Category: Freedom of Expression

Nasrin Shakarami Arrested in Khorramabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khorramabad, Nasrin Shakarami, Nika Shakarami, Tehran

On October 16, Nasrin Shakarami, the mother of Nika Shakarami—who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests—was arrested in Khorramabad.

Her daughter, Aida Shakarami, confirmed the arrest but stated that the reason for the detention and any charges against Nasrin remain unclear. As of now, Nasrin’s location is also unknown.

Nika Shakarami, a 17-year-old from Khorramabad, lost her life during the 2022 protests in Tehran. Behesht Zahra Cemetery later attributed her death to “multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma.”

Six Political Activists Sentenced to Over 50 Years in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, and Araz Aman, Ayaz Seyfkhah, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Bagher Haji-Zadeh, Hossein Piri, Kamal Nouri, Salavati

Kamal Nouri, Ayaz Seyfkhah, Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Bagher Haji-Zadeh, Hossein Piri, and Araz Aman, all Azerbaijani-Turk activists, have been sentenced to a combined 53 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict, issued on Wednesday, October 16, by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, details the following sentences:

  • Hossein Piri: Five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”
  • Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim: One year for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”
  • Araz Aman, Ayaz Seyfkhah, and Bagher Haji-Zadeh: Each sentenced to eight years for “espionage” and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”
  • Kamal Nouri: Three years, with two years of his sentence suspended.

Nouri, Seyfkhah, Azimi Ghadim, Haji-Zadeh, and Aman were arrested by security forces in February of last year and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

Update on the Latest Status of Journalist Reza Valizadeh in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Abolqasem Salavati, Evin Prison, Reza Valizadeh

Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian journalist, has been arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after returning to Iran. Despite his extensive background with various media outlets, Valizadeh has been denied access to a lawyer since his detention.

Having lived abroad for several years, Valizadeh returned to Iran in February-March last year. Upon his arrival, he was interrogated by agents from the IRGC’s Intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence. Although released after making a formal pledge to appear for future proceedings, it has been reported that several months later, he was rearrested by a security agency roughly one month ago and sent to Evin Prison. Authorities have still not granted him legal representation.

A source close to Valizadeh’s family revealed that his case is currently being handled by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, overseen by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. To date, the specific charges against him remain undisclosed.

Prior to leaving Iran, Valizadeh was arrested in 2007 and later released on bail. He is suspected to hold dual citizenship and has worked with media organizations such as Radio France, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Zahra Sajedinia Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Urmia prison, Zahra Sajedinia

Zahra Sajedinia, a resident of Bukan, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Criminal Court of this city, according to Kolbar News.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Bukan and delivered to Ms. Sajedinia on September 29, she was sentenced to 10 months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Sajedinia was arrested by security forces on July 31 of this year. She was later released from Urmia prison on bail after completing her interrogation.

Zahra Sajedinia, 38 years old, is married, a mother of three, and a resident of Bukan.

Mahsa Jalal Badiei Transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht to Serve Her Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Lakan prison, Mahsa Jalal Badiei, Rasht

Mahsa Jalal Badiei, a resident of Rasht, was arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht on Sunday, October 13, to serve her prison sentence.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that “Ms. Badiei was arrested on Sunday, October 13, after reporting to branch 5 of the Enforcement Office of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht and was transferred to prison.” She had previously been summoned to this branch via a court notification.

On May 13 of this year, Ms. Badiei was arrested by security forces and released six days later after posting bail.

She was later sentenced by the Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi, to seven months and 16 days in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and to three years and six months in prison for “conducting educational and promotional activities against Islamic Shaira.” Additionally, she was deprived of her social rights for 10 years.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment—three years and six months in prison—will be enforced.

According to information obtained by HRANA, her conviction stemmed from online activities including converting banned books into audio files and distributing them, supporting political figures, and participating in nationwide protests in 2022.

Badiei, born in 1985, is a mother of one child.

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Manijeh Khoshnoud Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Manijeh Khoshnoud

Manijeh Khoshnoud, a resident of Bukan, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Criminal Court of Bukan, according to Kurdpa.

The sentence, issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Bukan and delivered to Khoshnoud yesterday, convicts her of “propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a 10-month prison sentence.

