Category: Freedom of Expression

Meysam Basir Tavana Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fuman, HRANA, Mehran Basir Tavana, Meysam Basir Tavana

On Tuesday, August 6, Meysam Basir Tavana, the brother of Mehran Basir Tavana, who was killed during the nationwide protests in 2022, was arrested and transferred to an unknown location.

Based on reports received by HRANA, so far, the efforts of his family and relatives to find out his whereabouts and latest status have been unsuccessful.

In April of this year, Meysam Basir Tavana, along with two other family members, was arrested and released a few hours later.

In January of 2024, Basir Tavana was summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Fuman.

On November 19, 2022, 29-year-old Mehran Basir Tavana was killed by regime forces’ gunfire during a protest in Someh Sara, Gilan Province.

Varuzh Moradi Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Edris Moradi, HRANA, Kermanshah, Ravansar, Varouj Moradi

Varuzh (Edris) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar, was arrested and transferred to an unknown location on Sunday, August 4, following a summons to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of this county.

A source close to Moradi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Moradi was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence Office of Ravansar County on Sunday, August 4. After appearing at this security institution, he was arrested.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information available on the reasons for the arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges against him.

Varuzh (Varouj) Moradi, a resident of Ravansar in Kermanshah province, has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his activities.

Maryam Mehrabi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, to six years in prison and additional punishments.

Based on a verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammadreza Tavakoli, and delivered to Ms. Mehrabi yesterday, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “inciting people to wage war and killing to undermine national security.” Additionally, she has been sentenced to two years of dismissal from service and a two-year travel ban as complementary punishments.

According to HRANA reports, Mehrabi has been denied access to a lawyer. Another part of her case, concerning the charge of “spreading false information”, is under review by Criminal Court 2 of Isfahan.

Mehrabi was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18th. Recently, she went on a hunger strike in solitary confinement to protest her prolonged detention.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Maryam Mehrabi is a teacher and resident of Isfahan. She is the sister of political prisoner Mahmoud Mehrabi, who was sentenced to death in May this year by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court for “spreading corruption on earth.” His appeal was filed with the Supreme Court in June.

Singer Zara Esmaeili Detained in Legal Uncertainty for Over Nine Days

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Ekbatan town, HRANA, Zahra Esmaeili, Zara Esmaeili

Zara Esmaeili, a singer and resident of Karaj, has been detained for over nine days, with her legal status remaining uncertain. The lack of information about her condition has heightened the concerns of her family and friends.

A source close to her family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Esmaeili was arrested by security forces at her private residence in Karaj on Friday, July 26th. We have no information about her fate and are extremely worried about Zara’s well-being.”

Zara (Zahra) Esmaeili, a 29-year-old resident of Karaj, has performed numerous street performances in various parts of Tehran, such as Ekbatan town and Ferdows Garden.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Esmaeili was subjected to violence and mistreatment by officers the day before her arrest while trying to prevent the arrest of a friend by Tehran’s security police.

So far, there is no information available regarding the reasons for her arrest, her whereabouts, or the charges against her.

Mohammad Nourizad Receives Five Years for New Case While Imprisoned

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Kamal Jafari Yazdi, Mashhad, Mohammad Nourizad, محمد نوریزاد

Mohammad Nourizad, a civil activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison due to a new case recently opened against him during his incarceration.

A page attributed to this civil activist reported that on Sunday, July 21, 2024, a hearing on Mr. Nourizad’s charges was held via video conference in his absence. Consequently, without having the opportunity to defend himself against the charges, he was sentenced to an additional five years in prison. The release of an audio file from prison has been cited as one of the charges against him.

In February of 2024, Nourizad was sentenced to an additional 61 months in prison due to another case opened against him during his imprisonment.

In July 2023, in yet another case, Nourizad was sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

On August 11, 2019, Mohammad Nourizad was arrested by security forces in connection with a letter signed by 14 civil activists calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei and for his presence in front of the building where Kamal Jafari Yazdi’s appeal hearing was held. He was eventually transferred from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to Evin Prison in 2020.

Nourizad’s legal ordeal began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for participating in the drafting of an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In the initial case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. Although the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support for Baha’i citizens in Eyvanki, Semnan Province.

Concerning the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, along with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order.” He also received an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was upheld on appeal as well.

Nourizad was released from Evin Prison on November 17, 2021, based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Nourizad has a history of arrests and convictions linked to his peaceful activism. He is a prominent filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.

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Yousef Ziayi Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, Urmia, Yousef Ziayi, یوسف ضیایی

On Wednesday, July 31, Yousef Ziayi, a resident of Urmia, was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city.

