Category: Freedom of Expression

Amir Hossein Pour-Effatian Arrested By Security Forces in Rasht City

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Hossein Pour-Effatian

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, security forces arrested Amir Hossein Pour-Effatian in Rasht City. The agents searched his house and confiscated some of his personal belongings including his computer hard drive, laptop and some books.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Amir Hossein Pour-Effatian, age 25, a resident of Rasht, was arrested by security forces.

Since the arrest, Pour-Effatian was allowed once to have a short call to his family.

According to an informed source, earlier he had been summoned through a phone call to be at the Ministry of Intelligence office for giving an explanation regarding the charges of “membership in a political opposition party, illegal border crossing and propaganda against the regime.”

22 Citizens Sentenced to Total of 160 Years and 1480 lashes for Protesting against Water Transfer Project

Posted on by A MN
Environment, Freedom of Expression, News
Boroujen, SabzKuh

Recently, Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of Boroujen County sentenced 22 citizens to a total of 160 years imprisonment, 1480 lashes and fines for a protest that took place seven years ago against an under-construction water transfer project channeling water from Sabzkuh to Boroujen.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in Boroujen County, 22 citizens were sentenced to imprisonment and flogging for a peaceful protest against a water transfer project.

Twenty citizens were sentenced each to one year and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing public order” and 7 years in prison on the charge of “destruction of public property”. Two other citizens were sentenced each to a fine in the amount of 2 million tomans as an alternative to three months imprisonment. Based on these verdicts, the prison sentences 10 citizens to be suspended for two years.

An informed source told HRANA that: “In 2015, these citizens protested against the digging of a water transfer tunnel, at the headspring Alugareh and the construction site by holding symbolic mourning ceremonies. The project did not have permits from the Department of Environment. The protestors rejected all accusations from the beginning” 

Nonetheless, in 2020, the Public and Revolutionary Court of Boroujen found these citizens guilty.

Former Prisoner of Conscience Soheil Arabi Summoned for Two Years Imprisonment

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Behnam Moosivand, Mehdi Meskin Navaz, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Soheil Arabi

On Thursday, April 8, 2022, former prisoner of conscience Soheil Arabi was summoned to Branch 1 of the Judgment Enforcement Unit of the Public and Revolutionary Court for sentencing.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, April 8, 2022, Soheil Arabi was summoned to appear for his two-year sentencing. According to the summons, he should appear at branch 1 of the Judgment Enforcement Unit (Zone 33 of Tehran) within 10 days.

Earlier, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years imprisonment, paying a fine in the amount of 5 million tomans on the charge of “spreading lies with the purpose of disturbing the public opinion.” As additional punishment, Arabi has been banned from leaving the country without a judicial permit. Also, he should appear once every three times at the Supervision and Follow-up office of the Judiciary. This verdict was upheld on appeal by the Court of Appeals of Tehran Province.

In October of 2021, in a new legal case, along with Mehdi Meskin-Navaz, Reza Mohammad Hosseini and Behnam Moosivand, Arabi was indicted for “propaganda against the regime, offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran and disturbing prison order.” At the time, he was imprisoned

Soheil Arabi has been detained and imprisoned from November 7 2013 to November 16 2021, when he was released from Rajai Shahr prison after serving his sentence. However, for this latest conviction, he will likely return to prison.

 

Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Oshnavieh, Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi

Following a series of convictions against some residents of Oshnavieh County in West Azerbaijan Province, the Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh sentenced Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi, the resident of Oshnavieh County, to six months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News Outlet, Vahed Sheikh Mohammadi, the resident of  Oshnavieh was sentenced to six months on the charge of “collaboration with an anti-regime party”.

On January 30, 2021, security forces arrested Mr Sheikh Mohammadi and transferred him to a detention centre in Urmia. On March 10, 2021, he was relocated from there to Urmia Prison. Three days later, he was released on bail until the end of the legal proceeding.

Workers’ Rights Activist Alieh Eghdam-Doost Still in Detention After Two Months

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Women
Alieh Eghdam Doost, Fuman, workers rights activist

After two months, workers’ rights activist Alieh Eghdam-Doost is still in detention in Women’s Ward of Evin Prison as she is unable to afford the bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Alieh Eghdam-Doost has been detained in Evin Prison for the past two months.

Last month, on his personal page on social media, Ramin Safarnia, her lawyer, informed that Mrs Eghdam-Doost has been granted bail. But so far, she and her family have not been able to provide the bail. 

