Category: Freedom of Expression

Revolutionary Court Sentences Sajjad Sadeghi to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Sajjad Sadeghi, سجاد صادقی

Sajjad Sadeghi, former radio host and expert, has been sentenced in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years and six months in prison, along with social deprivations.

The ruling, issued in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court under Judge Iman Afshari and communicated to Mr. Sadeghi, includes one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and four years and six months for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” with previous detention time considered. He has also been sentenced to a 10-year ban on teaching and conducting research at universities as an additional punishment. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment—four years and six months in prison—will be enforceable.

The court hearing for Sajjad Sadeghi’s charges was held on December 2 of 2024 in the aforementioned judicial branch.

In September, Mr. Sadeghi was arrested in Tehran by security forces and later released.

Sajjad Sadeghi has previously faced legal actions due to his activities, including prior detention and a sentence of 74 lashes.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA reported a total of 81 cases where Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, issued verdicts that violated the human rights of defendants.

Italian Female Journalist Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Cecilia Sala, Evin Prison, Tehran, Zeinab Mousavi

Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the arrest of Cecilia Sala, a 29-year-old Italian journalist, in Tehran. Sala was detained on December 19, 2024.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the Ministry confirmed Sala’s identity and reported that she has made two phone calls to her family since her arrest. On Friday, December 27, Italy’s Ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadi, visited her in prison.

Italian media have revealed that Sala is being held in solitary confinement at Evin Prison. They have linked her arrest to her reporting on Iran, including her recent publications critical of the regime.

Shortly before her detention, Sala had conducted and published an interview with Zeinab Mousavi, an Iranian comedian and creator of the character “Emperor Kuzco.”

Kermanshah: Brother of 2022 Protest Victim Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ebrahim Gol-Anbar, Esmail Gol Anbar, HRANA, Javanrud, ابراهیم گل عنبر

Ebrahim Gol-Anbar, a resident of Javanrud and the brother of Esmail Gol-Anbar, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. He was taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Mr. Gol-Anbar was detained near Bistoon while traveling with his family from Tehran to Javanrud, Kermanshah province. The arrest reportedly occurred without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available about the reasons for his arrest, his current location, or the charges against him.

Esmail Gol-Anbar, Ebrahim’s brother, was killed on November 21, 2022, during a funeral in Javanrud for two victims of the nationwide protests. He was shot and killed by security forces on Behdari Street in the city.

Teacher Ahmad Derakhshan Sentenced to One Year in Prison and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Ahmad Derakhshan, Karaj, revolutionary court, احمد درخشان

Ahmad Derakhshan, a teacher and writer, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to supplementary penalties, including a two-year ban on membership in social groups, a two-year travel ban, prohibition from teaching, and dismissal from governmental and public services for two years following the completion of his prison sentence.

The verdict was recently issued and verbally communicated to Derakhshan’s lawyer.

In September 2024, Derakhshan was summoned to Branch 13 of the Karaj Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, where he was formally charged. He was released shortly thereafter on bail.

Ahmad Derakhshan, a resident of Karaj, has faced repeated summons and interrogations regarding this case. In November 2024, a court session was held to examine the charges against him.

Derakhshan, known for his work as both a teacher and writer, has long been an advocate for educational and social issues, making his sentencing a matter of concern for those monitoring human rights in Iran.

Attorney Khosrow Alikordi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi, Khosrow Alikurdi, Mashhad, Nahbandan, Vakilabad prison, خسرو علیکردی

Yesterday, attorney Khosrow Alikordi, who was serving his sentence under a semi-open prison arrangement, was arrested after being summoned by the supervising judge of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, Alikordi, who was serving his sentence under a semi-open arrangement, was summoned by the supervising judge of Vakilabad Prison and taken into custody. His whereabouts remain unknown.

On August 1, 2023, Alikordi was initially arrested after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. He was transferred to Vakilabad Prison but released on bail after five days.

In January 2024, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, sentenced Alikordi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.” As additional penalties, he was sentenced to two years of exile in Nahbandan, two years of a travel ban, two years of prohibition from practicing law, and two years of a social media ban. The sentence was upheld by Branch 35 of the Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals in January 2024.

In a separate case, Branch 131 of the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Alikordi to a fine of 15 million tomans for “spreading false information and failing to maintain confidentiality.” This sentence was also upheld on appeal.

In early-February 2024, Alikordi was summoned by the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office in connection with another case and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison to serve his one-year prison sentence.

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Death Sentence Overturned; Shahab Nadali Jozani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Shahab Nadali Jozani

Following the overturning of Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence by the Supreme Court, his case was reviewed by a parallel court. The political prisoner, currently held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to four years in prison and five years of exile to the city of Na’in.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence has been replaced with imprisonment and exile.

After the Supreme Court’s Branch 39 overturned his death sentence, Nadali’s case was retried in a parallel branch. He was convicted of moharebeh (waging war against God) for “damaging public property with the intent to confront the Islamic Republic.” This conviction led to a five-year exile to Na’in, Isfahan Province, under strict conditions preventing social interaction or contact with others. Additionally, he received a four-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” His previous detention period will count toward his prison term.

