Science from Tehran University.

Meysam Kazemi Jailed in Behbahan Prison 

On July 23, 2022, Meysam Kazemi was taken to Behbahan to serve a 15 months sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 23, 2022, Kazemi started his sentencing at the Behbahan Prison.

On  December 4, 2021, Kazemi was arrested and transferred to Behbahan Prison after appearing at Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Court, where he was accused of “circulating social media posts about the individuals arrested after Behbahan’s protest on July 16, 2020”.

Subsequently, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Bandar Mahshahr sentenced Kazemi to 22 months in prison, of which 7 months and 2 weeks were suspended. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, one year and three months of imprisonment is enforceable.

During the November 2019 protest, security forces in Behbahan City used live ammunition against the protestors, leading to the death of several protestors including Mehrdad Dashinia, Mahmood Dashtinia, Farzad Ansarifar, Mohammad-Hossein Ghanavati, and Mohammad Hashamdar.

Documentary Maker Hossein Dehbashi Sentenced 

Researcher and documentary maker Hossein Dehbashi was sentenced to six months in prison despite the fact that the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office had disagreed with the prosecution and closed the case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, history researcher and documentary maker Hossein Dehbashi was sentenced to six months in prison.

Dehbashi announced on his social media account that after declining the prosecution by the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office and the Computer Crimes Prosecutor’s Office and the final confirmation that the case is closed,  another court sentenced him to six months in prison.

In 2020, Dehbashi was charged with “spreading falsehood”, “propaganda against the regime” and ” insulting the clergy” as a result of a complaint brought by the Ministry of Intelligence.

In 2019, the Ministry of Health filed a complaint against Dehbashi for “disturbing public opinion”, for which he was sentenced to four months in prison, and the verdict was upheld on appeal.

Hossein Dehbashi is known for producing President Hassan Rouhani’s presidential campaign advertisements and documentaries such as “According to the Royal Court”. He has also produced “Oral History of Iran” for the National Library of Iran.

Man Arrested for Holding a Placard against Supreme Leader

A video circulated on social media shows a man standing over a telephone kiosk holding a placard with a slogan against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He was arrested immediately after.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security forces arrested a man for holding a placard.

The man was holding a placard with slogans against Iran’s Supreme Leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin written on it. Putin recently visited Iran for diplomatic talks with Iran and Turkey’s leaders in Tehran.

 

 

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Journalist Vahid Ashtari Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

The Criminal Court has sentenced journalist Vahid Ashtari to two years in prison and social deprivations.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the news outlet Dideban, the Criminal Court has sentenced journalist Vahid Ashtari to two years in prison, banned him from engaging in journalistic and social activities for two years.

Ashtari received this sentence for exposing the authorities’ corruption.

Human Rights Lawyer Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah Imprisoned

Security forces arrested former political prisoner and lawyer Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah and took him to Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 20, 2022, Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah was arrested and sent to Evin Prison.

Iman Piroozkhah, DadKhah’s colleague, broke the news on social media and wrote, “Long years after serving out his sentence for a legal case in 2008, he was arrested again under unlawful pretexts”.

In 2011, the Revolutionary Court sentenced Dadkhah to nine years in prison, 90 lashes, paying a fine and the suspension of his law license for ten years. 

Member of Iran’s Parliament Reveals Son’s Imprisonment

Mostafa Mirsalim, a member of Iran’s Parliament, revealed that his son Mehdi Mirsalim has been imprisoned on the charge of “acting against national security” since February 2021 in Evin prison. According to his father, Mehdi Mir-Salim was arrested in July of 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim, Mehdi Mirsalim is currently serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison.

Mostafa Mirsalim had claimed that his son was arrested after two years of surveillance in July 2019 and sentenced to five years on the charge of acting against national security and started his sentencing in February 2021. Mirsalim had claimed his son was arrested for his information and access privileges. 

Twelve Individuals Arrested in Tabriz, Naqadeh and Urmia

On July 16, 2022, security forces arrested twelve individuals in Tabriz, Naqadeh and Urmia.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security forces arrested Hakimeh Ahmadi (an Azerbaijani Turk Activist), Yunes Gholizadeh (an Azerbaijani Turk Activist), Jalal Dehghani, Hamid Pourvali,  Yunes Mahmoodi, and Emrahim Azaroghlu in Tabriz, Masoud Abbaszadeh in Naqdeh, and Hooshang Taghizadeh, Michael Gholipour, Hamid Akbarzadeh and Reza Akarzadeh and Reza Etebari Rad, in Urmia.

The reason for these arrests and the individuals’ whereabouts are unknown so far.

Yunes Gholizadeh and Hakimeh Ahmadi had previously been arrested and convicted for their civil activities. 

Four Citizens Arrested in Miandoab

On July 16, security forces arrested four residents of Miandoab, West Azerbaijan Province, and transferred them to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Jalal Kudarilu, Mostafa Dolatkhah, Nader Amani, and Naser Heshmati were arrested in Miandoab County.

 Another resident of Miandoab Vali Zohrabi had also been arrested.

The reason for these arrests, the individuals’ whereabouts and the charges are unknown so far.