Manijeh Khoshnoud, 56, was arrested by security forces on July 31, 2024.

She was eventually released on bail from Bukan Prison on September 5, 2024.

Attorney Mehdi Karimi Farsi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Mazloumi, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, an attorney, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, and communicated to the attorney today, he has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

On February 5, 2024, a court hearing was held for Mr. Karimi Farsi and two other attorneys in the same court.

Previously, he had been summoned to the court after receiving a notice to defend himself against the charge.

Karimi Farsi, an attorney and member of the Central Bar Association, gained widespread attention in August 2023 when he staged a protest march through a lengthy route in Tehran to advocate for the independence of the Bar Association. His demonstration resonated strongly with attorneys across Iran, sparking significant discussion and support within the legal community.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Mohammad Habibi

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
mohammad habibi, Ramin Safarnia, Shahriar Revolutionary Court, Tehran

Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld the six-month and one-day prison sentence of Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Teachers’ Union, leaving the original verdict unchanged.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the court reaffirmed Habibi’s sentence, which had been issued by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court. He was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

Habibi’s defense attorney, Ramin Safarnia, stated: “Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals rejected our appeal and confirmed the sentence of my client, Mohammad Habibi, handed down by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court for propaganda against the regime.”

The initial trial for this case took place on June 29, 2023.

On April 5, 2023, Habibi was arrested at his workplace in Tehran by security agents due to his protest posts regarding the serial poisoning attacks on schools across the country. He was eventually released on May 20 of the same year from Ward 209 of Evin Prison after posting bail.

It is worth noting that this spokesperson for the Teachers’ Trade Association was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran on April 30, 2022, ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week in Iran and a protest gathering of educators. He was released from Evin Prison on February 8 of the following year.

In October 2022, he was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years and seven months in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” a two-year ban on activities and membership in groups, and a travel ban.

Habibi has a history of arrests and convictions due to his activities.

Teacher Union Activist Iraj Toubaeiha Sentenced to Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Iraj Toubaeiha, Isfahan, Najafabad, Najafabadi, ایرج توبه ایها

Iraj Toubaeiha (Najafabadi), a member of the Najafabad Teachers’ Trade Association, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined by the Isfahan Appeals Court. This sentence follows a prior ruling where he was sentenced to six years in prison, two years of exile, and an additional fine in a separate part of his case.

According to the recent verdict from Branch 34, the two-year prison sentence and fine for Mr. Toubaeiha have been upheld. Earlier, Branch 102 of the Najafabad Criminal Court convicted him of “spreading false information with the intent to disturb public opinion,” resulting in a two-year prison term and a fine of 10 million Tomans.

In another part of his case, in May of this year, Toubaeiha was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Najafabad Revolutionary Court to six years of imprisonment, two years of exile, and a fine. This decision was later confirmed by Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court.

Toubaeiha has a history of previous arrests, having been detained for 35 days in the fall of 2022, 5 days in the spring of 2023, and 13 days in the fall of 2023.

Hassan Abbasi and Farshid Ma’naie Indicted

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, Farshid Ma’naie, Hassan Abbasi, حسن عباسی, فرشید معنایی

The Fourth Branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Bandar Abbas has issued arrest warrants for Hassan Abbasi, a journalist, and Farshid Ma’naie, the CEO of the Hormozgan Spinal Cord Injury Association.

Abbasi revealed that the Prosecutor’s Office found both him and Ma’naie guilty of “making false statements and spreading misinformation.” In 2022, the Bandar Abbas Prosecutor initiated legal action against them over their criticism of the judiciary.

Additionally, Abbasi faces further complaints from multiple entities, including the Welfare Organization, the Governor’s Office, the General Department of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, as well as the Hormozgan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture.

Recently, Abbasi received a summons from the prosecutor’s office for his final defense on charges of “disturbing public order, defamation, insulting officials and agents, and spreading false information.” He was called to present his defense before the court.

On May 21, 2024, security forces detained Abbasi in Bandar Abbas. However, he was released after several hours.

Abbasi has a history of arrests and legal challenges due to his professional activities. He is currently an editorial board member of Tabnak, a news website, and a member of the Tehran Journalists Association, with past collaborations including work with Mehr News Agency.