Category: Freedom of Expression

Three Women’s Rights Activists Arrested to Serve Prison Sentences

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Hooman Taheri, Jelveh Javaheri, Lakan prison, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaei, Rasht, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Siah, Yasamin Heshdari, Zahra Dadras

On Wednesday, July 17, Hooman Taheri, Sara Jahani, and Yasamin Heshdari, three women’s rights activists in Gilan, were arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht after reporting to the Enforcement of Judgments department.

A source close to one of the activists’ families confirmed this news to HRANA, saying, “These individuals were summoned to the Enforcement of Judgments department of the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office simultaneously with the arrest of Zahra (Fatemeh) Dadras on July 10.”
The case of these individuals, along with eight other women’s rights activists in Gilan named Forough Saminia, Zahra (Fatemeh) Dadras, Zahra Dadras, Shiva Shah-Siah, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavoshian, Matin Yazdani, and Jelveh Javaheri, was referred to the Enforcement of Judgments department in late June this year.

These eleven women’s rights activists were separately arrested by security forces in Gilan on August 16 and 17, 2023. Zahra Dadras was released on bail from Lakan Prison on September 17 of last year, and Zohreh Dadras was released on October 1 of the same year.

On February 29, 2024, a court session was held to address the charges against them in a joint case at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi. Their initial verdicts were issued by this branch in early March of this year.

Their sentences were confirmed on May 28 of this year by Branch 11 of the Gilan Provincial Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran Agideh.

According to the issued verdict, Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years, six months, and two days in prison for “forming a group to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Zahra Dadras was sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison for “membership in a group and assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

Additionally, other defendants in this case were also sentenced to prison. Farough Samiei Nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Siah, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavooshian, and Matin Yazdani were each sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison, while Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri were each sentenced to one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

Journalist Salaheddin Khalaj Asadi Sentenced to Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRA, Markazi Province, Salaheddin Khalaj Asadi, خلج اسدی

Journalist Salahuddin Khalaj Asadi has been sentenced to forty lashes by the Appeals Court of Markazi Province.

This journalist reported that the case was filed following a complaint by Masoud Pirayesh, Director General of the Sports and Youth Department of Markazi Province. Mr. Khalaj Asadi was sentenced to forty lashes on the charge of insulting a government official.

Khalaj Asadi also announced that he was acquitted of the charges of “personal insult, defamation, and spreading falsehoods.”

It is crucial to note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Amjad Bakhtiari Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Amjad Bakhtiari, Dehgolan, امجد بختیاری

Amjad Bakhtiari, a teacher residing in Dehgolan and one of the detainees from the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced by the criminal court of Dehgolan to one year of imprisonment and 74 lashes, according to the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations.

The report states that Mr. Bakhtiari was arrested by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and was released on bail shortly after.

Ali-Allah Veisi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ali Allah Veisi, Kurdpa, Sanandaj, علی الله ویسی

On Sunday, July 14, Ali Allah Veisi, a former political prisoner, was arrested by security forces in Sanandaj and taken to an undisclosed location, as reported by Kurdpa.

According to this report, the agents arrested the former political prisoner without presenting a judicial warrant and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

At the time of this writing, no information has been obtained about the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

It is worth noting that in May 2022, Veisi was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Saeedi, to two years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime and cooperation with one of the political opposition parties.” Branch 4 of the Kurdistan Court of Appeals eventually sentenced him to four years of suspended imprisonment and five months in prison.

This Sanandaj resident began serving his sentence in September 2022 in the city’s prison. He was released five months later upon completing his sentence.

Political Prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj Revolutionary Court, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, زرتشت احمدی راغب

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a political prisoner held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years in exile in connection with a new case opened against him during his imprisonment.

Based on a verdict issued in absentia by Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, and recently communicated to Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb in Ghezel Hesar Prison, he has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years of exile in Qeydar, located in Zanjan province, on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”
A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb was recently transferred to solitary confinement and, upon returning to the public ward last week, was notified of the new sentence. This case was initiated during his imprisonment following a complaint by Ghezel Hesar Prison officials against him.”

Ahmadi Ragheb’s arrest took place in March 2023, leading to his incarceration in Evin Prison. In May 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran imposed a five-year and eight-month prison sentence along with additional penalties. Notably, five years of this term are currently enforceable.

In September of the same year, he, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Ahmadi Ragheb has a history of previous convictions and imprisonments due to his commitment to peaceful activism.

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Six Women’s Rights Activists Arrested to Serve Prison Sentences

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Gilan, Hooman Taheri, Jalveh Javaheri, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Shiva Shah Sia, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

On Saturday, July 13th, Matin Yazdani, Forough Saminia, Jalveh Javaheri, Negin Rezaie, Shiva Shah Sia, and Azadeh Chavoshian, women’s rights activists in Gilan, were arrested to serve their prison sentences and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Based on this report, these women’s rights advocates were arrested to serve their sentences and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. Their cases, along with those of five other women’s rights activists in Gilan named Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras, and Hooman Taheri, were referred to the Enforcement of Judgments department in late June of this year.