HRANA has identified him as Yousef Ziayi, 44 years old, a father of two, and a resident of Urmia.

A source close to Mr. Ziayi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Ziayi was arrested by agents of Urmia’s Ministry of Intelligence yesterday afternoon.”

The reasons for the arrest and the charges against this citizen are not yet known.

Shakila Monfared Indicted for New Legal Case While Imprisoned

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, IRGC Intelligence, Shakila Monfared, Tehran

An indictment has been issued for Shakila Monfared, a political prisoner, regarding a new case opened against her during her imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Monfared faces a new case in prison filed by Ms. Shaghaghi, the Deputy Prosecutor. On Wednesday, July 24, the indictment for this political prisoner was issued by Tehran’s District 8 Prosecutor’s Office with charges of “destruction of public property and disrupting order.”

On June 26 of this year, while on medical leave, Shakila Monfared was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after appearing at Tehran’s District 8 Prosecutor’s Office to extend her leave, despite her treatment being incomplete and her being subjected to physical assault.

Ms. Monfared was initially arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 31, 2020, while leaving her home. After completing her interrogation at one of the IRGC’s detention centers, she was transferred to Evin Prison. Finally, on September 14, she was released on bail.

The court session for the joint case against Shakila Monfared and two others was held on January 20, 2021, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. After the session, Monfared was re-arrested by IRGC intelligence agents and taken back to prison.

Ultimately, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to six years of imprisonment and four months of compulsory labor in Ministry of Agriculture Jihad for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and blasphemy.” Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court later reduced her sentence to four years and two months of definitive imprisonment.

In January 2022, Ms. Monfared was tried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for another case opened during her imprisonment. In June 2023, Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court sentenced her to two years and eight months of imprisonment for “membership in anti-regime groups” and a fine for “spreading falsehoods.”

It should be noted that on June 6, 2023, Monfared faced new charges for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” but this case was ultimately dismissed.

Additionally, in April of this year, Shakila Monfared was sentenced to twelve months of imprisonment, two years of exile, and additional punishments by Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court for another case opened during her imprisonment.

Shakila Monfared, aged around 31, is a resident of Tehran.

Hora Nikbakht Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Hora Nikbakht, حورا نیکبخت

Hora Nikbakht, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on the verdict recently issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Nikbakht in Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27th, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The court session addressing these charges took place on July 10th in the mentioned branch.

Hora Nikbakht, a resident of Tehran, was arrested on June 12th after appearing at Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Previously, this citizen had been summoned to the aforementioned judicial authority to defend against the assigned charges upon receiving a notice.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Two Members of Mohammad Hassanzadeh’s Family Arrested in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Bukan, Solmaz Hassanzadeh

Kurdpa reports that on July 30, Ahmad Hassanzadeh and Solmaz Hassanzadeh, the father and sister of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, were arrested by security forces in Bukan and taken to an unknown location.

The report states that these individuals were arrested by security forces with physical violence at their private residence in Bukan. The officers also confiscated the mobile phones of the father, daughter, and mother.

According to a source cited in the report, “This family was attempting to hold a ceremony to commemorate the birthday of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed during the 2022 nationwide protests. However, the security agencies prevented this and arrested them.”

As of the time of this report, the whereabouts and the charges against these citizens are unknown.

Ahmad Hassanzadeh and his approximately 30-year-old daughter, Solmaz, were summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Bukan and interrogated on September 5, 2023.

Additionally, Ms. Hassanzadeh was arrested at a checkpoint between Bukan and Saqqez by security forces on September 27 last year and was released shortly thereafter.

It is worth noting that Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old resident of Bukan, was shot by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and succumbed to his injuries on November 16 of the same year.

Ali Rezaie Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Rezaie, Evin Prison, Reza Shafakhah, علی رضایی

Ali Rezaie, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Reza Shafakhah, Mr. Rezaie’s defense attorney, announced this news and wrote: “My client Ali Rezaie, who was arrested during the 2022 protests while still a teenager, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.”

Ali Rezaie, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces at his residence on December 4, 2022, in connection with the nationwide protests. Following his arrest, he was initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, and eventually transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. After one year, he was released from this prison on bail.

Last November, Reza Shafakhah provided an update on his client’s case: “My client was under 18 years old at the time of his arrest. After his case was referred to the Revolutionary Court, we challenged the jurisdiction of the court and requested that the case be referred to the juvenile court. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court made its decision and recognized Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court as competent to handle the case.”

Previously, the indictment against Mr. Rezaie was issued on charges of “assaulting a police officer” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.”