The verdict, issued by the Revolutionary Court on December 10, 2023, can be appealed in the Supreme Court within 20 days of its issuance.

The retrial session for Nadali was held on December 3, 2023.

Shahab Nadali Jozani was arrested on June 6, 2023, by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Hamedan and is currently detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In February 2024, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, had sentenced Nadali to death for “rebellion through membership in opposition groups (the Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization)” and to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Now 42 years old, Nadali is married and the father of a 13-year-old daughter.

Artist Moein Robati Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behshahr, Moein Robati, معین رباطی

Moein Robati, a Behshahr-based artist, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court in the city.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the verdict was issued by Ali Gheisari Atrabi, head of Branch 103 of the Second Criminal Court and a Revolutionary Court judge in Behshahr. Robati was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The trial was held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Revolutionary Court, operating within Behshahr’s Second Criminal Court.

Robati was originally arrested at his home by security forces in September 2024. He was released shortly afterward on bail.

In an earlier case from 2021, Robati received a one-year prison sentence for producing and sharing a widely viewed video on social media. However, this sentence remains suspended due to his medical condition, pending a review by a medical commission.

Moein Hosseinpour Robati, a lyricist and filmmaker, has faced previous detentions and judicial convictions related to his artistic activities and expression.

Majid Tavakoli Sentenced to Two Years in Prison Following Supreme Court Retrial

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Majid Tavakoli, Tehran

Political activist Majid Tavakoli has been sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. The ruling also imposes additional penalties, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran, and engaging in online activities. This decision comes after the Supreme Court overturned a previous six-year prison sentence and ordered a retrial.

A source close to Tavakoli’s family told HRANA: “Following the appeal by Mr. Tavakoli’s lawyers against his initial six-year prison sentence issued in January 2024, the case was referred to the Supreme Court after being accepted for retrial by Branch 54 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court subsequently annulled the original verdict and sent the case to a parallel branch for reconsideration. Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals ultimately sentenced him to two years in prison for ‘assembly and collusion against national security.’ The complementary penalties, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran, and online activities, were also upheld.”

Tavakoli was arrested in Tehran by security forces on September 23, 2022, during the nationwide protests. He was released on bail on December 19, 2022.

In July 2023, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also issued a two-year ban on online activities, residency in Tehran, and international travel. This verdict was later upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals in late August 2023.

Tavakoli began serving his sentence in Evin Prison on October 7, 2023. However, following a temporary suspension of his prison term, he was released on bail in August 2023 pending further judicial review.

Majid Tavakoli is a well-known political activist with a history of arrests and convictions linked to his advocacy work.

Singer Parastoo Ahmadi and Musicians Charged Over Virtual Concert

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Ahmadi, Ehsan Beyraghdar, Parastoo Ahmadi, Soheil Faghih-Nasiri

Parastoo Ahmadi, a singer, along with musicians previously arrested for holding an virtual concert, were summoned to Tehran’s District 38 Morality Court today to face charges. They were released on bail after the hearing.

Ahmadi’s bail was set at 3 billion tomans, while each musician’s bail was set at 2 billion tomans. The specific charges against them have not been disclosed.

Background on the Case

Ahmadi, pianist Ehsan Beyraghdar, and electric guitarist Soheil Faghih-Nasiri recently staged an audience-free concert streamed live on Ahmadi’s YouTube channel. The concert, which took place in an old caravanserai, sparked judicial action against them.

Shortly after the concert, Ahmadi and the two musicians were arrested. Tasnim News Agency reported that the head of the Information Center for Mazandaran’s Police Command accused Ahmadi of “producing and disseminating videos that violate societal norms and values,” leading to her summons by Public Security Police and subsequent referral to the judiciary.

On December 14, the two musicians were released on bail, followed by Ahmadi at 3 a.m. the following day.

About Parastoo Ahmadi

Parastoo Ahmadi, 27, is a singer and graduate of directing from Soore University. She gained recognition during the 2022 protests with her rendition of “Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan” by Aref Qazvini. Ahmadi’s repertoire includes a variety of musical works, such as renditions of Mazandaran folk songs and pieces by Baba Taher and Akhavan Sales.

Follow-up Report: Number of Detainees from Sunday in Mahabad Rises to 11

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Aram Mabzooleh, Ayoub Rasouli, Ghader Kharamanfar, Jalal Sadafi, Kamal Masoudi, Mahabad, Othman Jahanifar, Rahman Dana, Ribvar Rasouli, Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi, Yousef Ghal, Zaniar Seyed-Ahmadi

With the identification of four additional citizens named Othman Jahanifar, Ayoub Rasouli, Ribvar Rasouli, and Rahman Dana, the number of individuals arrested by security forces in Mahabad on Sunday, December 15, has increased to at least 11.

Other detainees from that day include Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi, Kamal Masoudi, Jalal Sadafi, Ghader Kharamanfar, Yousef Ghal, Aram Mabzooleh, and Zaniar Seyed-Ahmadi. Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi was released a few hours after his arrest.

The arrests were carried out by security forces without presenting judicial warrants and involved searches of the detainees’ homes. Following their detention, the individuals were transferred to a security detention facility in Urmia.

As of now, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for the arrests or the charges brought against these citizens.