On February 7 of 2022, security forces arrested Eghdam-Doost at her house in Fuman City. This arrest was made under the warrant issued by Branch 2 of Fuman’s Courthouse on behalf of Evin Courthouse. Reportedly, Eghdam-Doost has been charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Alieh Eghdam-Doost, 69, is a workers’ rights activist and has faced other arrests and convictions before.

 

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Civil Activist Farideh Moradkhani Still in Detention after Three Months

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Farideh Moradkhani, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

After three months, civil activist Farideh Moradkhani is still detained in an uncertain condition in a solitary confinement cell in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On January 13, 2022, intelligence agents in Tehran arrested Mrs Moradkhani.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, civil activist Farideh Moradkhani was still in unlawful detention awaiting further legal proceedings in Evin prison.

On January 13, 2022, she was arrested by security forces while returning to her house. At the time of her arrest, the intelligence agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings. One day after, in a phone call, she informed her family that she was detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

The reason for this arrest and the charges she has faced are still unknown.

She had also been arrested on previous occasions due to her civil activities.

 

Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi Sentenced to Imprisonment

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Heidar Alizadeh, Oshnavieh, Shirzad Mamandi

Following mass convictions against some residents of Oshnavieh County in West Azerbaijan Province, Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of this County sentenced Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi to a total of 6 years imprisonment. These individuals had been arrested in late August of 2021 and subsequently were released on bail. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa News Outlet, Heidar Alizadeh and Shirzad Mamandi were sentenced respectively to four and two years imprisonment on the charge of “collaboration with an anti-regime party”. This verdict was issued last Tuesday, April 5.

On August 29, 2021, security forces arrested and detained them in a detention center in Urmia. At the time of arrest, the agents searched their houses and confiscated some of their belongings including their phones. In October of last year, they were released on bail.

Abdollah Childavi Arrested in Ahvaz City

Posted on by A MN
Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Childavi, Saleh Tamuli, Sheiban Prison

On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Abdollah Childavi, a resident of Ahvaz city. The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz had previously sentenced him to five years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Abdollah Childavi in Ahvaz city.

Earlier, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz had sentenced him to five years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and membership in anti-regime groups”. In this case, another defendant, Saleh Tamuli was sentenced to 3 years in prison on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security.” This case had been handed over to Branch 8 of the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Ahvaz for enforcement.  

On November 6, 2018, security forces arrested them and sent the two individuals to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz after completing the interrogation process. Mr. Tamuli was released on September 7, 2019, and Mr. Childavi on October 6, 2020.

Abdollah Childavi is 43 years old and the father of four.

Amin Ansarifar and Arman Ansarifar Sentenced to Imprisonment and Not Allowed to Leave the Country

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Ansarifar, Arman Ansarifar, Farzad Ansarifar, Fereshteh Tabanian

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Amin Ansarifar and Arman Ansarifar each to three years imprisonment and five years ban from leaving the country. Amin and Arman Ansarifar are the father and brother of Farzad Ansarifar who was killed by regime forces during the 2019 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Amin Ansarifar and Arman Ansarifar were sentenced to three months in prison and five years ban from leaving the country by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr.

The Court session had been held on March 14, 2022, via a video conference with their lawyer, Fereshteh Tabanian. Two days after the court session, they were released on bail of 150 million tomans.

On February 19, 2022, Amin Ansarifar was summoned by Behbahan’s Public and Revolutionary Court and arrested when he appeared. The next day, his son, Arman was arrested by security forces at his home in Behbahan city. According to an informed source, Arman has been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and his father with “promotion of anti-regime groups and political parties.” They have been denied family visitation since the arrest.

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

Four Women’s Rights Activists Summoned for Sentencing

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Women
Akram Nasirian, Asrin Darkaleh, Maryam Mohammadi, Nahid Shaghaghi

Four women’s rights activists, Nahid Shaghaghi, Akram Nasirian, Maryam Mohammadi and Asrin Darkaleh were summoned by the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin courthouse for sentencing. According to the summons letter, they have to appear at the court within 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Four women’s rights activists, Akram Nasirian, Maryam Mohammadi and Asrin Darkaleh have been summoned for sentencing.

Akram Nasirian on April 29, 2019, Nahid Shaghaghi on May 15, 2019, Maryam Mohammadi on July 8, 2019, and Asrin Darkaleh on July 28, 2019, were arrested by security forces. They all were released on bail from May to August.

Subsequently, Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced each of these activists to 3 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security”, 6 months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 8 months on the charge of “removing Hijab in public”. Per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment of three years sentence on the first count was enforceable for each.

The sentencing was later reduced on appeal to two years and three months each.

These four activists are members of “Voice of Iranian Women”, striving for women’s empowerment and raising the voice of Iranian women.