These eleven women’s rights activists were separately arrested by security forces in Gilan on August 16 and 17, 2023. Zahra Dadras was released on bail from Lakan Prison on September 17 of last year, and Zohreh Dadras was released on October 1 of the same year.

On February 29, 2024, a court session was held to address the charges against them in a joint case at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi. Their initial verdicts were issued by this branch in early March of this year.

Their sentences were confirmed on May 28 of this year by Branch 11 of the Gilan Provincial Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran Agideh.

According to the issued verdict, Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years, six months, and two days in prison for “forming a group to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Zahra Dadras was sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison for “membership in a group and assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

Additionally, other defendants in this case were also sentenced to prison. Farough Samiei Nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Siah, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavooshian, and Matin Yazdani were each sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison, while Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri were each sentenced to one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

Judicial Case Filed Against Former Political Prisoner Fariba Asadi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Asadi, Fereshteh Khadem, HRANA, Kachooie Prison, Mohammadshahr Revolutionary Court, Qarchak Prison, فریبا اسدی

Fariba Asadi, a former political prisoner who was released from prison in February 2023 after serving a previous sentence, is now facing a new judicial case.

A knowledgeable source close to Asadi confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that this case was opened following a complaint by Fereshteh Khadem, an official of the Mohammadshahr Revolutionary Court. The charges against Ms. Asadi include “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” “disrupting public order and peace,” “public display of sinful acts,” “insulting officials and agents,” “intentional assault and battery,” and “insulting ordinary people.”

This source added that Fereshteh Khadem had previously filed a complaint against Ms. Asadi, which was closed with a no-prosecution ruling. The trial for Fariba Asadi’s new charges is scheduled for July 21, at the Mohammadshahr Criminal Court 2.

Asadi was previously arrested along with three co-defendants in February 2021 by security forces on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in anti-regime groups.” She was released on bail after a while. In October 2021, she was sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In January 2022, she began serving her sentence in Qarchak Varamin Prison. She was ultimately released from Evin Prison in late February 2023 following an amnesty directive.

She was arrested again in September last year in connection with another case and released on bail from Kachouei Prison in Karaj in March of the same year.

Lawyer Mehdi Shakibafar Sentenced to Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Markazi Province, Mehdi Shakibafar

Mehdi Shakibafar, an attorney, has been sentenced to twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment by Branch 9 of the Central Province Court of Appeals.

Based on a recent ruling issued by Branch 9 of the Court of Appeals in Markazi Province and communicated to Mr. Shakibafar, he has been sentenced to fifteen months and one day in prison for the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and seven months and sixteen days in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” totaling twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment.

Previously, this attorney had been acquitted of the charges in the initial court, but following the prosecutor’s objection that “the acquittal will embolden the defendant,” his case was reviewed again.

Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Mohammad Reza Shoghi, محمدرضا شوقی

On Wednesday, July 10, Mohammad-Reza Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was arrested by security forces in the city.

A source close to his family confirmed this news to HRANA, saying: “This morning, Mohammad Reza Shoghi was arrested after an appearance at the Security Police office in Gorgan. Mr. Shoghi had previously been summoned to this security agency by phone.”

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the charges and reasons for the arrest of this resident of Gorgan.

Mohammad Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

Women’s Rights Activists Zohreh and Zahra Dadras Arrested to Commence Serving Their Sentences

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Gilan province, Hooman Taheri, Jelveh Javaheri, Lakan prison, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Rasht, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Sia, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

Zahra (Fatemeh) Dadras and Zohreh Dadras, women’s rights activists in Gilan province, were arrested to serve their prison sentences and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht on July 10, 2024.

Abolfazl Ghorbani, the lawyer for these two women’s rights activists, announced: “At 9 AM today, Zohreh (Fatemeh) Dadras was detained and transferred to the Enforcement of Judgments department without prior summons or notice. Similarly, Zahra Dadras was arrested at 12 PM today after appearing at the Criminal Sentences Execution branch. Both sisters were then transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.”

Hirakani News Agency announced today that the other nine defendants in this case, Forough Saminia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaie, Azadeh Chavoshian, Matin Yazdani, Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri, have also been summoned to the Revolutionary the Enforcement of Judgments office in Rasht by phone.

These women’s rights activists were separately arrested by security forces in Gilan on August 16 and 17, 2023. Zahra Dadras was released on bail from Lakan Prison on September 17 of last year, and Zohreh Dadras was released on October 1 of the same year.

On February 29, 2024, a court session was held to address the charges against them in a joint case at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi. Their initial verdicts were issued by this branch in early March of this year.

Their sentences were confirmed on May 28 of this year by Branch 11 of the Gilan Provincial Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran Agideh.

According to the issued verdict, Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years, six months, and two days in prison for “forming a group to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Zahra Dadras was sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison for “membership in a group and assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

Additionally, other defendants in this case were also sentenced to prison. Farough Samiei Nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Siah, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavooshian, and Matin Yazdani were each sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison, while Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri were each sentenced to one year for “propaganda against the regime.”